Where, Oh, Where Is My Calcium?
As I told my doctor the other day that I was vegan, her immediate reaction was not one that I was prepared for. I can defend the protein question, and the general what-do-you-eat concern. But I was not expecting her to question my calcium intake.
Like an uneducated fool I stumbled as I muttered, “Uhh… don’t leafy greens have calcium?”
So just in case anybody questions you - or me, again - in the future, here is where we get out calcium:
*Leafy greens such as kale, arugula, parsley, collard and turnip greens
*Tofu
*Sesame and flax seeds
*Tahini
*Almonds, almond butter
*Several bean varieties including white, kidney, French, northern, navy, mung, pink, and black
*Figs
*Wasabi
And guess what? All of those have more calcium per serving than cow’s milk!
But there’s even more veg*n sources, too:
*Tempeh
*Hazelnuts, peanuts, walnuts, macadamia
*Chickpeas
*Sun-dried tomatoes
*Spinach, mustard greens, swiss chard
*Lima beans
*Okra
*Lettuce
*Oats
*Quinoa, lentils
…and that, dear doctor, is what I should have said when you asked where I got my calcium from.
vegan calcium, sources of calcium, vegetarian calcium, calcium without milk, lactose intolerant calcium


August 15th, 2007 at 11:44 am
From what I hear the calcium we get in the non-animal stuff actually ends up being more absorbed, so not only is there more calcium in many of those sources, but more is being absorbed for our bodies to use.
August 16th, 2007 at 8:41 am
tahini apparently is supposed to be one of the best sources of calcium out there. Though for the life of me I dont know how its made, its just tasty
August 16th, 2007 at 11:49 am
I’ve read alot that people, at least here in the West, drink far too much milk. It interers with our ability to absorb other, much needed vitamins.
I tagged you if you’re interested.
http://activistmommy.com/2007/08/16/eight-things-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-me/
August 16th, 2007 at 3:57 pm
I just heard a really interesting pocast episode from Fitness Rocks about Calcium and Milk. I was really surprised to hear his perspective since I don’t believe that the doctor is a vegan. Anyway, he said basically the same thing as you and added what another poster said about how the excess protein in animal milk actually leaches calcium from the bones. He cited a bunch of studies about communities that don’t drink animal milk and their bone health.
He also said that one of the best ways to increase bone strength is to regularly stress them through exercise.
Anyway, long first comment (sorry). I found you through activist mommy.
August 16th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Thanks for all the interest in this post all! Looks like we are all interested in this great calcium debate … hmm, I smell another post topic!