This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation that contains affiliate links. I received Viactiv products for my own personal use. All opinions, text and experiences are my own.
As a mother of three teenage daughters, I can attest to the fact that there are about a million and one things to worry about. Am I teaching them to be strong women? I’m I preparing them for life on their own? Whether or not they’re getting enough calcium for their growing bodies should not be one of those things moms need to worry about, but the fact is, 86% of teenage girls are not getting enough calcium in their daily diets. (Source: 2010 study published in The Journal of Nutrition)
The scary thing is, 95% of peak bone mass is present by age 20, so it’s critical that teen girls are banking calcium now before they start slowly losing it later in life. Yes, calcium is important at every age, but it is even more important while their bones are still developing. Why is it so important? If your body is not getting enough calcium it will take it from the bones, decreasing bone mineral density which can eventually lead to osteopenia and osteoporosis.
You can see how much calcium is recommended daily by age on this handy chart chart at viactiv.com/why-calcuim
In a recent federal study, it was found that only 15% of high school students drink milk. The number is even lower for girls in high school, with only 9% reporting that they drank milk regularly.
Did you know? The recommended amount of calcium for a girl 9-18 years old is 1300 milligrams (mg). To compare, it is 1000 mg for women 19-50 years of age.
I’ve been fairly lucky, since all of my kids love milk and yogurt and cheese…but I’ve noticed as the kids have gotten older that I don’t have as much control over what they eat. Yes, I cook dinner and I shop for the food that they pack in their school lunches every day. But since I’m no longer hand-feeding them it’s tough to keep track of whether or not they’re getting all of their nutrition needs met. My job has shifted to teaching them good, healthy eating habits and why things like calcium are important in their diet so that they can make the right choices as they continue to grow.
Did you know? Many multivitamins provide only 20-30% of the recommended amount of daily calcium. While a multivitamin is great (and encouraged) it may not be enough.
Another important thing to teach girls is to avoid calcium zappers, such as sodas and salty snacks like pretzels and chips. Even healthy foods like peanut butter, corn, sunflower seeds, and garlic can make it harder for the body to absorb calcium due to their lack of vitamin D.
Did you know? Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium and vitamin K helps aid in the formation of bone proteins. Vitamins D and K, found in VIACTIV® Calcium Soft Chews, work synergistically to increase bone mineral density and modulate bone metabolism while positively affecting calcium balance.
Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews provide teens with almost 80% of their daily value of calcium (500 mg each/1000 mg total), plus vitamins D and K. And because they come in flavors that teens (and their moms…) love – chocolate and caramel – and because they are individually wrapped, they are perfect for adding into a lunch box. And they’re WAY more fun to eat than a big pill you have to swallow (which just means that my girls and I will be more likely to be motivated to take them daily).
Viactiv is part of the three keys to healthy bones:
- Obtaining an adequate daily dose of calcium from your diet
- Regular bone strengthening exercises (Remember to #BeActiv)
- Calcium supplements when diet is not enough
Learn more about teen calcium needs at viactiv.com/teens.
Viactiv is available at major retailers nationwide including CVS, Rite Aid, Target, Walgreens and Walmart, as well as supermarkets nationwide. Save $2 on your next Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews.
Connect With Viactiv
Viactiv Calcium Soft Chews are available in milk chocolate and caramel flavors at major retailers including CVS, Rite Aid, Target, Walgreens and Walmart, as well as supermarkets nationwide. Save $2 on your next in-store purchase with the Viactiv printable coupon.
Learn more about Viactiv at www.Viactiv.com and enter their current prize promotions on Viactiv’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/Viactiv and new Instagram channel https://instagram.com/viactiv/.
This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation on behalf of Viactiv that contains affiliate links. I received Viactiv products for my own personal use. All opinions, text and experiences are my own.
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