Calcium is an important part of the diet, and the recommended daily allowance is approximately 100mg per day for adults, according to the University of Arizona. Calcium is important for the strength of the bones and teeth, and it also plays a role in the way that muscles and nerves function. On the other hand, there are some times when you may need to reduce your calcium intake, which means you will need to work with your doctor to identify foods for a low-calcium diet.
Vegetables
Many vegetables have a relatively low calcium content, which means that they can be easily incorporated into a low-calcium diet. Although green leafy vegetables typically are high in calcium, Chinese cabbage, turnip greens and and mustard greens are relatively low in calcium, with 10, 14 and 11mg of calcium contained in each serving, respectively, Harvard University says. Celery, chard, watercress, parsley and beets are also foods that have a low calcium content. Other vegetables with a relatively low calcium content are chopped broccoli and okra. A half cup of these vegetables contains 26 and 30mg of calcium, respectively. As a result, they can be added to a low-calcium diet but should only be consumed in moderation.
Fruits
Many fruits are also low in calcium. Raspberries, figs, papaya and kiwi fruit all have only moderate amounts of calcium. Some fruits are low in calcium, including bananas, apples, grapes, lemons, pears and plums. These fruits have less than 10mg of calcium per 100g of fruit, according to LennTech.com, and should be staples of a low-calcium diet. Oranges and orange juice can also be consumed in moderate quantities if you are trying to limit your calcium intake, but make sure that you do not drink orange juice that has been fortified with calcium.
Grains
Most breads are safe to consume on a low-calcium diet, but take care to not eat any bread that has been fortified with calcium. Corn and flour tortillas are also low in calcium. Starchy vegetables, such as corn and potatoes, also do not contain much calcium and are high in carbohydrates, which can help give you energy without adding unnecessary calcium to your diet.
Meats
According to HealthyEatingClub.org, most meats are low in calcium, which means you can consume most beef, pork, turkey, chicken and seafood products with little or no restriction. The few exceptions are tripe, beef sausages and some prepared meat products such as steak and kidney pie and moussaka, as the preparation adds extra calcium.
Member Comments