Hello!

Over the years, we’ve been heavily marketed to by the dairy industry. The most common food pyramid, constructed by the US Department of Agriculture, suggests that we should be drinking three glasses of low-fat milk per day. However, recent research by the Harvard School of Public Health, suggests that milk isn’t an essential part of our diet and that too much can be harmful.

Research also states that we only need the calcium present in cow’s milk and other dairy products for approximately the first two or three years of our life. Beyond that, it is no more beneficial than the calcium you would find in the foods listed below.

Yes, calcium is a very important mineral that we need to grow strong and healthy bones, however there are many other sources from which we can get it other than cows milk. And sometimes, there are those of us who can’t digest it, who suffer with IBS or lactose intolerance. These foods can be considered to be a better source of calcium than milk, because our bodies absorb them more efficiently.

1)    Sardines and Salmon: If you’re short on cash, canned salmon is always a good option and just half a tin will provide you with up to 44% of your daily calcium intake.

2)    Leafy Greens: Kale, spinach, bok choy, cress and kelp are known to contain a lot of calcium.  Many of these go great in a salmon thai red curry.

3)    Almonds: There are so many great ways to get more almonds in your diet right now.  Almond milk has long been a viable substitute for cow’s milk and almond meal is a great replacement for flour in baking.

4)    Bone Broth: Make warming, restorative bone broth from chicken carcasses or beef bones.  Make sure to let it simmer for a minimum of 4 hours to extract enough minerals from the bones.  Skim any foam from the top of your broth every half an hour to remove impurities. Makes a great soup base for your leafy greens and a hearty chicken breast.

5)    Green vegetables: Edamame, broccoli, green beans and okra are great sources of calcium.  So don’t pass on the edamame at your local sushi restaurant.  Kids love to pop the beans out of the shell!

6)    Seeds: Poppy, Sesame and Chia are the best sources.  Try them in bliss balls, smoothies or sprinkled over granola.

7)    Oranges: Choose to eat the fruit over juice to maximise calcium intake and keep sugar down. If you simply can’t do that, juice your own and leave the pulp in!

What do you cook to get more calcium into your body? Share with us below!

Image source Shutterstock.

We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
  • ah so pete read this article lol anyways this is a good list

    Reply

  • Great alternatives – thanks for posting.

    Reply

  • So glad to see an article that doesn’t hold the dairy industry products as the be all of getting dairy into your diet. I use little cows milk and am hoping to phase out all together due to ethical reasons. Most people are not aware that dairy is not the only place to easily get calcium in your diet.

    Reply

  • I go for almonds and almond milk.

    Reply

  • Love posts that teach me something – I don’t eat enough fruit!!

    Reply

  • Having just been diagnosed with a fractured rib, due to osteoporosis, I’m looking for ways to up my calcium intake

    Reply

  • We eat lots of cheese and yoghurt, but also include the items mentioned in this article in our diet.

    Reply

  • Part of this article mentions the first 2 or 3 years of your life.
    Most of the food you would not give to a youg baby or in one case a young toddler. A little one doesn’t have enough teeth to chew almonds properly.
    For a baby whose Mum is unable to breastfeed, some use Goats Milk formula. In fact I know of one Mum whose baby couldn’t digest breastmilk either even the Mum was very careful what she are and drunk.

    Reply

  • Great advice. I’m not such a believer in milk and give my kids only 1 glass a day. They eat lots of greens, nuts, seeds, oranges, eggs and cheese.

    Reply

  • good advice to help those that are lactose intolerant.

    Reply

  • Good article,l get plenty of clacium in my diet through dairy products.

    Reply

Post a comment
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your comment and join MoM:

You May Like

Loading…

Looks like this may be blocked by your browser or content filtering.

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join