5 Vitamin D-Rich Foods to Add to Your Diet

by Edwina Clark
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5 Vitamin D-Rich Foods to Add to Your Diet

It’s normal to hibernate inside and crave hearty soups and stews and warm comfort foods when it’s cold out. But less sunlight exposure means our bodies make less vitamin D, an important nutrient for bone health, regulating immunity, reducing inflammation and boosting neuromuscular function. Rather than reaching for a vitamin D supplement, (which doesn’t have the fiber and other micronutrients you’d find in whole foods), add these five items to your diet:

This pink-hued fish is one of the best food sources of vitamin D with 447 IUs (75% DV) per 3-ounce serving. Salmon is also a rich source of heart-healthy omega-3 fats, protein, B-vitamins, phosphorus and selenium, which support everything from brain health to immunity. Try topping a big winter salad with pan-fried salmon or make this savory smoked salmon and Brussels sprouts scramble.

This pantry staple provides 154 IUs of vitamin D (26% DV) per 3-ounce serving and is a versatile and affordable source of the sunshine vitamin. Like salmon, tuna is a source of protein, anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats, B-vitamins, phosphorus and selenium. Whip up a quick tuna salad and spread it over apple slices or mix it into a hearty salad to enjoy a dose of vitamin D.

These mushrooms have a distinctive ‘frilly’ appearance and offer 393 IUs of vitamin D (66% DV) per 1/2 cup serving. Also known as ‘hen of the wood’, preliminary studies suggest that maitake have anti-cancer and anti-diabetic properties. Add maitakes to winter soups and stir-fries or dice them and add to pasta sauce to enhance the flavor.

Vitamin D-fortified milk provides 115–124 IUs (20% DV) of vitamin D per cup. Make a batch of hot chocolate at home with vitamin D-fortified milk or start your day with oats cooked in milk to stay warm (and get adequate vitamin D) this winter. Go for reduced-fat milk or whole over fat-free. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and milk with at least some fat remaining is a better delivery vehicle.

A lesser known source of vitamin D, two eggs provide 82 IUs (11% DV) of vitamin D, as well as high-quality protein, B-vitamins, phosphorus, selenium, choline and a little iron. Enjoy a quick egg sandwich for breakfast or try one of these delicious recipes.

About the Author

Edwina Clark

Edwina is a pioneer for dietitians in innovation and has worked for a number of startups as a nutrition strategist, brand spokesperson, and content creator. She is formerly the Head of Nutrition and Wellness at Yummly, where she was responsible for developing nutrition solutions for over 28 million users. Prior to working in tech, Edwina worked in corporate wellness for EXOS, serving clients such as State Street, Google Europe, and Intel. She is a prominent media dietitian and has been featured in SELF, Women’s Health, and Teen Vogue, among others. Edwina hails from Sydney, Australia and is dually credentialed as a dietitian in the US and her home country. She is a former captain of the Boston University Track and Field Team and a Certified Specialty Sports Dietitian. In her free time, you can find Edwina blogging on edwinaclark.com, running, and planning her next travel adventure

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