Introduction

Calcium is needed to help build and maintain healthy bones and teeth –always check the food labels to ensure the food is gluten free.

Examples of suitable foods

 

Food

Calcium

Content

Dairy Sources

Glass of skimmed milk (280ml, ½ pint)

Glass of semi-skimmed milk (280ml, ½ pint)

Glass of whole milk (280ml, ½ pint)

Pot of Yoghurt (150g)

Cheddar cheese (30g)

2 tablespoons grated hard cheese (20g)

Cheese snack (such as cheese string, mini babybel)

Semi-skimmed milk on cereal (100ml)

1 large cheese spread triangle (23g)

1 pot fromage frais (100g)

1 scoop ice cream(60g)

355mg

345mg

340mg

225mg

220mg

150mg

130mg

125mg

120mg

 85mg

 75mg

Dairy Free Alternatives

Glass of calcium enriched soya milk (280ml, ½ pint)

Lacto-free milk (280ml, ½ pint)

Glass of calcium enriched rice milk (280ml, ½ pint)

Glass of calcium enriched oat milk (280ml, ½ pint)

Pot of soya yoghurt

Soya custard (120g)

Pot of soya dessert

1 scoop of soya ice cream

370mg

342mg

335mg

335mg

150mg

145mg

135mg

    6mg

Other Sources

Fruit juice with added calcium (250ml)

2 tinned pilchards

2 tinned sardines with bones

Fortified cereal bars (per bar) - check if GF

4 white bait (16g)

300mg

275mg

260mg

180mg

140mg

 

Food

Calcium

Content

 Other Sources

1 tablespoon of tahini (sesame seed paste)

Shelled prawns (60g or 20 prawns)

Small can baked beans (150g) - check the brand is GF

1 large orange (210g)

2 tablespoons cooked spring greens

7 dried apricots (56g)

2 spears of broccoli (90g)

1 egg (57g)

1/6 of a small cabbage, boiled

Bag of peanuts (50g)

3 tablespoons of boiled lentils

1 tablespoon of kidney beans

1 tablespoon of hummus

Gluten free bread (Warburton's) per slice

Juvela, Genius, Glutafin  per slice (approx.)

130mg

100mg

 80mg

 70mg

 70mg

 40mg

 30mg

 30mg

 30mg

 30mg

 25mg

 25mg

 12mg

180mg

50-70mg

Requirements

The amount of calcium you need for your daily requirements varies at different stages of life.

Infants

Under One Year

=  525mg

Children

1—3 years

4—6 years

7—10 years

=  350mg

=  450mg

=  550mg

Adolescents

11—18 years girls

11—18 years boys

=  800mg

= 1000mg

 

Contact us

If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Dietetics service.

About this information

Service:
Dietetics

Reference:
DT/078

Approval date:
21 May 2026

Review date:
1 May 2029

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Important note 

This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.