While attending a family gathering this past summer I noticed that the only beverages available for the children were juice boxes and soda. Kids were drinking these
like water. Recently I took a look in my own refrigerator and saw the
gallon of milk still sitting on the shelf only half empty. I purchased
that milk a week ago. With soft drinks and juice more accessible to
kids these days than milk I wondered if my children are getting enough calcium.

According to Keep Kids Healthy.com, Toddlers (1-3) require 300 mg of calcium per day or 2 glasses of milk. By the time they are in preschool (4-8)
children should have 800 mg of calcium or 3 glasses of milk per day.
Older school aged children (9-18) require about 1300 mg of calcium or 4
glasses of milk per day. By the time your child reaches puberty it is
even more important for him to have the proper requirement of calcium.
Because the efficiency of calcium absorption is increased
during puberty, and the majority of bone formation occurs
during this period.

A survey conducted in 2004 showed that only 13 % of boys and girls between the ages of 12-19 met the daily recommendations for calcium. Another voluntary survey was
administered that year to 227 10-16 year olds. (120 boys and 107 girls)
attending an NYSP summer session in Vernillion, South Dakota to
evaluate their daily fluid consumption choices. 55.5% stated that they
had consumed at least one can or bottle of soda daily. 33.9% stated
that they consume at least one sports drink daily with 24.2% indicating
that they don't drink sports drinks. 48.4% indicated that they drank
at least 2 bottles of water daily. 61.2% responded that they drank 2
glasses or less of milk daily. 70.9% admitted drinking one glass of
juice daily.
(source: http://www.dentalgentlecare.com/pop,_kids_&_obesity.htm)

Getting your children to meet the daily calcium requirements for their age can be challenging. More kids
are developing or have developed milk allergies or lactose intolerance.
Sometimes kids just don't like the taste of milk. If you are having
these problems with your children here are some calcium rich foods that
you can add to your child's diet.

Food	Servings	Calcium Content
Milk, whole or low-fat	1 cup	300 mg
Soy or rice milk	1 cup	300 mg
White beans	½ cup	113 mg
Cheddar cheese	1.5 oz	300 mg
Yogurt, low-fat	8 oz	300 mg
Orange juice, calcium fortified	1 cup	350 mg
Orange	Medium, 1	40-50 mg
Sweet potatoes, mashed	½ cup	44 mg

Show a good example and drink your milk. Adults also require plenty of calcium per day especially women. Avoid juice and soda. Before long your
child will be getting the proper calcium requirement.