Many people confuse “dairy” with “calcium,”
and assume they are the same thing. Most still believe that
dairy is the best thing for healthy and strong bones. Dairy
contains calcium, but so do dark-leafy greens. Milk is fortified
with vitamin D, as are many other foods.
Bone health goes beyond
calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin K is important for bone health,
dark leafy greens have it but dairy does not. Magnesium, which
plays an important part of bone health, is present in foods like
almonds, cashews, oatmeal, and potatoes, but missing in dairy
products.
You should get enough calcium in your diet, and milk and cheese
are good sources of it. However there are many other good
sources. The Harvard School of Public Health and the University of Missouri point out
that milk is not the best, or only source of calcium. If you are
looking for good sources of calcium and Vitamin D, consider
collard greens, mustard greens, kale, and bok choy instead of
milk.