Did you know that 3 out of 4 kids are not getting the recommended levels of calcium & vitamin D? Calcium and vitamin D are essential nutrients for building strong bones and teeth. In fact, building bone mass is basically complete by the end of the teen
years – after that, it begins to decrease.
Calcium is well-known as an important mineral for building healthy bones. While it's most commonly found in dairy products, like milk, yogurt and cheese, calcium is also found in:
- Calcium-fortified cereals and juices
- Tofu
- Almonds
- Broccoli
- Collard greens
Moms might not know that vitamin D is another piece in the healthy bones puzzle—it is essential for calcium absorption. Emerging research suggests that in addition to bone health, adequate vitamin D status may play a role in risk reduction for other chronic diseases.
Vitamin D is naturally found in very few foods (like cod liver oil, egg yolks, salmon, and tuna) so it's not surprising that when consumed together, vitamin D-fortified milk and ready to eat cereals provide an important source of vitamin D in kids’ diets. In addition, vitamin D can also be made by our bodies when our skin is exposed to sunlight.
General Mills Big G Kid Cereals Help Kids Grow Up Strong
Breakfast is a perfect time to help your kids build strong bones, which is why General Mills Big G kid cereals are the only leading line of ready to eat cereals that provide 10% of the Daily Value of both calcium and vitamin D in each serving. Together with a ½ cup skim milk, this wholesome combo provides your kids with 25% of the Daily Value of both calcium and vitamin D before they even head out the door to start their days! Click here to get the skinny on breakfast and learn more about how a cereal breakfast can help your kids start the day off right.
Bone-afide tip: Physical activity like running, dancing, and playing sports, can help kids build strong bones.
Tips to get calcium and vitamin D throughout the day:
- For an afternoon snack, mix vitamin D-fortified yogurt with your kid’s favorite General Mills Big G kid cereal
- For lunch, try an open faced tuna sandwich with a slice of melted cheese on top
- Make a trail mix with your favorite General Mills Big G kid cereals, almonds, and dried fruit
