Hi, I’ve just had a nasty shock with an ankle injury. The result is I am taking Evacal D3 and analysing my diet, which I think wasn’t too bad from a calcium point of view, although I’m improving it. However, I had not previously realised that some foods inhibit calcium absorption. From what I would normally eat bran flakes and rhubarb (when the garden produces) seem to be the main culprits. So they’re off the menu now. However, I read that porridge oats can have an affect on calcium absorption, although not so much if you soak them first. Does anyone know of any data on this? I realise this is rather petty in the big scheme of things but I really don’t like having cornflakes for breakfast every day (as an evening snack fine), but if porridge is not good I’ll have to change. Context: diagnosed with osteopenia about ten years ago and waiting for another DEXA scan. Like I imagine everyone else on this forum I want to do the best for my bones.
Hi Jill999, and welcome to the online community!
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8558315/
I managed to find an abstract on the NIH website that seems to suggest that the absorption of calcium is inhibited by wheat bran.
My search on rhubarb was inconclusive, with an NIH abstract suggesting that it doesn’t inhibit calcium absorption, but other websites suggesting it does…
My take from the research that I have done though seems to suggest that for both it only prevents absorption of calcium from the food present in your stomach when they are eaten, not on an ongoing basis. So, if you fancy an occasional bit of rhubarb and custard, then it’s not going to do much harm in the long term, and you can make up the lost calcium at another meal.
It all comes down to having a balanced, varied diet that will provide you and your bones with the nutrients that they need 
Thanks Flutterby, thats really helpful. I am very patrial to rhubarb with greek yogurt :-)