How to up calcium intake for 19mo?
My 19 mo daughter does not like to drink cow's milk (I never pushed it since she got great milk from mommy). Since I weaned her at 13 months (pregnancy issues), she hasn't really taken to cow's milk or soy milk (though she will have 2 or 3 oz of vanilla-flavored soy milk occasionally). I try and push cheese and yoghurt, but I realize that she just doesn't get enough calcium.
She had her 18month checkup yesterday (a month late) and her growth is off - she's dropped in every category for the second time in a row (head 79%, weight 25%, height 20%) I'm petite, and struggling not to make too much of it (I hate the competitive statistics), and I'm petitie, but the doc said if at her 24 month appointment she continues to 'stall' he'll want to rule out a medical problem.
He wasn't really concerned, he said it might just be that she's really active and doesn't take in a lot of calories - which is probably the case - she's a little monkey these days! She's a grazer - she'll eat a little bit during 'meal time' - and munch on things I leave on her tray during the day. I'm thinking that maybe I don't give her enough protein snacks - so I'm consulting the sugar-free toddler cookbook and the super baby food cookbook for better meals & snacks to give her.
I articulated my concernLast night about her calcium intake and the Ped recommended that I put strawberry or chocolate flavoring in the milk . I broke down and got some strawberry quick last night - and it seemd to interest her quite a bit. She had at least 4oz of whole cow's milk - and she actually concentrated on it! It breaks my heart to give it to her - can any of you recommend any alternatives to this to get her calcium intake up?
Since this post is long, let me reiterate my questions:
1. How do you get your toddler to eat calcium?
2. What alternatives to putting chocolate or strawberry flavoring in cow's milk exist?
3. Are there any other cookbooks that might be a good resource for raising a child with healthy eating habits?
4. Any recommendations on high-protein, toddler-yummy snacks?
5. Anyone facing a similar challenge?
Thanks for your input!
P.S. Something really POSITIVE happened at the Ped's - I'm having a son in the next 2 weeks and we've decided not to circ him. So, I told this to the doctor and asked him for guidelines on foreskin care. Well, he seemed absolutely thrilled and excited that we weren't going to circ! He said I support your decision totally and absolutely! He asked how we came to this decicion and I told him about the research I did and how the pictures of the Bell procedure horrified me and DH and that we decided if the procedure wasn't necessary, there was NO WAY we were going to put our son through it. He agreed and said it is an awful thing - he said if it weren't for religious reasons, he wouldn't have done it either. Amazing - he's in is mid to late 50s - I honestly did not expect for him to be so supportive! We actually had a bonding moment.
He also seemed excited about my dd's Fuzzi Bunz. Boy - what an affirming visit!
^_^:
That's great you have such a supportive ped.!
Well, as for the calcium - I am in the same boat! I have even tried the strawberry and chocolate route myself, but Cole didn't like it. I have to admit that if he had, he would be probably be drinking a glass of chocolate milk a day. We have tried rice milk and soy milk too, no luck there either. Have you tried Hawaiian Punch fortified with calcium? Ha ha - just a little joke there. My pediatrician actually said this to me when I voiced my concerns at our last visit. :rolleyes:
Anyway - lots of food that is *good* for you (i.e. not Hawaiian Punch) is fortified with calcium these days. Bread, waffles, orange juice, etc. (We water Cole's OJ down quite a bit.) A lot of cereal bars have extra calcium in them. Veggie Booty has a ton.
Here is a list of other foods that supply calcium (besides cheese and yogurt):
oatmeal, 3/4 cup: 153 mg.
sardines, 3.5 oz.: 354 mg.
dried figs, 3.5 oz.: 126 mg.
1 orange: 96 mg.
almonds, 3.5 oz. 254 mg.
tofu, 4 oz.: 154 mg.
garbanzo beans, 1/2 cup: 150 mg.
sunflower seeds, 3.5 oz.: 120 mg.
broccoli, 1 cup: 132 mg.
collards, 1/2 cup: 152 mg.
lamb's quarters, 1/2 cup: 258 mg.
If you want to do some baking, here is some more info:
Cornmeal, 1 cup: 354 mg.
soy flour, 1 cup: 263 mg.
wheat flour, 1 cup: 303 mg.
blackstrap molasses, 3.5 oz.: 579 mg.
