Hey Lykkers!
If you love spinach but also care about getting enough calcium for your body—this one's for you. I used to eat spinach almost every day thinking I was being super healthy...
Until I learned it has something called oxalic acid that can block calcium absorption!
But don't worry—I've got a super simple way to fix that. Here's everything I've learned (yes, from my own kitchen experiments!).
What's the Deal With Oxalic Acid? 😬
Spinach naturally contains oxalic acid, and while it's not harmful in small amounts, it does have a catch. Oxalic acid can bind with calcium and make it harder for our bodies to absorb it. That's kind of a bummer if you're eating spinach for your bones or pairing it with dairy.
But here's the good news: we can reduce oxalic acid easily by cooking it the right way!
Boiling Is the Game-Changer 🔥
This tip changed everything for me: just boil your spinach briefly!
• Bring a pan of water to a boil.
• Toss in your spinach.
• Boil for 30–60 seconds max.
• Drain and rinse quickly with cold water (this stops it from overcooking).
That short boil can remove up to 50–70% of the oxalic acid. Amazing, right? 😍
I like to do this in batches and store the boiled spinach in the fridge—it's great for stir-fries, soups, or tossing into scrambled eggs.
What About Stir-Frying or Steaming?
Good question! I've tried steaming and stir-frying raw spinach, but unfortunately, these don't reduce oxalic acid nearly as well. Boiling is your best bet if calcium is your concern.
So if you're having spinach with tofu, milk, cheese, or any calcium-rich food—boiling it first is a must!
Still Nutritious? You Bet!
Some people worry that boiling might "remove the nutrients," but honestly, you're only boiling for a short time. You still keep:
• Fiber
• Vitamin A
• Some Vitamin K
• Plus, you make room for your body to absorb more calcium!
So overall, you're doing your body a favor 💚
Lykkers, have you ever tried boiling your spinach like this? Or do you have your own spinach hacks? Drop them in the comments—I love learning new kitchen tricks from you all! Let's keep making healthy eating easier (and tastier) together!
