Calcium is a mineral crucial for helping you develop strong bones and teeth, and one of the easiest ways to get calcium into your system is by consuming dairy products. Unfortunately, not everyone can eat dairy products due to allergies or lactose intolerance, but that doesn’t mean you can’t easily get your daily recommended amount of calcium. You have to be smart about the foods you consume. So today, we’re going to share five calcium-rich, non-dairy foods you can eat to help strengthen your teeth and jawbones.
5 Calcium Packed Foods
Here are five foods packed with calcium that you won’t find in the dairy food group.
- Orange Juice – Although it’s not a great idea to consume a lot of orange juice because of its sugar content and the fact that it is an acidic drink, orange juice is typically packed with calcium. When you’re looking for a no pulp or high pulp option, odds are there is also a calcium added option. Just one glass of the calcium-enriched orange juice can provide you with your recommended daily amount of calcium!
- Tofu – You can do a lot with tofu, but it can also do a lot for your teeth and bones. Similar to orange juice, you can typically find tofu fortified with calcium. This calcium-rich option can be added to salads, stir-frys or even eaten on its own, and a half cup of enriched tofu can provide you with more than 80 percent of your recommended daily intake.
- Beans – Beans are another great source of calcium. Just one cup of soybeans can provide you with more than half your daily allotment of calcium, while white beans and kidney beans provide you with nearly the same amount. Beans are a great option because they don’t have a very distinct taste, so they can be added to a lot of different dishes without really being noticed. Throw some beans in your next casserole or chili, and your teeth and jawbones with thank you for it.
- Almonds – Almonds are a healthier snacking option than chips or sweets, and they are also great for your teeth. At nearly 250 mg of calcium per cup, a cup of almonds can provide you with roughly 35 percent of your daily recommended calcium intake, as well as a healthy amount of other nutrients, like fiber, magnesium and Vitamin E.
- Leafy Greens – Finally, leafy green vegetables can give you a calcium boost when you’re in a pinch. Vegetables like kale, collard greens, and spinach all contain a sizeable amount of calcium along with other vitamins and minerals your teeth can benefit from. A leafy green salad with some tofu or soybeans will have you quickly reaching your daily calcium recommendation.
If you’re looking for some non-dairy options to help you get some more calcium in your diet, look no further than the foods above. And, if you want more help caring for your teeth, reach out to Dr. Brooks’ office today.