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Original poster

Trying to find drink for my 12 year old with calcium?

40 replies

Johnb0y · 30/09/2018 21:39

He doesn't drink milk or anything resembling milk or any other dairy products.
Tropicana used to do an orange juice with added calcium but they seem to have stopped making it.
Any other thoughts/suggestions?

OP posts:
MrsPnut · 30/09/2018 21:41

Have you tried soya milkshakes?
Otherwise orange juice with green leafy veg will increase vitamin uptake. Plenty of vitamin d too will increase calcium levels.

Cleo2628 · 30/09/2018 21:44

I put a calcium tablet in my morning smoothie x

Jellyjumpers · 30/09/2018 21:45

Is there any reason you want to he using a drink? Will he eat green leafy veggitables, or the same if smoothies or ice lollies

Disfordarkchocolate · 30/09/2018 21:46

Some of the Beroca tablets (and own makes) have calcium in. Often on 3 for 2 as well.

Original poster
Johnb0y · 30/09/2018 21:47

Yeah, tried lots of soya, almond type of milk substitute drinks but he didn't like them. We try to give him broccoli and peas regularly but I'd like something that I could reliably give every day.

OP posts:
brimfull · 30/09/2018 21:47

had and have same issue with my son OP
I bought this tonic

Jellyjumpers · 30/09/2018 21:52

Does he enjoy any puddings eg s angel delight or yogurt with fortified milk. Would a vitamin tablet work for you?

redsummershoes · 30/09/2018 21:54

tinned boney fish?

Original poster
Johnb0y · 30/09/2018 22:00

I give him vitamin d gummy bear chewys with calcium which gives 31% (250mg) of recommended amount.

OP posts:
legolimb · 30/09/2018 22:01

I haven't drunk milk since being about 9 yo and I'm now 50.

Calcium is available in green leafy veg, fish and many other foods.

Milk isn't the only source.

Original poster
Johnb0y · 30/09/2018 22:02

He doesn't like yougurt
Brimfull, what% of daily requirement does that supplement give?
It's not cheap at £1 per day at 20ml.

OP posts:
brimfull · 30/09/2018 22:05

cheerios are fortified with calcium

Original poster
Johnb0y · 30/09/2018 22:05

I know milk is not the only source but life is so much easier if your child does like it and other dairy products. My daughter is 10 and loves milk and is almost as tall as my son ... hence my concern.

OP posts:
Original poster
Johnb0y · 30/09/2018 22:06

But I can't give him dry Cheerios!

OP posts:
jupiterdawn · 30/09/2018 22:07

Hi, have you tried rice milk (with added calcium, it's quite sweet)? Rice Dream do a variety and they're lovely- could use as base for smoothie?

BertieBotts · 30/09/2018 22:08

Why? I used to eat dry cereal as I never liked it going soggy.

brimfull · 30/09/2018 22:09

sorry not sure , my son was a reluctant drinker of this so we used the supplemented Oj and masses of green veg , pancakes made with milk in the morning..such a pain
He's a strapping 16 yr old now and eats melted cheese on pizzas ..I don't worry about it now..hmm maybe I should

brimfull · 30/09/2018 22:10

my son eats dry cereal

Rebecca36 · 30/09/2018 22:13

Does he like cheese?

Just because he doesn't drink milk may not mean he is calcium deficient. If he generally eats well he probably gets sufficient calcium.

If you're really worried, calcium tablets are a good idea.

redsummershoes · 30/09/2018 22:16

at that age it is normal for girls to be tall and boys to be (relatively) short.
girls tend to stop growing much ealier and seem to be doing most growing between 11-13.

Junglefowl · 30/09/2018 22:21

Our dd (12) won’t drink milk either though eats cheese if it is melted.

Does he otherwise have quite a good diet ? DD eats fairly good foods generally and is growing really well. I used to worry a lot more and hide milk in things but to be honest she is thriving. Interestingly a hot chocolate still gives her an upset stomach and she’s never got on well with dairy but I don’t give it too much thought any more.
Don’t some countries not really use dairy anyway? I think several African countries and also China

SavoyCabbage · 30/09/2018 22:25

Frozen yogurt? It doesn't taste like yogurt I don't think.

tillytoodles1 · 30/09/2018 22:31

My dentist told me that taking calcium makes no difference, you inherit it before you're born. I don't believe that.

mumsastudent · 30/09/2018 22:32

www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/best-calcium-rich-foods nuts fish such as sardines and broccoli bread is often enriched with calcium - you must make sure he gets sunlight (to make vit d) otherwise he wont be able to use the calcium - most margarines are enriched with vit d

ShovingLeopard · 30/09/2018 22:33

Oatly do a chocolate oat milk, that is fortified to the same level as cow's milk. Haliborange do strawberry flavour vit D and calcium gummy things, but he would need a few a day to meet his requirement.

Google the daily requirement for his age to make sure you can replace at the correct level. While green leafy veg etc does contain calcium, you would need to feed him an unfeasibly large amount of it every single day to hit the recommended intake. However, you may be able to make it up by eg a large glass of chocolate oatly, plus 2 very large helpings of green veg, plus some bony fish, plus a couple of glasses of Badoit, etc. Be warned that many foods are not such rich sources of calcium as we are led to believe, if you look at mg per 100g compared to a normal portion size, in the context of recommended daily intake.