7. Whey protein
Whey is a type of protein found in milk that has been well studied for its potential health benefits .
It’s also an excellent protein source and full of rapidly digested amino acids, which help promote muscle growth and recovery.
Interestingly, some studies have even linked whey-rich diets to increased weight loss and improved blood sugar management .
Whey is also exceptionally rich in calcium — a 1.2-ounce (33-gram) scoop of whey protein powder isolate contains approximately 160 mg, or 12% of the DV .
Healthline reviewed the best protein powders and gave our picks for the best of each — including calcium-rich whey protein.
SUMMARYWhey protein is an exceptionally healthy protein source and contains approximately 12% of the DV for calcium in each 1.2-ounce (33-gram) scoop.
8. Leafy greens
Leafy green vegetables are incredibly healthy, and many of them are high in calcium, including collard greens, spinach, and kale.
For instance, 1 cup (190 grams) of cooked collard greens has 268 mg of calcium, or about 21% of the amount that you need in a day.
Note that some varieties, such as spinach, are high in oxalates, which are naturally occurring compounds that bind to calcium and impair its absorption.
Therefore, although spinach is rich in calcium, it’s not absorbed as well as other calcium-rich greens that are low in oxalates, such as kale and collard greens.
SUMMARYSome leafy greens are rich in calcium, including collard greens, which contain 21% of the DV in each cooked cup (190 grams). However, certain leafy greens contain oxalates, which can decrease the absorption of calcium.