It is known that we need calcium for strong and healthy bones. Many of us rely on milk as a source of calcium.
But how much calcium is actually in milk?
We will compare the nutritional value of traditional cow's milk with five alternatives: almond milk, rice milk, soy milk, coconut milk and goat milk.
You might refrain including some of these milks in your morning bowl of cornflakes, but the calcium content (and additional benefits) in them might just surprise you.
Calcium content in 1 cup of milk
:Cow's milk (full fat) - 300 mg
Cow's milk 2% - 300 mg
Cow's milk 1% - 300 mg
Cow's milk (skimmed) - 300 mg
Almond milk (unsweetened) - 0 mg
Rice milk (unsweetened) - 283 mg
Soy milk - 300 mg
Coconut milk drink (unsweetened) - 130 mg
Goat's milk - 300 mg
Cow's milk has been the main source of calcium for decades.
For reference - the recommended daily intake of calcium is 1000 mg for women under 51 and men under 71.
For women over 51 and men over 71, it is 1200 mg.
As for cheese, the best source of calcium is Parmesan.
It provides 1268 mg per 100 g (although it is usually consumed in much smaller amounts).
And plain old yogurt provides somewhere between 154-176 mg of calcium per 100 g.
