Get plenty of calcium!

Your body uses this mineral to build bone, and the typical American woman gets less than two-thirds the daily amount of calcium she needs. All adults under 50 should be getting 1,000 milligrams a day; after 50, that amount goes up to 1,200 mg. The easiest way to add more calcium to your diet is to eat more dairy products. Eight ounces of milk, 1.5 ounces of cheddar cheese, 2 cups of cottage cheese, or 1 cup of yogurt provides about 300 mg of calcium, or nearly one-third of the daily requirement. Fortified orange juice and cereal are also good sources. If you aren't able to get enough calcium from your diet, consider taking a calcium supplement that has 300 mg per tablet.