Top Vitamin D Foods: Natural & Fortified Sources

Vitamin D is a vitamin that helps the body use calcium. It is unique in that it is found in few foods naturally but is found in many foods due to fortification. Vitamin D is also effective when taken in a supplement form

Misconceptions

• Although milk contains vitamin D, it does not occur there naturally. Milk must be fortified with vitamin D.

Fortified foods

• Foods made with vitamin D-fortified ingredients will contain vitamin D, such as puddings, yogurts, breads, cereals and soy products.

Sunlight

• The best source of vitamin D is from our own bodies, which produce it in response to sunlight exposure.

Considerations

• Liver contains vitamin D, but only about 4 percent of the RDA.

Fish

• Oily fish such as tuna, salmon and sardines can contain an entire day's worth of vitamin D in one dose.

Vegetarian Options

• Mushrooms are a good source of vitamin D, and they are the only natural source of vitamin D available to vegetarians.