More info:
In the 51 - 100 mg. category:
- watercress, endive, escarole, leeks, okra, parsnips, most shellfish
In the 101 - 150 mg. category:
-bok choy, cottage cheese, ice cream, kale, summer squash
Then we get into the milk, cheese and yogurt area which generally has 300 - 400 mg. of calcium per 1 cup serving.
You should aim for around 800 mg. a day.
Hope that helps! :)
^_^:
My 20 month old ds also does not drink any form of milk (except mine). I decided to give him calcium supplements to be safe, because calcium is so important. According to what I've read and the AAP, children under the age of 4 need 500mg of calcium a day.
I have used powder and mixed it in applesauce (you can also mix them into food or baked goods before you bake them). You have to be careful of the source...you don't want lead! I used Kirkman's powdered Calcium and vitamin D. However, ds went on a powder strike, so now I'm using Yummi Bears Calcium and vitamin D. Four bears give 500mg of calcium and 400iu of vitamin D. I cut them up into thirds and he doesn't have any problem eating them -and he loves them!
I don't know what to do when summer arrives though...it isn't a good idea to give vitamin D supplements if the dc gets it through regular sun exposure. Although, Kirkman's powder only has about 90 iu of vitamin D per 500 mg of calcium so that is probably ok to use in the summer, if ds allows me to!
^_^:
My son didn't really start to drink milk with any regularity until about 20 months, and he was nursing very little. He still only drinks about 6 oz a day at 24 months. From what I have read, toddlers only need about 500-600 mg a day and that's not really that much. But, IMHO whole milk, whole milk yogurt, and full fat cheese are a really easy source of calories and fat, and some protein, which is why I encourage them personally.
1. How do you get your toddler to eat calcium? Most of his calcium probably comes from cheese. He loves deli american cheese, or string cheese. And daddy eats cheese and crackers which he loves just because daddy eats it. :) He also loves yogurt, have you tried that yet? The drinkable yogurt smoothies are a big hit (and a special treat) around here.
2. What alternatives to putting chocolate or strawberry flavoring in cow's milk exist? Before my son wanted milk, he also wouldn't drink flavored milk. I figured maybe he needed more time and just waited for him to come around. How about calcium-fortified orange juice?
3. Are there any other cookbooks that might be a good resource for raising a child with healthy eating habits? I like Whole Foods For the Whole Family, LLL's book
4. Any recommendations on high-protein, toddler-yummy snacks? In general, or ones that my son will eat? LOL Some kids do well with hard boiled eggs. Oh, another thing we love is whole grain pancakes from the cookbook above- you can put jsut about anything in pancakes, including powdered milk, oats, wheat germ, whole wheat flour, bananas, protein powder...etc....we eat them with plain yogurt and all fruit spread. They are so good.
5. Anyone facing a similar challenge? We definitely have our food issues. We are going to j's 2 year appointment next week and I am hoping he has grown "enough" according to the charts. He's never had a problem before (despite not eating anything regularly until he was about 19 months old, no kidding) but now that he is weaned and picky and active...he's looking kind of small and skinny to me...just paranoia I'm sure but I'm nervous! It's so much easier when they are just nursing and that's all you have to worry about. Good luck with your dd.
^_^:
There is some very sound info about calcium in a book called Becoming Vegetarian - its worth a read. Lots of mis-info out there on this subject, and this book does the best job of laying out a balanced view of how much calcium we really need and how to get it.
I read the other posts very quickly so maybe someone else has suggested this, but tahini is high in calcium. Vitamin D and magnesium are important for the uptake of calcium.
Also, you might want to re-post this in the good eating forum - you'll probably get good info there.
^_^:
What about yogurt? My dd has never drunk milk, but has always loved yogurt. Although your dc is still a little young for this (I think), we make yogurt popsicles by just putting yogurt straight into the tupperware popsicle molds. I swear, she'd eat 6 a day if we let her!
^_^:
Hi there,
Just an FYI that Target sells calcium-enriched apple juice.
Some other sources of calcium...butternut squash, sesame seeds (and tahini), corn tortillas, broccoli and tofu.
I sprinkle the sesame seeds on lots of meals. Every little bit counts.
Good luck! : )
P.S. Silk makes chocolate soy milk and Trader Joe's sells chocolate and strawberry varieties.
