Recipes to Get More Vitamin D (2024)

Very few foods are naturally rich in vitamin D, which promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and then helps deposit them in bones and teeth to make them strong and healthy. Vitamin D is most often found in fortified foods, like milk, soymilk and fortified cereals. Naturally occurring vitamin D is found in fatty fish, such as mackerel, salmon, and sardines, and in egg yolks. These healthy recipes are a delicious way to get more of this nutrient into your daily diet.

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Ricotta & Yogurt Parfait

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Recipes to Get More Vitamin D (1)

Reminiscent of a lemon cheesecake, this healthy breakfast recipe is easy to throw together in the morning. Or stir together the filling in a jar the night before and top with the fruit, nuts and seeds when you get to work.

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Superfood Chopped Salad with Salmon & Creamy Garlic Dressing

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Recipes to Get More Vitamin D (2)

Curly kale forms the base of this salad, but you could use chard or spinach. To the greens, add a multitude of chopped veggies, such as broccoli, cabbage and carrots. Finish with rich salmon for protein and a drizzle of creamy yogurt dressing to bring it all together.

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Spinach-Mushroom Frittata with Avocado Salad

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Recipes to Get More Vitamin D (3)

Frittatas are like omelets, only easier--and they taste great hot, warm or cold. This vegetable-packed version is spiked with Mediterranean flavor and paired with a cool salad of lemony cucumbers and tomatoes with creamy avocado. This easy recipe is perfect for brunch, lunch or dinner!

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Salmon Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

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Recipes to Get More Vitamin D (4)

An easy-to-make slaw served on the side of these salmon tacos makes for a filling and fast weeknight dinner. If you prefer more heat in these fish tacos, simply add a pinch or two of chipotle chile powder or cayenne with the chili powder.

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"Egg in a Hole" Peppers with Avocado Salsa

Recipes to Get More Vitamin D (5)

Colorful bell pepper rings stand in for bread in this healthy version of egg in a hole. Cook an egg inside the peppers and top with a vibrant avocado salsa for a cheerful breakfast.

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Walnut-Rosemary Crusted Salmon

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Salmon and walnuts are both great sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Pair this easy salmon recipe with a simple salad and a side of roasted potatoes or quinoa.

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Unicorn Smoothie

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Recipes to Get More Vitamin D (7)

Turn a healthy breakfast into a magical treat with the naturally colorful layers in this fruit smoothie. Add a fruit skewer to take this fun rainbow recipe to the next level.

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Chickpeas with Garlicky Yogurt & Toasted Pita (Fatteh Hommos)

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Fatteh means "broken" and signifies a dish of toasted bread pieces mixed with other ingredients. In this easy recipe, the yogurt is also "broken" with tahini, garlic and oil. Enjoy it immediately, before the crispy bread gets soggy from the yogurt.

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Cajun Salmon with Greek Yogurt Remoulade

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Recipes to Get More Vitamin D (9)

Paprika and garlic powder make a quick Cajun-inspired seasoning that flavors salmon fillets in this easy dinner recipe. Traditionally, remoulade sauce is prepared with mayonnaise; here, we substitute nonfat Greek yogurt for a lighter version.

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Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Chickpeas & Spinach

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Recipes to Get More Vitamin D (10)

Simmer eggs in a rich tomatoey cream sauce studded with chickpeas and silky spinach for a super-fast vegetarian dinner. Serve with a piece of crusty bread to soak up the sauce. Be sure to use heavy cream; a lower-fat option might curdle when mixed with acidic tomatoes.

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No-Bake Berry Cheesecake Bars

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As if no-bake weren't tempting enough, consider that the graham cracker crust for these berry cheesecake bars has pecans in it. Ooh la la! In the filling, nonfat Greek yogurt and reduced-fat cream cheese cut the calories and saturated fat.

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Grilled Salmon Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette

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Recipes to Get More Vitamin D (12)

Homemade raspberry dressing? You bet. Prep it a day ahead and this easy salmon salad will come together in no time.

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Bacon & Egg Breakfast Tacos

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Recipes to Get More Vitamin D (13)

Breakfast tacos are quintessential morning eats in Austin, but with this breakfast taco recipe you can enjoy them wherever you are. The smoky, earthy ancho chile salsa is what makes these extra-special, though for a quicker weekday breakfast, feel free to swap in your favorite store-bought salsa.

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Pumpkin Spice Latte

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No super-sweet sugar bombs here! Make your very own pumpkin spice latte at home with this healthy recipe that allows you to control just how much added sugar goes into your coffee drink. If you would rather have a vegan latte, use whatever nondairy milk you'd like. Real pumpkin puree, maple syrup, cinnamon and coffee--it's fall in a mug!

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Honey Mustard Salmon with Mango Quinoa

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In this 30-minute dinner recipe, grilled, honey mustard-coated salmon is served with a tasty grain salad made with quinoa, mango, jalapeño and almonds.

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Fig & Honey Yogurt

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In this Mediterranean-inspired snack, dried figs and honey top plain yogurt. Substitute fresh figs if you can find them.

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Salmon & Asparagus with Lemon-Garlic Butter Sauce

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Looking for a recipe to help you eat more heart-healthy fish and veggies? Add this salmon and asparagus dinner to your rotation. Not only is it healthy and delicious, this sheet-pan dinner is also easy to make and a breeze to clean up.

