As parents, your child’s height, weight and overall health always make it to the list of your top concerns. The formative years are the most important when it comes to your child’s well-being. Every visit to the pediatrician results in a series of questions on their fruit and vegetable intake, and how to get them to eat their greens. 

For parents who resonate with this, here’s everything there is to know about bone health and calcium intake for children. 

Why Calcium is Necessary for Children

Apart from bone health, your child needs the right amount of calcium during the first few years to provide for all their nutritional requirements. It is also necessary for dental health as it helps children develop strong teeth and prevent decay.

Most children tend to consume high amounts of carbonated drinks which may interfere with their ability to consume calcium. Without calcium, bone-related problems may develop early on in your child’s life.

How to Increase Calcium Intake in Children?

If you're struggling to meet your child's calcium requirements, here's how you can incorporate these foods into their daily routine, without causing an imbalance in their diet.

• By adding some cheddar cheese to their pizzas or toast, you can boost their daily intake of calcium.
• Subtly add a few extra dry fruits to their tiffin. Placing a few dried figs, apricots, or almonds will do the trick.
• Prepare dishes with soybeans or chickpeas or add sesame seeds to their diet.
• You can also make some fun milkshakes or smoothies. Add their favorite fruit, mix it up with some milk and serve.
• Lastly, prepare milk-based desserts like pudding, kheer, or other mithai on special occasions and watch them enjoy!  

Calcium Supplements for Children

If incorporating milk and veggies into your picky eater’s diet is a problem, calcium supplements can ease your trouble. As the need for calcium depends on a child's age and dietary calcium intake, you can ask your doctor to advise you regarding which supplement is best for your child. 

Lessons Learned

Your child's physical growth and development are mainly attributed to proper nutrition which contains vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. All of these nutrients depend on each other, to ensure a strong set of bones. Bone health takes years to develop, and the right care and calcium sources in the formative years can be of great benefit. 

The best way to get children to eat healthy is by making nutrition fun. You can use this very idea to increase your kid's daily calcium consumption. For instance, when it comes to kids, one can never go wrong with chocolate. A glass of chocolate milk can be your way of making calcium consumption fun for your kid. 

FAQs

• What foods can help in increasing children’s calcium intake?

A healthy consumption of milk, yoghurt, cheese, almonds, sesame seeds, tofu, chickpeas, and leafy vegetables can help with calcium intake in children.

• Why is calcium important for children?

The formation of bones during a child's early years is very important so as to prevent any bone-related health problems in the future. 

For children to get their recommended intake of calcium and vitamin D, they should get 2-3 servings of dairy products and/or fortified foods.