^_^:
Thanks ladies! You've given me some GREAT ideas! Off to Trader Joe's and the library!
^_^:
yogurt fruit smoothies?
More Topical:
She had her 18month checkup yesterday (a month late) and her growth is off - she's dropped in every category for the second time in a row (head 79%, weight 25%, height 20%) I'm petite, and struggling not to make too much of it (I hate the competitive statistics), and I'm petitie, but the doc said if at her 24 month appointment she continues to 'stall' he'll want to rule out a medical problem.
He wasn't really concerned, he said it might just be that she's really active and doesn't take in a lot of calories - which is probably the case - she's a little monkey these days! She's a grazer - she'll eat a little bit during 'meal time' - and munch on things I leave on her tray during the day. I'm thinking that maybe I don't give her enough protein snacks - so I'm consulting the sugar-free toddler cookbook and the super baby food cookbook for better meals & snacks to give her.
I articulated my concernLast night about her calcium intake and the Ped recommended that I put strawberry or chocolate flavoring in the milk . I broke down and got some strawberry quick last night - and it seemd to interest her quite a bit. She had at least 4oz of whole cow's milk - and she actually concentrated on it! It breaks my heart to give it to her - can any of you recommend any alternatives to this to get her calcium intake up?
Since this post is long, let me reiterate my questions:
1. How do you get your toddler to eat calcium?
2. What alternatives to putting chocolate or strawberry flavoring in cow's milk exist?
3. Are there any other cookbooks that might be a good resource for raising a child with healthy eating habits?
4. Any recommendations on high-protein, toddler-yummy snacks?
5. Anyone facing a similar challenge?
Thanks for your input!
P.S. Something really POSITIVE happened at the Ped's - I'm having a son in the next 2 weeks and we've decided not to circ him. So, I told this to the doctor and asked him for guidelines on foreskin care. Well, he seemed absolutely thrilled and excited that we weren't going to circ! He said I support your decision totally and absolutely! He asked how we came to this decicion and I told him about the research I did and how the pictures of the Bell procedure horrified me and DH and that we decided if the procedure wasn't necessary, there was NO WAY we were going to put our son through it. He agreed and said it is an awful thing - he said if it weren't for religious reasons, he wouldn't have done it either. Amazing - he's in is mid to late 50s - I honestly did not expect for him to be so supportive! We actually had a bonding moment.
He also seemed excited about my dd's Fuzzi Bunz. Boy - what an affirming visit!
^_^:
That's great you have such a supportive ped.!
Well, as for the calcium - I am in the same boat! I have even tried the strawberry and chocolate route myself, but Cole didn't like it. I have to admit that if he had, he would be probably be drinking a glass of chocolate milk a day. We have tried rice milk and soy milk too, no luck there either. Have you tried Hawaiian Punch fortified with calcium? Ha ha - just a little joke there. My pediatrician actually said this to me when I voiced my concerns at our last visit. :rolleyes:
Anyway - lots of food that is *good* for you (i.e. not Hawaiian Punch) is fortified with calcium these days. Bread, waffles, orange juice, etc. (We water Cole's OJ down quite a bit.) A lot of cereal bars have extra calcium in them. Veggie Booty has a ton.
Here is a list of other foods that supply calcium (besides cheese and yogurt):
oatmeal, 3/4 cup: 153 mg.
sardines, 3.5 oz.: 354 mg.
dried figs, 3.5 oz.: 126 mg.
1 orange: 96 mg.
almonds, 3.5 oz. 254 mg.
tofu, 4 oz.: 154 mg.
garbanzo beans, 1/2 cup: 150 mg.
sunflower seeds, 3.5 oz.: 120 mg.
broccoli, 1 cup: 132 mg.
collards, 1/2 cup: 152 mg.
lamb's quarters, 1/2 cup: 258 mg.
If you want to do some baking, here is some more info:
Cornmeal, 1 cup: 354 mg.
soy flour, 1 cup: 263 mg.
wheat flour, 1 cup: 303 mg.
blackstrap molasses, 3.5 oz.: 579 mg.
More info:
In the 51 - 100 mg. category:
- watercress, endive, escarole, leeks, okra, parsnips, most shellfish
In the 101 - 150 mg. category:
-bok choy, cottage cheese, ice cream, kale, summer squash
Then we get into the milk, cheese and yogurt area which generally has 300 - 400 mg. of calcium per 1 cup serving.
