Natural Calcium Supplements
Do you know that you can get enough calcium from your food, even if you do not use dairy products?
As a matter of fact, vegetarians who are strict enough to exclude dairy products usually have better calcium absorption, and a higher bone density than people who eat meat and dairy foods. That is if they are supplementing their diets with natural, calcium rich foods.
Dairy-Free Calcium Foods: Making dairy free milks out of almonds, or sesame seeds, or sunflower seeds is an excellent way to provide your body with the calcium it requires. Milk made out of these ingredients nutritious and has a healthy alkaline effect on the body.
You can use any one, or a combination of these seeds. You can also add the odd chopped Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, or a few cashews to enrich the milk. Brazil nuts are high in selenium, so they are a good addition to your home-made, dairy-free milk.
Sesame Seeds Are Calcium Food: Sesame seeds are one of the richest calcium foods. One good handful is supposed to supply 1200mg of calcium and magnesium, which is more than you get in a glass of milk. Sesame seeds are also rich in essential fatty acids, which help brain and nerve function, and keep the skin and other organs healthy.
Put some in your dairy-free milk mix, and add to your home-made smoothies. You can use the whole, or ground seed on your porridge each morning. Get into the habit of adding a sprinkle over salads and cooked food.
You need to chew up the sesame seeds well to get the maximum benefit from them. If your teeth are not so good, then you can grind your sesame seeds up in a coffee grinder, or blend them into a banana smoothie.
Sesame seeds are a wonderful food to add to your daily diet: They will complement a vegetarian diet and are an excellent supplement for those in need of extra calcium nourishment. Using just one generous handful per day will surely benefit your health
Sunflower Seeds Are Calcium Food: Sunflower seeds are also rich in calcium, as well as essential fatty acids. To get the best out of sunflower seeds, it is best to eat them raw. You can grind your sunflower seeds up into a meal to put on porridge, or to sprinkle over a salad or cooked food.
They are great to add to a smoothie for extra calcium. If you are making a smoothie, then soak your sunflower seeds for 15 minutes before blending them up.
If you are making sunflower seed milk, then soak them for 15 minutes before blending.
Coconut and Coconut Milk: Coconut is extremely rich in calcium, protein, and essential fatty acids. Have you thought just how the Pacific Island people have grown into such a healthy, tall, strong people without the traditional cow which Europeans have relied on as a calcium and protein source? Pacific Island people eat a lot of fish, which supplies calcium and other nutrients, but the daily component of the diet is coconut milk.
Sardines and Mackerel: Small fish which are eaten with the bones are very good for their calcium value. Try to eat some every day, unless you are on a strict vegetarian diet which excludes fish, in which case you will eat more of the alternative calcium foods such as sesame seeds and sunflower seeds
Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage: All the brassica family are very high in calcium. These are very healthy, not just because of their high calcium content, but because they are alkaline foods, and they provide your system with lots of healthy fiber. Other brassicas are cauliflower and kale.