In the medical community, there is still a lot of contention about whether or not dairy is good for the human body but more and more evidence is pointing the other way. Most people are lactose-intolerant, and high-dairy diets lead to increased incidences of chronic medical problems like heart disease and diabetes. Since milk and milk products are so heavily associated with calcium, you might be wondering how you’ll make up for the deficit if you reduce them in your diet. Worry no more because there are plenty of plant-based sources of calcium that do the job even better. 1. Kale: If you aren’t already aware of kale’s reputation as a superfood, you might need to get out more! The leafy green packs 101mg of calcium per cup (raw). 2. Collard greens: With 268mg per (cooked) cup, this Southern staple will cover almost a quarter of your daily calcium requirements. They’re also rich in vitamin A. Saute with olive oil and garlic for a great addition to a summer meal. 3. Tofu: With a whopping 434mg of calcium per ½ cup, this vegetarian-friendly soybean substitute will really boost your intake of that mineral (and give you a protein boost in the process). 4. White beans: Not only will you get 63mg of calcium from ½ cup of white beans, but you’ll also benefit from their high protein, fiber, iron, and potassium contents. 5. Hemp milk: In recent years, hemp has emerged as another powerful superfood and one that can be consumed in a variety of ways. The milk is a particularly potent way to get calcium, with one cup containing an amazing 460mg. 6. Almonds: Nuts are great for your health in general (as long as you consume them in moderation since they do tend to be high in calories), and almonds are one of the best. Just one handful delivers 75mg of calcium. 7. Bok choy: It’s a bit of an unusual veggie in the Western world but bok choy is a popular Chinese cabbage with 74mg of calcium per cup, along with fiber and vitamins A and C. Toss it in a stir-fry and enjoy! 8. Broccoli: This green veggie packs 86mg of calcium per 2 cups. Plus, diets high in broccoli have been linked to lower risk of cancer. 9. Figs: If you have haven’t tried figs, they’re awesome. They’re sweet and dessert-like, but have tons of fiber and potassium (plus 121mg of calcium per ½ cup!). Add them to salads, pizza or drizzle a little honey over them. Yum! 10. Oranges: The uber-refreshing citrus fruits contain about 74mg of calcium each. Of course, they’re also famous for their vitamin C and immunity boosting properties. Whether you’re thinking about going full vegan or you’re just trying to cut back on dairy to see how it influences the way you feel, make sure to introduce a few of these foods in the meantime! I don’t believe milk is for humans but that’ll be covered next week. Think about this, where do big boned, strong animals like elephants, hippos and cows get their calcium? What are your thoughts on dairy? Have you ever tried cutting back on it? Does it make a difference in the way you feel? For more natural health tips visit our blog at: http://www.alkalife.com.au/blog
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