Calcium

CALCIUM (and how to get it)

Reprinted directly from a publication `by The 1996 National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board. (Totally unbiased, of course)

"Why settle for ordinary black coffee when you can sip something really special - morning, noon or night. And since coffee is virtually devoid of nutrients, milk can help boost the nutritional value of each cup. Frothy milk-laden drinks can pack a hefty calcium punch. One "tall" serving in many coffee bars (about 12 ounces) provides at least a full cup of milk - which will put you about one-third of the way toward your daily calcium goal. Each cup of milk also provides eight other essential nutrients like vitamin D, which helps your body use calcium.

If you're concerned about fat and calories, use skim or 1% milk at home - they both foam beautifully. And when you're visiting your favorite coffee bar, most of today's shops can make coffee drinks for you with skim or low-fat milk, even Decaf if you want. Just ask! Since coffee provides 0 calories or fat, you can keep these drinks lean by choosing skim milk, which is fat free and delivers all the calcium of whole milk."

Check it out:

8 ounces	Calories	Fat (g.)	Calcium (mg.)
Skim Milk	80	0	300
1% Milk	100	2.5	300
2 % Milk	120	5	300
Whole Milk	150	8	300

There's No Substitute For Milk

For better taste and more calcium, pass up those non-dairy creamers and other coffee "whiteners." These products add extra fat, not calcium. A better choice is milk. A splash of skim milk in your coffee will add great taste and calcium, but no fat.

Skimming the Fat

Part of the drive behind the coffee beverage boom may be that more and more people today are skipping dessert and ordering an after-dinner cappuccino or other specialty drink instead. If you forgo the whipped cream and syrups, and choose your selection with skim or low-fat milk, you can keep fat and calories to a minimum:

Skim (skinny) Caffe´ Latte´ - 110 calories, 0 g. fat (!)

Iced Skinny Caffe´ Mocha (without whipped cream) - 140 calories, 0 g. fat (using Hershey's)

Skinny Cappuccino - 60 calories, 0 g. fat

Serving Size: 12 ounce cup, or "tall" serving.

OR, in a pinch, you could just take a coupla' calcium pills although I would think you would find them to be not nearly as satisfying! (editor)

Last updated Saturday, April 05, 2008