The Most Nutritious Whole Foods

Vitamin D

What is it: A vitamin present in just a few foods (but added to some others) that's also produced when UV rays hit the skin.

Why you need it: Essential to calcium absorption - without it, bones don't grow correctly and become thing, brittle, and easily broken. Also helps with the immune system and can reduce inflammation.


BEST SOURCES
Halibut (3 ounces, 160 calories)
130 percent daily value
Mackerel (3.5 ounces, 180 calories)
90 percent daily value
Salmon (3.5 ounces, 185 calories)
90 percent daily value
Canned sardines (1.75 ounces, 100 calories)
70 percent daily value
Oysters (6, 112 calories)
67 percent daily value
Shrimp (4 ounces, 112 calories)
40 percent daily value
Vitamin D-fortified milk, reduced fat (1 cup, 125 calories)
25 percent daily value
Cod (4 ounces, 120 calories)
16 percent daily value
Vitamin D-fortified cereal (1 cup, 105 calories)
10-30 percent daily value
Egg (70 calories) 
6 percent daily value