How to get enough calcium during pregnancy - when you're lactose intolerant

Many people can't tolerate dairy products. Others, (like me), just hate the taste of most dairy items. Still, we all know that pregnant mamas need lots of calcium. How can you get enough when you don't drink milk or eat much dairy? If you're lactose intolerant, you may want to try enriched soymilk. You can also try low-lactose milk products, which contain lactase. Lactase is an enzyme that makes milk more digestible for people who are lactose intolerant. Soymilk is an acquired taste, but it's not that bad, really. It's all my son and I drink. He loves it. I tolerate it. But I don't really like any kind of milk. Still, when forced, I'll choose soy. One tip, if you're like me and hate the taste of milk, you can add dry powdered milk to baked goods or soups. You won't get that milk taste, but you will get the calcium. If you don't like the above alternative milk options above, you can easily get plenty of calcium with healthy meal and snack planning. Some food options include...

• Calcium fortified juice or rice beverages
• Calcium fortified bread and cereal
• Whole canned fish (sardines, salmon with bones)
• Soybeans - the whole green version, not the dry salted version
• Tofu
• Soy yogurt
• Instant oatmeal, plain or flavored, fortified
• Tempeh
• Egg yolks
• Okra
• White beans
• Greens such as spinach, collard greens, turnip greens, kale, and bok choy.

When you're pregnant and while you're breastfeeding, you need 1,200 mg of calcium daily. If you think you aren't getting enough, talk with your health care provider. If you're lactose intolerant that's a great topic for one of your first prenatal appointments. If your care provider is concerned with your diet she may prescribe calcium supplements.