Lactose Intolerant? Fight Hip Pain With Calcium-Fortified Tofu

Health & Medical Blog

Calcium and several other nutrients can fight or stop a host of bone and muscle problems, including hip pain and swollen hip muscles. You usually get these essential nutrients from milk and other dairy products. But what if you can't drink milk or eat products containing milk because you're lactose intolerant? Your lactose intolerance can trigger hip and muscle pain. Instead of suffering, here's what you can do to ease your hip problems until you see a bone specialist for care.

Eat Tofu Daily for Calcium, Phosphorus and Magnesium

Tofu is an ideal food choice for getting your calcium each day. It's also packed with phosphorus and magnesium, which calcium metabolizes or uses to protect your bones, muscles and cells. All three nutrients strengthen weakened bone tissues by rebuilding the cells that help them grow. Your hip pain may be a result of poor cell production in your bones and muscles.

In addition, if you gained weight from your lack of calcium, the extra weight may damage the sockets that support your hipbones by making the bones rub against each other when you walk or run. A number of sources show that calcium-fortified foods may help reduce your body weight. Eating 4 ounces of tofu for lunch or dinner can provide you with:

• 230 milligrams of the calcium
• 140 milligrams of phosphorus
• 40 milligrams of magnesium.

Since tofu contains as little as 1.5 grams of fat, you may also lose the extra weight and reduce your hip problems.

Prepare Your Tofu

If you're ready to enjoy the nutritional benefits of tofu, here's an easy tofu shake recipe you can prepare at home:

Get These Items

You need a blender, a 4-ounce package of firm tofu and several bags of frozen fruit. Also, purchase almond milk for flavor. Almond milk adds more calcium to your daily diet. 

Most people recommend soaking the tofu in paper towels to remove its excess moisture, but you can skip this step. The water in your tofu will help hydrate your body. Now, move to the next step.

Blend Your Items Together

• Place the tofu on a plate, use a knife to slice it into cubes, then put the cubes of tofu into the blender
• Pour 1-2 cups of almond milk into a blender
• Add 1 cup of frozen fruit to the blender

Turn the blender on the chop setting to break up the frozen fruit. Once the fruit purees, use the blend or mix setting to combine your ingredients together. Pour into a glass and enjoy. You can place the rest of the shake into your refrigerator to sip on later.

If you need more tips on how to get your calcium without consuming dairy products, ask your orthopedic doctor during your appointment.

27 January 2015