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Polenta Bowls with Roasted Vegetables & Fried Eggs

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Recipes to Get More Vitamin D (18)

You really can't beat creamy polenta with a fried egg on top--unless you add some roasted veggies, as we've done in this hearty and healthy meal in a bowl. Serve these bowls for a satisfying brunch, lunch or dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes. Feel free to swap (or add) in other veggies, such as broccoli, to customize your bowls according to what's in season or what you have on hand.

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Roasted Salmon with Smoky Chickpeas & Greens

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Recipes to Get More Vitamin D (19)

In this healthy salmon dinner, you'll get a dose of greens and green dressing! Chowing down on 6 or more servings of dark leafy greens a week can help keep your brain in top shape. This dish features the Test Kitchen's current go-to method for doctoring a can of chickpeas: spice them up and roast until crispy.

Recipes to Get More Vitamin D (2024)

FAQs

What dishes are high in vitamin D? ›

The best food sources of vitamin D are oily fish, including salmon, mackerel, and sardines. Other sources include egg yolks, red meat, and liver. Vitamin D is added to some foods too, including breakfast cereals, plant milks and fat spreads.

How do I make sure I am getting enough vitamin D? ›

People typically get enough vitamin D from sun exposure: When sunlight hits the skin, the skin converts that ultraviolet radiation to vitamin D. People also get vitamin D from certain foods—including fish, egg yolks, and fortified milk and cereal—or dietary supplements.

How can I raise my vitamin D level quickly? ›

Here are three ways to increase your intake:
  1. Eat foods high in vitamin D, like fish or fortified breakfast foods (milk, cereals and orange juice).
  2. Get vitamin D from moderate sunlight exposure each day.
  3. Take a vitamin D3 supplement or cod liver oil.
Jul 19, 2022

Which is the richest food source of vitamin D? ›

Here are 7sevenhealthy foods that are high in vitamin D.
  1. Fatty fish. Salmon is a popular fatty fish and a great source of vitamin D. ...
  2. Herring and sardines. Herring is a fish eaten around the world. ...
  3. Cod liver oil. Cod liver oil is a popular supplement. ...
  4. Canned tuna. ...
  5. Egg yolks. ...
  6. Mushrooms. ...
  7. Vitamin D-fortified foods.

What drinks are high in vitamin D? ›

These drinks are easily available and can be be prepared in minutes.
  • Orange Juice. Orange juice comes first in the list of drinks rich in Vitamin D along with an array of other nutrients. ...
  • Cow's milk. ...
  • Curd or buttermilk. ...
  • Soy milk. ...
  • Carrot juice.
Mar 26, 2022

What vegetable has the most vitamin D? ›

Mushrooms are really the only notable plant-based source of vitamin D. But keep in mind that most mushrooms you'll find in the store, like button mushrooms, aren't exposed to sunlight.

What blocks vitamin D absorption? ›

Cystic fibrosis, Crohn's disease and celiac disease: These conditions can prevent your intestines from adequately absorbing enough vitamin D through supplements, especially if the condition is untreated. Obesity: A body mass index greater than 30 is associated with lower vitamin D levels.

What are 3 symptoms of not enough vitamin D? ›

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency may include fatigue, frequent illness, anxiety, bone pain, and slower wound healing, among others. Treatments may include dietary changes or taking supplements.

What's the worst that can happen with low vitamin D? ›

Vitamin D deficiency can cause weak bones — a condition called osteoporosis in adults and rickets in children. Low blood levels of this vitamin have also been linked to an increased risk for: Cancer. Heart disease and stroke.

How long does it take to become vitamin D sufficient? ›

“Adding an over-the-counter vitamin D supplement can make improvements in just three to four months. Vitamin D with a strength of 1000-2000 international units daily is the recommended dose for most adults,” Dr. Ropte says. Most multivitamins contain vitamin D, so extra supplementation isn't always necessary.

What is the fastest way to absorb vitamin D? ›

Keep in mind that Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it's best absorbed in the bloodstream in the presence of dietary fat. So, if you're taking your Vitamin D supplement at breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you can pair it with a food containing healthy fat.

How can I get vitamin D in my system fast? ›

Official answer
  1. Increasing your intake of foods that are naturally rich in vitamin D or fortified with vitamin D.
  2. Taking a vitamin D supplement.
  3. Getting outside and exposing your skin to sunlight (although experts do not recommend this without sun protection).
Aug 22, 2022

What plant based foods are high in vitamin D? ›

Here are some of the best vegan sources of vitamin D.
  • Fortified soy milk. One cup of soy milk fortified with vitamin D contains about 2.9 mcg (116 IU) of vitamin D. ...
  • Mushrooms. ...
  • Fortified cereals. ...
  • Fortified orange juice. ...
  • Fortified almond milk. ...
  • Fortified rice milk. ...
  • Sunshine.
Jan 10, 2020

Do salads have vitamin D? ›

Four important vitamins – A, D, E, and K – provide unique health benefits and are easily found in common salad ingredients. From supporting cell growth and immune health to promoting bone strength and protecting against cellular damage, these vitamins play vital roles in our health.

What drink is high in vitamin D? ›

Orange juice comes first in the list of drinks rich in Vitamin D along with an array of other nutrients. Instead of buying orange juice from the market, it is recommended to make it at home. Orange juice is also rich in Vitamin C which strengthens immunity.

Which meat has the most vitamin D? ›

The published data show that the highest values of vitamin D are found in fish and especially in fish liver, but offal also provides considerable amounts of vitamin D. The content in muscle meat is generally much lower.

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