Calcium w/o milk? x-posted in Nutrition

[InstinctiveMama]

My almost 3.5 yo weaned in the last several weeks. He has never had cow's milk to drink. He eats lots of cheese and loves fresh veggies like sweet peppers (especially calcium-packed red). What other foods can I be on the look out for to make sure my little guy gets the calcium he needs?

Also, any idea how much calcium is enough?

[JBaxter]

Nathan doesnt drink milk either. He loves the yobaby drinkable yogurt and we buy calicum fortified orange juice. He also loves cheese and veggies.

[LovemyBoo]

Are you vegetarian? If not, home-made bone broth (chicken, turkey, beef) is an excellent source of calcium.

Otherwise there's collard greens, kale, brocolli, almonds, molasses, maple syrup, chik peas/garbanzo beans, beans, pistachios, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and watercress.

[veganf]

You say he eats "lots" of cheese, so he's probably getting plenty. But cheese is high is fat and salt, so it's probably a good idea to introduce plenty of healthier calcium sources like greens and beans, nuts & seeds, sea vegetables, etc.

[twilight girl]

Fortified soy milk, cheese, yogurt, dark, leafy greens, lots of sources ... check out www.drweil.com for some other ideas.

p.s. if possible try to get your sweet peppers organic. Bell peppers can contain dangerous amounts of chemical residue. Some sources consider them unsafe for children. http://www.drgreene.com/21_1941.html See this link for a list of most and least contaminated fresh foods.