When you think of getting vitamin D, what’s the first thing that pops into your head? I wouldn’t be surprised if a big, tall glass of milk came to mind. Not only is dairy milk a popular source of vitamin D, but many people mistakenly think it’s the only source. According to the Institute of Medicine, the best sources of vitamin D are foods and sunlight.
So, if you’re not a fan of milk or are lactose intolerant don’t worry. You can still get your daily supply of vitamin D – which is essential for bone health and protecting against colds and even fighting depression – and do your body “good”.
1. Mushrooms
Depending on the type of mushroom, you can consume a significant amount of vitamin D. Go for the shitake mushrooms, which have 45 iu which is a great chunk of your recommended daily serving of vitamin D. The also popular white mushroom only has 5 iu. Mushrooms can be exposed to sun or ultraviolet light to increase their vitamin D.
2. Salmon
Salmon, especially wild salmon, has the most vitamin D of any food. Just a half fillet of sockeye salmon has more than 1,400 iu of vitamin D – more than 2x the daily recommended amount for adults.