You should aim for around 800 mg. a day.
Hope that helps! :)
^_^:
My 20 month old ds also does not drink any form of milk (except mine). I decided to give him calcium supplements to be safe, because calcium is so important. According to what I've read and the AAP, children under the age of 4 need 500mg of calcium a day.
I have used powder and mixed it in applesauce (you can also mix them into food or baked goods before you bake them). You have to be careful of the source...you don't want lead! I used Kirkman's powdered Calcium and vitamin D. However, ds went on a powder strike, so now I'm using Yummi Bears Calcium and vitamin D. Four bears give 500mg of calcium and 400iu of vitamin D. I cut them up into thirds and he doesn't have any problem eating them -and he loves them!
I don't know what to do when summer arrives though...it isn't a good idea to give vitamin D supplements if the dc gets it through regular sun exposure. Although, Kirkman's powder only has about 90 iu of vitamin D per 500 mg of calcium so that is probably ok to use in the summer, if ds allows me to!
^_^:
My son didn't really start to drink milk with any regularity until about 20 months, and he was nursing very little. He still only drinks about 6 oz a day at 24 months. From what I have read, toddlers only need about 500-600 mg a day and that's not really that much. But, IMHO whole milk, whole milk yogurt, and full fat cheese are a really easy source of calories and fat, and some protein, which is why I encourage them personally.
1. How do you get your toddler to eat calcium? Most of his calcium probably comes from cheese. He loves deli american cheese, or string cheese. And daddy eats cheese and crackers which he loves just because daddy eats it. :) He also loves yogurt, have you tried that yet? The drinkable yogurt smoothies are a big hit (and a special treat) around here.
2. What alternatives to putting chocolate or strawberry flavoring in cow's milk exist? Before my son wanted milk, he also wouldn't drink flavored milk. I figured maybe he needed more time and just waited for him to come around. How about calcium-fortified orange juice?
3. Are there any other cookbooks that might be a good resource for raising a child with healthy eating habits? I like Whole Foods For the Whole Family, LLL's book
4. Any recommendations on high-protein, toddler-yummy snacks? In general, or ones that my son will eat? LOL Some kids do well with hard boiled eggs. Oh, another thing we love is whole grain pancakes from the cookbook above- you can put jsut about anything in pancakes, including powdered milk, oats, wheat germ, whole wheat flour, bananas, protein powder...etc....we eat them with plain yogurt and all fruit spread. They are so good.
5. Anyone facing a similar challenge? We definitely have our food issues. We are going to j's 2 year appointment next week and I am hoping he has grown "enough" according to the charts. He's never had a problem before (despite not eating anything regularly until he was about 19 months old, no kidding) but now that he is weaned and picky and active...he's looking kind of small and skinny to me...just paranoia I'm sure but I'm nervous! It's so much easier when they are just nursing and that's all you have to worry about. Good luck with your dd.
^_^:
There is some very sound info about calcium in a book called Becoming Vegetarian - its worth a read. Lots of mis-info out there on this subject, and this book does the best job of laying out a balanced view of how much calcium we really need and how to get it.
I read the other posts very quickly so maybe someone else has suggested this, but tahini is high in calcium. Vitamin D and magnesium are important for the uptake of calcium.
Also, you might want to re-post this in the good eating forum - you'll probably get good info there.
^_^:
What about yogurt? My dd has never drunk milk, but has always loved yogurt. Although your dc is still a little young for this (I think), we make yogurt popsicles by just putting yogurt straight into the tupperware popsicle molds. I swear, she'd eat 6 a day if we let her!
^_^:
Hi there,
Just an FYI that Target sells calcium-enriched apple juice.
Some other sources of calcium...butternut squash, sesame seeds (and tahini), corn tortillas, broccoli and tofu.
I sprinkle the sesame seeds on lots of meals. Every little bit counts.
Good luck! : )
P.S. Silk makes chocolate soy milk and Trader Joe's sells chocolate and strawberry varieties.
^_^:
Thanks ladies! You've given me some GREAT ideas! Off to Trader Joe's and the library!
^_^:
yogurt fruit smoothies?
More Topical: