The primary vegetable source of Vitamin D is mushrooms, especially those exposed to UV light (sunlight), which convert light into Vitamin D2, with types like shiitake, maitake, and portobello being great options. While other vegetables like spinach, kale, broccoli, and sweet potatoes contain some nutrients that support bone health, they aren't significant natural sources, so pairing them with UV-exposed mushrooms or fortified foods is key.
Mushrooms: Certain mushrooms, such as maitake, morel, and shiitake, can produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. When fresh button mushrooms are deliberately exposed to the sun during midday for a duration of 15 to 20 minutes, they can produce significant amounts of vitamin D2.
Some of the most nutrient-dense vegetables are dark, leafy greens, such as:
To quickly increase Vitamin D, combine safe sunlight exposure (10-20 mins daily without sunscreen for lighter skin), taking high-dose Vitamin D3 supplements (consult a doctor first), and eating foods like fatty fish (salmon, tuna), egg yolks, fortified milk/cereals, and sun-exposed mushrooms, ensuring you take supplements with a fat source for better absorption.
Which foods are high in vitamin D?
The best sources are the flesh of fatty fish and fish liver oils. Smaller amounts are found in egg yolks, cheese, and beef liver.
Eggs are high in vitamin D, with a serving of two eggs containing 8.2µg of vitamin D. This is 82% of the recommended dietary intake for adults 51-70 years and more than 100% for younger age groups. Eggs are one of the highest food sources of vitamin D.
Although the list of foods naturally high in vitamin D is a short one, there are foods and beverages – like milk, orange juice, nutritional shakes and breakfast cereals fortified with the nutrient to help make life a little easier!
Symptoms when vitamin D is low
Fatigue. Not sleeping well. Bone pain or achiness. Depression or feelings of sadness.
The fastest way to increase vitamin D is usually through high-dose supplements prescribed by a doctor for a deficiency, combined with moderate, safe sunlight exposure and incorporating fortified foods like milk/yogurt and foods rich in D like fatty fish (salmon, tuna) and eggs, but always consult a doctor first for proper levels and dosage.
No natural fruits are high in Vitamin D; it's primarily from sunlight, fatty fish, and fortified foods, but some fruits help absorption (avocado, banana) or are fortified (orange juice), while dried figs and apricots offer some benefits, so focus on fortified juices, plant milks, or supplements for D, alongside fruits that support its function.
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While there's no single "number 1" healthiest fruit, blueberries are consistently ranked at the top for their exceptional antioxidant power (anthocyanins), supporting brain health, heart function, and potentially reducing inflammation and risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Other top contenders include avocados for healthy fats and fiber, raspberries for fiber, and pomegranates for antioxidants, but blueberries often stand out as a top choice.
Fatty fish (like trout, salmon, tuna, and mackerel) and fish liver oils are among the best natural sources of vitamin D. Beef liver, egg yolks, and cheese have small amounts of vitamin D. Mushrooms provide a little vitamin D. Some mushrooms have been exposed to ultraviolet light to increase their vitamin D content.
No, carrots do not contain vitamin D. This nutrient is most commonly found in animal-based foods, fortified foods, certain types of fish, and can be synthesized in the body with exposure to sunlight.
You can become deficient in vitamin D for different reasons:
Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets in children and will precipitate and exacerbate osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fractures in adults. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risk of common cancers, autoimmune diseases, hypertension, and infectious diseases.
To quickly increase Vitamin D, combine safe sunlight exposure (10-20 mins daily without sunscreen for lighter skin), taking high-dose Vitamin D3 supplements (consult a doctor first), and eating foods like fatty fish (salmon, tuna), egg yolks, fortified milk/cereals, and sun-exposed mushrooms, ensuring you take supplements with a fat source for better absorption.
Yes, you can do a vitamin D test at home using simple finger-prick kits (like TouchBio, 2San, We Test Bio) that provide quick, preliminary results (often in 10 mins) by analyzing a drop of blood to check if levels are sufficient, insufficient, or deficient, helping you monitor bone health and immune support, but you should always discuss abnormal results with a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Eggs are one of the few natural sources rich in vitamin D, containing both vitamin D₃ (D₃) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25(OH)D₃). 25-Hydroxyvitamin D₃ is especially useful because it provides five times the relative biological activity of vitamin D.
Symptoms when vitamin D is low
Minerals in an egg
In the UK, a reference nutrient intake (RNI) of 10mcg of vitamin D per day is now recommended for everyone in the population over 4 years of age (Vitamins and minerals - Vitamin D - NHS (www.nhs.uk) . Two medium eggs would provide about one third (32%) of this amount.
Luckily, this collection of food with vitamin D can help. Recipes containing ingredients like oily fish, fortified yogurt, egg yolks or cheese can help boost your levels. Plus, they taste a lot better than any supplement you'd buy at the store.
Individuals with deficient or insufficient circulating vitamin D concentrations (i.e., <30 ng/mL) are more likely to take longer to fall asleep (i.e., longer sleep latency and later sleep timing) and/or exhibit shorter sleep duration (11–16).