Calcium Sources
What is the food pyramid guide?
The food
pyramid is a guide to help you make daily food and physical activity
choices to improve your overall health including your bone health.
The amount of food that you need from each food group and your physical
activity recommendations depend on your age and other considerations. For
more information about the recommendatins that are right for you
visit the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website.
How can I use the food pyramid guide to get enough calcium?

(NYSOPEP) The New York State Osteoporosis Prevention & Education
Program has developed, Calcium Choices Throughout The Food Pyramid,
to help you know the approximate calcium content of selected foods
throughout the food pyramid. It is important to know that there are
many other calcium-rich foods available in each food group; this is
only a partial listing. The actual calcium content of a food may vary
depending upon the brand. It is always important to read the nutrition
facts on each food label when selecting a product.
To use Calcium Choices Throughout The Food Pyramid to help you get
enough calcium from the food you eat, follow these easy steps:
Step 1: Know your daily recommended intake (daily
recommended intake) for calcium. Your needs vary according to your
age.
*mg= milligrams
(Dietary Reference Intakes, National Academy of Science, 1997)
Step 2: Know the estimated
daily calcium in your current diet. Most individuals can easily
get at least half of the calcium they need from food. If your typical
calcium intake is too low, first try to increase the calcium in your
diet. There are many calcium-rich foods to help you meet your calcium
needs through diet alone
Step 3: Use Calcium
Choices Throughout The Food Pyramid to help you select foods
that you can add to your diet to reach your DRI .
For more information about the calcium content of selected foods,
click on the USDA National Nutrient Database listed
according to calcium content or listed
alphabetically.
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