Calcium Content of Foods

Check out this list of calcium-rich foods. Find a breakdown of calcium content in various vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, grains, fish and more.

Dairy and soy

  Amount Calcium (mg)
Milk (skim, low fat, whole) 1 cup 300
Buttermilk 1 cup 300
Cottage cheese 0.5 cup 65
Ice cream or ice milk 0.5 cup 100
Sour cream, cultured 1 cup 250
Soy milk, calcium fortified 1 cup 200 to 400
Yogurt 1 cup 450
Yogurt drink 12 oz 300
Carnation Instant Breakfast 1 packet 250
Hot cocoa, calcium fortified 1 packet 320
Nonfat dry milk powder 5 Tbsp 300
Brie cheese 1 oz 50
Hard cheese (cheddar, jack) 1 oz 200
Mozzarella 1 oz 200
Parmesan cheese 1 Tbsp 70
Swiss or gruyere 1 oz 270

Vegetables

  Amount Calcium (mg)
Acorn squash, cooked 1 cup 90
Arugula, raw 1 cup 125
Bok choy, raw 1 cup 40
Broccoli, cooked 1 cup 180
Chard or okra, cooked 1 cup 100
Chicory (curly endive), raw 1 cup 40
Collard greens 1 cup 50
Corn, brine packed 1 cup 10
Dandelion greens, raw 1 cup 80
Kale, raw 1 cup 55
Kelp or kombe 1 cup 60
Mustard greens 1 cup 40
Spinach, cooked 1 cup 240
Turnip greens, raw 1 cup 80

Fruits

  Amount Calcium (mg)
Figs, dried, uncooked 1 cup 300
Kiwi, raw 1 cup 50
Orange juice, calcium fortified 8 oz 300
Orange juice, from concentrate 1 cup 20

Legumes

  Amount Calcium (mg)
Garbanzo beans, cooked 1 cup 80
Legumes, general, cooked 0.5 cup 15 to 50
Pinto beans, cooked 1 cup 75
Soybeans, boiled 0.5 cup 100
Tempeh 0.5 cup 75
Tofu, firm, calcium set 4 oz 250 to 750
Tofu, soft regular 4 oz 120 to 390
White beans, cooked 0.5 cup 70

Grains

  Amount Calcium (mg)
Cereals (calcium fortified) 0.5 to 1 cup 250 to 1000
Amaranth, cooked 0.5 cup 135
Bread, calcium fortified 1 slice 150 to 200
Brown rice, long grain, raw 1 cup 50
Oatmeal, instant 1 package 100 to 150
Tortillas, corn 2 85

Nuts and seeds

  Amount Calcium (mg)
Almonds, toasted unblanched 1 oz. 80
Sesame seeds, whole roasted 1 oz. 280
Sesame tahini 1 oz. (2 Tbsp) 130
Sunflower seeds, dried 1 oz. 50

Fish

  Amount Calcium (mg)
Mackerel, canned 3 oz. 250
Salmon, canned, with bones 3 oz. 170 to 210
Sardines 3 oz. 370

Other

  Amount Calcium (mg)
Molasses, blackstrap 1 Tbsp 135

* When range is given, calcium content varies by product.

* The calcium content of plant foods is varied. Most vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit contain some calcium. Listed are selected significant sources of well-absorbed calcium.

References:

  • USDA database, Handbook 8 palm program
  • Bowes and Church

How much do you need?

Age Calcium (mg)
1 – 3 year old 500 mg
4 — 8 year old 800 mg
9 – 18 year old 1300 mg
19 – 50 year old 1000 mg
51 – 70 year old 1200 mg
70 and older 1200 mg

UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.