Calcium needs for children with cow's milk allergy

Is your child getting enough calcium? If your child has to avoid dairy products for their cow's milk allergy, make sure they are eating enough other foods containing calcium.

See our top tips on how to include calcium foods.

How much calcium does my child need each day?

Dairy products provide most people with their main source of calcium. If your child has to avoid dairy products because they are allergic to cow's milk, make sure they are eating enough other foods containing calcium to meet their daily needs.

Age	mg/day
1-3	500
4-8	700
9-11	1000
12-18	1300

What dairy-free foods have calcium?

Alternative milks	Calcium (mg)
Soy, rice, oat, almond milks, fortified with calcium, 100mls	120
Alternative dairy products
Angel Foods cheddar, 30g	98
Kingland soy yoghurt, 100g	50
Alpro soy dessert, 125g	150
Alpro soy custard, 100mls	120
Tofu (soy bean curd), 1 cup	275
Cereals
Light 'n' Tasty, 1 cup	400
Special K, 1 cup	320
Nutrigrain, 1 cup	110
Egg, 1 large	35
Fish & shellfish
Salmon, canned in spring water, 100g (including the bones)	270
Sardines, 50g canned	250
Green mussels, steamed, x 1	14
Fruit
Dried figs, x 2	64
Fresh fruit, 1 average serve	20
Rhubarb, 1 cup	230
Legumes
Baked beans, ½ cup	50
Cannellini beans, canned, ¼ cup	28
Seeds
Poppy seeds, 1 teaspoon	43
Sesame seeds, 2 tablespoons	168
Tahini, 2 tablespoons	106
Tree Nuts
Almonds, raw, 10	34
Vegetables
Broccoli, boiled, 1 cup	52
Rocket leaves, 1 cup	75
Silverbeet, boiled, 1 cup	39
Spinach, boiled, 1 cup	130

Should my child have a calcium supplement?

Your child may need a calcium supplement if they are only getting 50 percent or less of their calcium needs due to a lack of calcium-rich foods. You can buy a calcium supplement, or your doctor can prescribe one. Give your child a calcium supplement with meals.

A multivitamin and mineral supplement will not provide enough calcium. You will need to give your child a separate calcium supplement. There are many options available and you can buy them online, at the supermarket, health shop or at your local pharmacy.

If you are buying a supplement, check the supplement is dairy-free, or free of any other ingredients your child may be allergic to. Ask your family doctor to refer you to a dietitian. A dietitian will check how much calcium your child is currently getting in food. They will give you advice about how much extra calcium your child will need.

References

The Concise NZ Food Composition Tables, 12th edition, 2016.

Acknowledgements

The content on this page has been developed and approved by the National Child and Youth Allergy Clinical Network, Paediatric Society New Zealand.