The vegan diet is restricted to plant-based foods, which means that all animal sources for calcium, including dairy, are eliminated from the diet. Therefore, vegan calcium is obtained from nondairy sources, such as leafy green vegetables, nuts and seeds, and other vegan foods that have been fortified with calcium. According to observations, the vegan lifestyle helps to promote longevity and can prevent many degenerative diseases.
Many processed foods like breakfast cereals and orange juices are often fortified with vegan calcium to help ensure a healthy intake of calcium first thing in the morning. Vegan calcium is commonly added to nondairy yogurt, cheese, as well as to rice and soy milks. Soy is a natural source of calcium and protein, which makes it ideal for incorporating into vegan foods, such as tempeh and tofu. In many cases, the soy products are also fortified with calcium in order to increase the calcium content. Tahini is made from sesame seeds, and it too is rich with calcium.
Most vegetables, particularly dark green vegetables, are some of the best sources of natural vegan calcium. These include broccoli, kale, and collard greens. Spinach and Swiss chard are also good sources for vegan calcium; however, they contain oxalic acid, which interferes with the way calcium is absorbed. To avoid this interference, they should be consumed in moderate amounts. Other natural sources for vegan calcium include dried fruit and seaweed.
Grains that contain vegan calcium include amaranth, quinoa, and wheat. They can be found in flours, cereals, and many other food products. Many seeds and nuts, including sesame seeds and almonds, are also very good for increasing calcium intake.
Vegan cooking can be just as much fun and tasty as any other type of cooking because there are many vegan imitations of burgers, hot dogs, and cheeses that have similar tastes and textures. Therefore, favorite recipes can still be enjoyed on the vegan diet. While some vegan foods might take some getting used to, they seem to be healthier, which makes it worth it for vegans.
Although there has been much debate over vegan nutrition, there is enough evidence to confirm that the vegan lifestyle is indeed healthy. For this reason, many are making the switch to a vegan diet in order to live a longer and more meaningful life. The vegan diet is able to help individuals to lose excess weight and keep it off in the long run. It can help to protect against degenerative diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Vegan calcium is also effective for building strong bones in order to prevent osteoporosis.