How do you keep track of your daily calcium intake?

totally get what you’re saying. Exhausting focus necessary.
I make sure I get 12 oz of Fairlife milk (in coffee and to drink), 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, 1-2 oz of bone health Dutch gouda 2-3 x per week or yogurt / oikos drink. Thats about 500-600/day. plus I take 3 caps of Osteo K ( NBI) daily. I dont bother counting the misc sources that ensure I am at 1200.
the habit makes it easy.
the shopping is predictable. Fewer junk sources. works for me.

I also attempt to obtain most of the 1200 mg of calcium from food (not foods fortified with calcium) spread out through the day, take one Citracal tablet mid afternoon with a snack, and a multivitamin at night. I also track protein. Every 4 months or so I do a check on what I am generally eating to make sure I am on track with both--I find my diet changes with the seasons.
My LDL just went up, so now I'm also tracking soluble fiber and reducing saturated fat. I rely on non-fat yogurt, but also drink a lot of 1% milk--may have to switch to skim.
In addition, I keep a note on the fridge with 3 short lists of healthy foods that I like: 1) calcium-rich foods 2) protien-rich foods and 3) foods high in soluble fiber. It helps to remind me daily, and in meal planning.
I take Vit D and Vit K2-MK7 at night, which may not be the best time. Always more to learn!

It's not necessary to track things so closely every day. Once you've established eating habits that are healthy, day-to-day fluctuations don't really matter.

Sodium... I just got into the habit of not buying anything that is loaded with sodium. For example, sometimes we have Campbell's Chunky Soup. That stuff is loaded with salt. We switched to the "healthy" version of the brand, and it cuts out a lot of sodium. Basically, if I look at the label and see that one serving has, you know, 50% of the RDA for sodium, I don't buy it.

We also use saltless seasonings. I don't mean salt substitutes. Search for saltless seasoning, and you'll get a lot of ideas. Salt is a habit. Once you cut down, you get used to the taste, and then you'll actually find that salty items taste too salty!

I agree with using a spreadsheet. The process of recording intake is very helpful. Once you have been doing so - for only a short time - you will have a feel for what you need to be eating/drinking. Know what the nutritional values of various foods are, and the amount you need to meet your goals, and then just ingest them.

@cathyf31
Hello Cathy do you take k2, mk7 or mk4?

@laren3 I take Vit-K2 (MK-7)

I am thankful for your post.
Can you share what a calcium urine test is?
I was told 1200 mg of calcium per day and food intake was preferable to taking the pill. I am concerned about taking too much calcium and developing kidney stones.
I have been taking dairy products mostly. Can anyone share none dairy calcium rich food and how they track it?
Thank you

@cathyf31
Thanks for your response Cathy. I asked because lately I'm hearing MK4 may be the better way to go...this from a functional medicine doc. Who knows anymore? I take 7 as well but maybe I'll get 4 and alternate days.

@radcassie thyf31

Good morning .
Thank you for your sound and yet simple suggestions. I was having difficulty trying to take 600 with breakfast and another 600 of calcium with dinner.
Your suggestion of breaking the calcium in three parts daily makes it so much simpler and easy to do
Thank you for taking the time to share this very helpful suggestion.
Sincerely appreciate it.

@rudysmom, I agree with what you're saying. I find myself looking at the USDA website for calcium content of certain foods and I can say it's mind boggling. I have hypercalcuria like you and have been taking chlorthalidone 12.5 mg to help. Last time it was 265 but according to my endocrinologist, she bases on 4 mg per kilogram of body weight so ideally it should be about 230 or a bit less. I pretty much consume the same food items but do mix it around as it can be boring and you should try and relax and enjoy your meals. I pretty much know how much calcium is in my food that i eat, but do check labels if provided. Currently, I'm consuming approximately
1,000 mg of calcium daily and will be going for another 24 hour urine in a few months to see if that helps. I don't stress if I go over or under a little bit.