Foods high in calcium

Calcium helps maintain bones and teeth and is needed for muscle contraction, nerve signalling and normal blood clotting. Foods near the top of this list include poppy seeds, dried spinach, Bombay duck, fortified dried skimmed milk and dried shrimps. The list ranks foods by their calcium content per 100g, rather than by the amount usually eaten.

Typical portion sizes therefore matter when comparing calcium sources. Dried foods contain less water than fresh or prepared foods, so their calcium content by weight can be more concentrated. Calcium content alone does not describe a food’s overall nutritional composition; salt, saturated fat and energy content may also be relevant. Full figures are in the tables below.