Recipes Which Contain Calcium

Support optimal health with healthy meals

Finding recipes which contain calcium is fairly simple given that calcium is one of the most abundant minerals found in all living things.

Many milk products contain large amounts of caclium, though some research suggests that this calcium is not completely bioavailable due to the presence of proteins that inhibit the absorption of calcium.

Recipes that utilize green, leafy vegetables are certain to be great sources of calcium for your dietary needs. Spinach, broccoli and even Bok Choy make for popular dishes, but be careful to not add too much additional fat or sodium to your recipe. If you have children, you may need to hold the line on this issue, but the less their taste buds are bombarded with sodium, fat and sugar, the more they will be able to appreciate the natural flavors of foods.

Recipes using anchovies and sardines are a great way to add calcium to any dish. These brined fish are not as popular as they once were but sardines come marinated in a variety of flavors and are easily chopped and added to a salad. Anchovies almost literally melt when heated and are used as a thickening agent for many traditional seafood sauces in Italian cooking. Before you write off the poor anchovy, give them a try.

Processed foods are often deficient in calcium and other trace minerals when compared to the unprocessed ingredient sources. This is because the refining, rinsing and industrialization of processed foods creates a manufacturing efficiency where the final nutritional is not really a priority. If you're concerned about calcium in your diet, cut out processed foods and move to eating as much whole food and home-preparred recipes as possible.

Below is a listing of some common sources of calcium.

CALCIUM CONTENT OF SOME COMMON FOODS PORTION CALCIUM*
MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS
Milk - 2%, 1%, skim, chocolate 1 cup+/250mL 300 mg
Buttermilk 1 cup/250mL 285 mg
Cheese - Mozzarella 1 1/4"/3 cm cube 200 mg
Cheese - Cheddar, Edam, Gouda  1 1/4"/3 cm cube 245 mg
Yogurt - plain 3/4 cup/185 mL 295 mg
Milk - powder, dry 1/3 cup/75 mL 270 mg
Ice cream  1/2 cup/125 mL 80 mg
Cottage cheese - 2%, 1%  1/2 cup/125 mL 75 mg
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FISH AND ALTERNATIVES
Sardines, with bones 1/2 can/55 g 200 mg
Salmon, with bones - canned 1/2 can/105 g 240 mg
Fortified rice or soy beverage 1 cup/250 mL 300 mg
Fortified orange juice 1 cup/250 mL 300 mg
Molasses. blackstrap 1 tbsp/15 mL 180 mg
Sesame seeds 1/2 cup/125 mL 95 mg
Beans, baked 1/2 cup/125 mL 75 mg
Beans - cooked (kidney, lima) 1 cup/250 mL 50 mg
Soybeans - cooked 1 cup/250 mL 170 mg
Taco 1 small 221 mg
Tofu - with calcium sulfate 3 oz/84 g 130 mg
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BREADS AND CEREALS
Muffin - bran (homemade with milk) 1 medium 84 mg
Bread - whole wheat 2 slices 40 mg
Instant oatmeal, calcium added 1 pouch/32 g 150 mg
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FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Broccoli - cooked 3/4 cup/185 mL 50 mg
Orange 1 medium 50 mg
Banana 1 medium 10 mg
Bok Choy 1/2 cup/125 mL 75 mg
Figs - dried 10 150 mg
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COMBINATION DISHES
Lasagna - homemade 1 cup/250 mL 285 mg
Soup made with milk, such as cream
 of chicken, mushroom or celery
1 cup/250 mL 175 mg


Calcium containing recipes at aboutcalcium.net