11 Vitamin D-Rich Foods (No Supplements Needed)

Daylight Saving Time is closer than you think and that's a sign that winter will be here soon. With cold and flu season in full effect, plus seasonal affective disorder rearing its ugly head, our immune systems are more vulnerable than they are during the warmer months. One nutrient that is particularly effective in combating immune system attacks is vitamin D.

As days become darker and longer, it becomes more difficult to source vitamin D through sunlight absorption. This just means we have to work a little harder to get what we need from sources other than the sun. Vitamin D has several benefits, from supporting muscles and neurological functions to helping with calcium absorption in the bones, and of course boosting the immune system. If you're not getting enough vitamin D, the 11 food sources listed below are all viable options to add to your diet, regardless of the season.

Best foods high in vitamin D

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Salmon

The amount of vitamin D can vary depending on the fish you use. For example, one study found farmed salmon had 25% of the vitamin D content as found in wild-caught salmon. As such, if you're getting vitamin D from fish sources, try to opt for wild-caught fish instead of farmed-raised fish. The USDA says sockeye salmon has an average of 670 IU of vitamin D per 3.5-ounce serving.

Swordfish

Another fatty fish that is an excellent source of vitamin D is swordfish. The USDA lists a 100-gram serving as having 666 IU of vitamin D. That's more than the 600 IU daily recommendation for people ages 1 to 70 years old, so cooking up some swordfish for dinner may help you easily meet your vitamin D needs.

Tuna

This lunchtime staple can also provide a significant source of vitamin D. While not as high as salmon or swordfish, fresh yellowfin tuna still contains 82 IU of vitamin D per 100-gram serving, according to the USDA. It can be a food to include as part of an overall diet rich in vitamin D. However, bluefin tuna has 227 IU of vitamin D per 100-gram serving, so check which type of tuna you're eating as well.

Egg yolks

As listed by the USDA, one whole egg yolk packs a whopping 218 IU in vitamin D. Simply making a frittata or some scrambled eggs in the morning with two eggs could give you a 436-IU boost of vitamin D. That's a good way to start off any morning.

Orange juice

While oranges are more well-known for their vitamin C, orange juice is often fortified with added vitamin D to help boost our health. Check the label on your orange juice to see if it has been fortified with vitamin D. One study found that vitamin D2 and D3 are equally bioavailable in orange juice as taking vitamin D capsules, meaning the body can still absorb the vitamins well.

Fortified milk

Milk is another drink that is often fortified with vitamin D to help us get this valuable nutrient. Like orange juice, milk is not a natural source of vitamin D, but the FDA allows manufacturers to voluntarily add up to 84 IU of vitamin D3 per 100 grams of milk and 84 IU per 100 grams of D2 to plant-based milk alternatives.

Fortified cereal

Another good way to access vitamin D is to choose cereals that have been fortified with it. There is a wide variety of cereals that all add vitamin D. You simply need to check the label of what you're buying. The Mayo Clinic lists fortified cereal as a good source of vitamin D. You might look for more healthy brands of cereal, such as whole grain options, which are more likely to be fortified with higher levels of vitamin D and be better for you overall. Try to avoid highly sugary cereals with fewer nutrients.

Beef liver

Liver is a love-it-or-hate-it food, but if you like beef liver, it's another good way to get vitamin D. You can either cook it up, popular with onions, or liver sausage can be a good source of vitamin D. According to the USDA, pan-fried cooked beef liver has 40 IU of vitamin D in a single slice.

Sardines

This is another food people either really love or really hate. However, if you're a sardine fan, sardines also contain a higher amount of vitamin D. The USDA says 100 grams of canned sardines have 193 IU of vitamin D. Enjoy sardines on some crackers or add them to your favorite pizza.

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Herring 

Herring is another type of fatty fish that is popular to eat out of a jar and on crackers, or you can cook it for dinner. Herring boasts 214 IU of vitamin D for a 100-gram serving, according to the USDA. In fact, herring is a popular food to eat around the holidays in the Midwest. During the cold and darker months, it's a convenient and popular holiday food, and it boasts fairly high vitamin D levels.

Wild Mushrooms

If you're looking for vitamin D that doesn't come from an animal source, mushrooms are perfect. Just like us, mushrooms create vitamin D when exposed to UV light from the sun. Fungi are packed with vitamin D2 (animal sources contain vitamin D3), and one cup of wild mushrooms can equal about 136 IU of vitamin D.