Children between the ages of one and ten require 800-1000 mg of calcium/day. If the child drinks three 8-oz glasses of fortified rice, soy or potato milk per day, he would meet that requirement. If he drank one cup per day, the remaining 500 mg of additional calcium could be supplied with one of the many supplements available. Kirkman Labs (800-245-8282) makes flavored and flavorless calcium supplements in various forms. Custom-made calcium liquids can also be mixed up by compounding pharmacies using a maple, sucrose syrup, stevia or water base.
There are some very good calcium-enriched milk substitutes on the market. Rice Dream, in the white box, is usually available at the supermarket. Because this brand of rice milk is processed with barley enzymes, there is some concern over whether it will cause a reaction in individuals highly sensitive to gluten. If your child is also on a gluten-free diet, look for other brands of rice milk at your health food store. DariFree, a pleasant-tasting potato-based milk substitute, is available by mail-order (1-800-497-4834.) Soy milk is a good option for some, although many children with this disorder are intolerant to soy.
