Does organic oat milk have calcium in it?

[VickiKat]

Hi, my 5 year old is dairy free currently so I give him organic oat milk. Does it have ANY calcium in it? Eek - panicking......I saw somewhere they don't add calcium to organic oat milk.

What does the carton say?

No. It can’t because you can’t get organic calcium.

You need a milk forfeited with calcium, vitamin D and iodine.

And don’t forget dairy milk has a heck of a lot more protein too.

It may be fortified with calcium. Most milk alternatives are. In order to be labelled organic there needs to be 95% organic ingredients. Check on the back of pack

Check the packaging

Thanks everyone, no mention at all of calcium on the pack and on the website says they don't add it. I didn't use normal oat milk as don't like the look of all the other ingredients e g stabilisers etc compared to dairy milk - really worried he has had no calcium since July - is that a disaster? (Want to cry!) I assume I could get some calcium supplements...

It should be fortified with calcium.
Soya milk has calcium in.

Also milk isn't the only source of calcium, he can get it from broccoli, salmon, nuts, s eeds, tofu, lentils etc

He should be on a multi vitamin anyway?

Organic oat milk doesn't have added vitamins unfortunately. I tried to get this without all the oils etc but haven't found a brand like that

Thanks - he is on a multi vit but it only has 3mg so nowhere near the 1000 he needs a day....

Get that broccoli in! Loads more options than dairy for calcium- despite what the industry want people to think

Loads of sources of calcium, check the items I posted before.

Of he's got a good diet, he probably has been having enough

Sardines with the bones left in have loads of calcium.

Where are you getting the 1000mg figure from??

------
Calcium

Adults need 700mg of calcium a day. You should be able to get all the calcium you need by eating a varied and balanced diet.

Good sources of calcium include:

• milk, cheese and other dairy foods
• green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage and okra, but not spinach
• soya beans
• tofu
• plant-based drinks (such as soya drink) with added calcium
• nuts
• bread and anything made with fortified flour
• fish where you eat the bones, such as sardines and pilchards
• Although spinach contains a lot of calcium, it also contains oxalate, which reduces calcium absorption, and it is therefore not a good source of calcium.

---- www.nhs.uk/live-well/bone-health/food-for-strong-bones/

I love your optimism there @TeaAndJaffacakes .
<shudders at crunching sounds>

Oatly barrista is the one recommended by dieticians. After that next choice would be the Oatley in the blue carton. You are correct there is no calcium in the organic one.

They're not crunchy in the tinned ones

You can’t easily supplement calcium, change the milk to one with added calcium.

www.wsh.nhs.uk/CMS-Documents/Patient-leaflets/NutritionandDieteticService/5801-1Howtogetenoughcalciuminyourdiet.pdf

According to this nhs info leaflet, if a 5 year got all their calcium needs from broccoli they would probably need to eat about 18 tbsps of broccoli every day! However, OP you’ll probably find that he’s been eating other foods with calcium too. Add it up but I’m guessing switching milk to fortified will be the best way to ensure he gets enough.

@HoofWankingSpangleCunt I think the tinned ones were meant, don’t just eat regular fish bones 😂 anchovies are also great, the bones just sort of soften and disintegrate when cooked. Great in a pasta sauce.

Bread often has added calcium.

Why is he dairy free? If it’s a medical reason has he been referred to a paediatric dietitian?

That's clearly the amount for adults - kids often need greater amounts of nutrients be ause they are growing.

www.mkuh.nhs.uk/patient-information-leaflet/sources-of-calcium-for-a-cows-milk-free-diet

This says a 5 year old needs 450mg of calcium

www.bda.uk.com/resource/calcium.html also says 450mg