Bone & joint healthNutritionOsteoporosis

What to eat for strong bones

Find out which foods keep bones healthy and protect against bone loss.


LearnBone & jointBone & joint healthWhat to eat for strong bones
Choose cheese for calcium
Open a can of salmon
Sip some orange juice
Go Green: Eat Kale
Bake sweet potatoes
Drizzle on some olive oil
Reach for tomatoes

1 of 8

What you eat is an important part of taking care of your bones for life—and the most basic step is eating a well-balanced diet.

“The healthier you are in general, you’re going to have healthier bones,” says orthopedic surgeon Joseph Assini, MD, with OrthoONE at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colorado. When it comes to diet, “calcium is really the building block of our bones," he says. "Calcium is what calcifies the cells that become bone.” Read on for his recommendations for foods that boost bone health.

Written by Shaun Chavis.
Medically reviewed by Mark Arredondo, MD.November, 2023
Updated onAugust, 2026
Written by Shaun Chavis.
Medically reviewed by Mark Arredondo, MD.November, 2023
Updated onAugust, 2026
AskMDAskMD

Curious about Bone & joint health?

Get instant answers from our AI health assistant

Ask Now

Recommended for you

Rich in vitamin D and calcium, adding these foods to your diet is a good idea for your bones and joints.

Bone-strengthening foods to lower your risk of osteoporosis
Article

Calcium-rich dairy isn't the only way to go. Check out these foods that support a stronger skeleton.

4 great foods for healthier bones
Article

Follow these simple strategies to prevent or slow the bone loss that can lead to osteoporosis.

10 ways to improve bone health
Slideshow

Common things you eat every day may cause bone loss.

The 4 worst things for your bones
Article

Learn about the ways bones change as you grow older, plus ways to keep them strong.

5 important things to know about osteoporosis
Article
AskMDHow can I be more consistent?
AskMD by Sharecare LogoAskMD by Sharecare Logo
Privacy policyConsumer health data privacyTerms of use
Cookie policyYour privacy choices

© 2026 Sharecare, Inc.

ask-mdask-md
AskMD by Sharecare LogoAskMD by Sharecare Logo
Privacy policyConsumer health data privacyTerms of use
Cookie policyYour privacy choices

© 2026 Sharecare, Inc.