Artinem

Many people understand how important calcium intake is for developing and maintaining strong teeth and bones. The mineral plays other roles in the function of the human body, also, and is important for heart health as well.

Dairy products are well known for their calcium content, and millions of people help to ensure sufficient calcium in their diet by relying upon milk, cheese, and yogurt. For various reasons, however, many people cannot depend on dairy. Some are allergic to milk products, and millions more (primarily those of non-Indo-European ancestry) are lactose intolerant. These factors limit the amount and types of dairy product a person may consume, or can completely prohibit dairy consumption. Others, for personal, ethical, or religious reasons, choose not to include dairy in their diets. And some people may simply not prefer these types of foods.

Fortunately for persons who cannot, or will not, eat dairy-based foods, there are multiple other sources of calcium available. Many green vegetables contain significant amounts of calcium. These include broccoli and most types of dark greens, like spinach, kale, turnip greens and collard greens. Bok choy and okra are also good sources, as are almonds and almond butter. Many foods are also calcium-fortified, including most soy milks and some juices.