Women and men ages 19 to 50 need 1,000 milligrams a day, according to the Dietary Reference Intake, which is published by the National Academy of Medicine. Recommended amounts for women over 50 years old vary between 1,200 and 1,500 milligrams per day depending on age and whether the woman is menopausal and on hormone replacement therapy. Gidus says she recommends people always try to get calcium through food first, because it is absorbed better by the body. But if you can’t, it’s okay to turn to supplements. If you’re worried you aren’t getting all your milligrams in, check out the list below for some calcium-rich choices.
Yogurt
A portable way to put calcium in your diet, yogurt is also a good source of protein. Plus, some research has shown that dairy foods like yogurt can be helpful if you’re trying to lose weight because it’s a filling and often low-calorie snack. Select a plain low-fat, low-sugar-content yogurt, mix in some fresh berries for an extra serving of fruit, and you’ve got a satisfying and healthy afternoon snack with almost 50 percent of your daily calcium needs. Recommended Serving Size: 8 ounces of plain nonfat, 452 milligrams of calcium, 127 calories 8 ounces of fruited nonfat yogurt, 345 milligrams of calcium, 190 calories
Milk
Also a good source of protein, milk is our most common supply of calcium. It is often fortified with vitamin D, which helps your body absorb calcium more effectively. If you’re allergic to milk or lactose intolerant, look for soy milk that is fortified with calcium as an alternative, says Gidus. Recommended Serving Size: 8 ounces of low-fat 1%, 290 milligrams of calcium, 102 calories
Romano and Swiss Cheese
These varieties have the highest amount of calcium of all the cheeses, according to Gidus. Cheese is also one of the few good sources of vitamin B2 and a good source of B12. Since cheese is also high in fat, you’ll want to consume it in moderation. Serve four small slices of Swiss with whole wheat crackers for a extra serving of whole grains. Or choose Romano cheese to top your pastas, instead of Parmesan, for a bone-building supplement. Recommended Serving Size: Romano: 1.5 ounces, 452 milligrams of calcium, 150 calories Processed Swiss cheese: 2 ounces, 438 milligrams calcium, 188 calories Non-processed Swiss cheese: 1.5 ounces, 336 milligrams, 168 calories
Tofu
Look for tofu that says on the label that it’s processed with calcium in order to gain maximum benefit from this vegetarian staple, which is derived from soybeans. Tofu is also a good source of a variety of vitamins and minerals. Recommended Serving Size: ½ cup raw tofu processed with calcium, 435 milligrams of calcium, 80 calories
Spinach
Although not nearly as high in calcium as dairy products, spinach does have more calcium than most vegetables. However, the calcium isn’t absorbed as well as the calcium in dairy products, says Gidus. Recommended Serving Size: 1 cup of raw spinach, 29 milligrams of calcium, 20 calories ½ cup cooked spinach, 122 milligrams of calcium, 45 calories (This amount of cooked spinach has more calcium because it actually represents three to four cups of raw spinach.)
Broccoli
The same thing holds true for broccoli as it does with spinach: better than most vegetables when it comes to calcium, but still not as high as dairy. Recommended Serving Size: 1 cup of raw fresh florets, 44 milligrams of calcium, 66 calories
Calcium-Fortified Orange Juice
If you can’t eat diary, Gidus recommends turning to calcium-fortified products like orange juice to meet your daily calcium needs. Many companies manufacture calcium-fortified versions of their popular products. Recommended Serving Size: 8 ounces, about 290 milligrams of calcium, 105 calories (depending on the brand) Originally published on BHG.com, April, 2005.
