Nutrition & bone health

Food guidelines for better bones at any age

by Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD

Always try to buy local, fresh organic food in season.

Whole grains

Several servings to comprise 15-20% of diet. Brown rice, oats, corn, millet, barley, bu5ckwheat, amaranth, quinoa, wheat, teff, triticale, rye, buckwheat, spelt.

Vegetables

Low-Carb type: 3 to 4 cups a day. Try to include 1 cup of high calcium leafy greens such as collards, kale, dandelion, turnip greens, or bok choy. Other low carb vegetables include broccoli, carrots, spinach, lettuce, onions, celery, string beans, artichoke, summer squash, endive, cucumbers, asparagus, chard, peppers, parsley, sprouts, tomatoes, sea vegetables, etc.

Vegetables

High-Carb type: 1 to 2 servings a day. Potatoes, yams, sweet potatoes, parsnips, winter squash, turnips, etc.

Dried beans (legumes)

1 or more servings a day. Split peas, lentils, kidney beans, navy beans, chickpeas, aduki beans, black beans, white beans, mung beans, soy beans, tofu, etc.

Meat

Limit to one 4-5 oz. serving a day. Fish is preferable, fresh lean meats acceptable in moderation.

Dairy

0-3 servings as tolerated. Yogurt is the most easily digestible and a preferred form of dairy.

Fruits

2-4 per day (use fresh fruits in season whenever possible).

Essentials fats

3-4 teaspoons cold-pressed or expeller pressed vegetable oils, especially flax seed, olive and coconut. Refrigerate all oils. High temperature cooking destroys their value.

Nuts and seeds

A small amount of fresh, unsalted nuts and seeds if desired. Home roasted sunflower, sesame, or pumpkin seeds make an excellent snack or garnish.

Water

8 glasses a day. Hot water is best for digestion and detoxification purposes. Ginger tea and lemon water are also excellent. Purified or mineral or spring water is preferred.

Our Personal Program is a great place to start

At the Center for Better Bones we promote an all-natural approach to bone regeneration and repair that includes nutrition, diet, exercise, and lifestyle guidance. Our Personal Program is a convenient, at-home version of this approach.

  • To assess your fracture risk and the health of your bones, take our free, on-line Fracture Risk and Bone Health Profile.
  • To learn more about the guided, at-home Program we have developed with America’s premier women’s health clinic, Women to Women, go to The Personal Program for Better Bones.
  • For more information about the at-home program for Better Bones, please call The Personal Program toll-free at 1-877-200-1269.

 

Original Publication Date: 04/11/2000
Last Modified: 05/04/2009
Principal Author: Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD