What Vegetarian Foods Are High in Vitamin D

The best source of vitamin D is sunlight. If your body is deficient in vitamin D and you are less exposed to sunlight, in this article I will introduce plant-based sources rich in vitamin D.

According to recent scientific studies, vitamin D deficiency affects around one billion individuals throughout the globe and approximately 42 percent of adults in the United States.

This essential vitamin is required for all areas of human health, from good bone formation to controlling the operation of the immune system, ensuring adequate glucose metabolism, and lowering inflammation.

This is a significant issue, as it is arguable that this is a significant problem.

Because practically all of the tissues in our bodies include receptors for this crucial vitamin, having insufficient amounts of vitamin D over an extended period can have far-reaching detrimental impacts on a person’s health.

But the fact remains that reaching the recommended amount of vitamin D can be a challenging endeavor.

Even though our skin has the potential to produce vitamin D when it is exposed to sunshine, doing so has become more difficult for humans unless they reside in a sunny place (near the equator) and spend a significant amount of time outside.

This is especially true for those who work most of the day indoors.

Now, the issue that is often asked is, “What should vegans do in the area of vitamin D shortage?” (Vitamin D inadequacy).

Is it feasible for someone who does not consume animal products to acquire the recommended amount of vitamin D in their diet, and “what vegan foods are high in vitamin D”?

There is no need to be concerned, and we owe it to our fellow vegans to break the good news that there is, in fact, a solution.

Because many vegans are concerned about this issue and are looking for a solution to it, we have compiled a list of the most effective methods for increasing one’s vitamin D levels while adhering to a vegan diet, as well as information on how to determine whether or not one is suffering from a lack of vitamin D in the first place.

Are you prepared to go upon the “what vegan foods are high in vitamin D” incredible adventure with us? So, let’s get started.

To delve further into the “what vegan foods are high in vitamin D” issue and be able to have a positive outcome, in the end, let’s first have a look at why the importance of vitamin D in a person’s life is so significant:

Why is vitamin D important?

Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins needed by the body, its deficiency in people causes many diseases.

Vitamin D causes absorption of calcium through the intestines, and for this reason, the reduction of vitamin D in the body causes disturbances in calcium absorption and musculoskeletal complications.

In fact, vitamin D deficiency puts you at risk for osteoporosis, and in addition increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, various cancers, and autoimmune diseases such as MS.

The importance of vitamin D in the human body (+7 most important reason)

Due to the broad dispersion of receptors for vitamin D throughout the human body, this vitamin plays a significant role in controlling a substantial number of critical metabolic processes.

It is of the highest significance to accurately grasp your vitamin D levels and how they may impact your overall health. This is because your vitamin D levels can influence your entire health.

This can be determined by using a vitamin D test at home or your regular blood work, which your physician carries out.

1. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium in the stomach and control calcium and phosphate blood levels, which provides for normal bone formation and prevents fractures. This is important for both the maintenance of healthy bones and the prevention of fractures.
2. Vitamin D enhances immune function, and low levels have been linked to an increased risk and severity of respiratory infections.
3. Vitamin D helps control blood pressure and vascular cell proliferation, whereas a lack has been linked to arterial stiffness, high cholesterol, and other cardiovascular disorders.
4. Healthy vitamin D levels are linked to decreased incidence of type 2 diabetes, whereas low vitamin D can contribute to insulin resistance, inflammation, and other diabetes risk factors.
5. NIH says good vitamin D levels can lessen the incidence and spread of cancer, but more study is required.
6. A research article published in Neurology and Therapy found a correlation between multiple sclerosis and having low levels of vitamin D. (MS). According to the findings of a Cochrane Review on multiple sclerosis and vitamin D, the prevalence of the disorder is lower, closer to the equator, where there is more sunshine.
7. According to research published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, having low vitamin D levels is associated with an increased risk of depression and poor mood. In the winter, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) may be caused by a shortage of vitamin D due to less sunshine.

The symptoms and risks of vitamin D deficiency

Most people do not know that they have a vitamin D deficiency because the symptoms are usually mild. Even if these symptoms significantly affect your quality of life negatively, you may simply not notice vitamin D deficiency.

People who live near the equator and are constantly exposed to sunlight are less likely to be deficient in vitamin D because their skin produces enough vitamin D to meet the body’s needs.

Are you often sick?
One of the most important roles of vitamin D is to strengthen the immune system, so by consuming vitamin D, you can fight against viruses and pathogenic bacteria.
Studies have shown that low levels of vitamin D in the body can increase the risk of catching colds or flu.
Many studies have shown that taking a daily vitamin D supplement at a dose of 4000 IU can reduce the risk of respiratory infections.

Are you often tired and depressed?

Fatigue can have many reasons, and vitamin D deficiency is one of them.

Some studies have shown that vitamin D supplementation for people who are deficient in this vitamin helps to improve their depression, especially seasonal depression that occurs during the cold months of the year.

Bone fracture
Vitamin D helps maintain bone health in various ways and increases calcium absorption in the body. Bone and back pain can be symptoms of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D plays an important role in calcium absorption and bone metabolism.

hair fall

Hair fall in women is related to low vitamin D levels. Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that is associated with severe hair loss on the head and other parts of the body. This disease is related to rickets. Rickets is a disease that causes softening of bones in children due to vitamin D deficiency. Decreasing the level of vitamin D is related to alopecia and can be one of the risk factors of this disease.

Signs that your body is lacking vitamin D

It is possible that you will not have any symptoms at all if your vitamin D levels are low, or the symptoms may be very mild.

The Cleveland Clinic identifies the following as possible signs of vitamin D insufficiency in patients who have been seen there:

• Fatigue.
• Bone ache.
• Experiencing discomfort, weakness, pains, or cramping in your muscles.
• Alterations in mood, such as depression.
• The wound is healing rather slowly.
• Having numerous bouts of illness.

Keeping your vitamin D levels at a healthy range may be difficult. Still, if you follow the methods outlined above and have your levels checked regularly, either by having your doctor do routine blood work or by using testing kits that you can do at home, you should maintain a healthy range. Just right; neither too low nor too high.

We have learned that vitamin D has numerous critical advantages for the human body and that absorbing it properly is essential in many different ways.

Because of this, we have compiled a list of methods about “what vegan foods are high in vitamin D” for vegans to take vitamin D easily and without any concern:

The food sources that are rich in vitamin D for vegans (+ 5 most practical sources)

To the research done up to now by the professors, the daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin D for adults is between 600 and 800 international units (IU) per day. But for vegans, the max prescribed is about 800 IU.

The tolerable upper intake amount is 4,000 IU daily, but you should not consume more than that unless your physician advises you.

Even though it’s almost hard to acquire enough vitamin D from natural sources when you follow a vegan diet, the following vegan foods (including foods that have been fortified), vegan supplements, and lifestyle practices can help you meet your daily requirements.

1.   Sunshine

It is possible that it would be beneficial to your health to spend a significant amount of time in the sun without sunscreen.

It has been shown that even brief periods of exposure to the sun throughout the middle of the day may significantly impact the amount of vitamin D produced in the body.

According to the National Institutes of Health, some researchers think enough vitamin D synthesis may be achieved by exposing the face, arms, hands, and feet to the sun for five to thirty minutes at least twice weekly.

Keep in mind that persons of advanced age and those with darker skin tones have a reduced ability to produce vitamin D from sunshine, which is why it is essential to use the other sources included in this list.

2.     Mushroom

Mushrooms are one of the foods that provide a significant amount of vitamin D and are readily accessible.

Ergosterol is the name given to the component that exists within the structure of the mushroom and has the potential to be changed into vitamin D2 when it is subjected to UV light.

The use of UV-irradiated mushrooms in the food industry as a source of vitamin D2 has been authorized, which enables one to make the statement that this is the case.

Certain mushrooms that can flourish in low-light environments do not contain vitamin D very much.

If you use the approach described in the following paragraphs, however, you will be able to increase the amount of vitamin D that the mushroom contains.

Placing the gill side of the mushrooms on a baking sheet and covering it with a plastic cover before placing it in the open air and exposing it to the sun between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM is recommended for optimal results. Mushrooms should be exposed to the most excellent UV rays.

Mushrooms grown using this technique produce more vitamin D than any other approach.

It has been shown in several studies that, depending on the kind of mushroom and the amount of time it is exposed to, it may generate levels of vitamin D2 that range anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand international units. [Citation needed] (IUs).

3.     Plant-based milk that has been fortified.

Most plant-based milk brands (think: almond milk, soy milk, rice milk, and cashew milk) have vitamin D2 added, but this is not the case for all of them.

Milk typically contains around five micrograms, equal to roughly 200 international units, and thus amounts to up to 25% of the daily requirement.

Always read the label before purchasing an additive-free product since some products may not include extra vitamins.

4.    An orange juice that has been fortified.

There are certain varieties of orange juice that are not fortified, but the majority of brands provide at least one choice that is enriched with vitamin D and calcium.

Vitamin D3 is included in Tropicana Calcium + Vitamin D in the amount of 2.5 mcg, equivalent to 100 international units.

However, you shouldn’t rely on juice as your primary supply of vitamin D since it contains a considerable amount of sugar and none of the fiber that helps prevent your blood sugar from becoming unstable if you drink too much of it.

Consider adding orange juice to a protein-packed smoothie if you already consume orange juice.

5.    Tofu with added nutrients

Although not all types of tofu are fortified, some of them do include roughly 20 percent of the daily value for vitamin D, along with vitamin B12 and omega-3 fats.

These are the three nutrients that are often lacking in a vegan diet. Tofu is similar to a blank slate in that it will take on the tastes of anything you add to it, which makes it a versatile ingredient.

You may make a tasty tofu scramble in the morning by combining it with various spices and herbs, or you can marinate the tofu and then add it to a stir-fry in the evening.

6.      Vitamin D supplements.

The addition of vitamin D to a vegan’s daily consumption supplement regimen should be the primary focus of their attention since it is the essential thing they can do to improve their health.

Vitamin D2 (also known as ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 are the two primary forms of vitamin D supplementation that are commercially accessible (cholecalciferol).

While some studies have indicated that vitamin D3 is somewhat more successful than vitamin D2 at elevating vitamin D levels in the circulation, other studies have shown that both forms are about equivalent in their ability to accomplish this goal.

It is essential to be aware that many vitamin D3 supplements are manufactured using animal wastes; however, it is possible to find options derived from plants.

When looking for vitamin D3 from plants, which is often obtained from lichen, it is essential to check for this kind of vitamin D3.

Fungi exposed to UV radiation are often used to produce vitamin D2, which may be found in foods.

What exactly is the recommended daily allowance for vitamin D

Even while it’s not probable that you’ll obtain too much vitamin D via exposure to the sun or dietary sources, it is conceivable if you take extremely high amounts of a vitamin D supplement.

If your physician has advised you to take more than 4000 IU of vitamin D daily, you should never take more than that amount on your own.

This recommendation is shared by the vast majority of researchers and medical professionals.

In addition, it is not only useless, but it also has the potential to be detrimental to one’s health.

According to the National Institutes of Health, taking in an excessive amount of vitamin D may result in hypercalcemia, defined as having high amounts of calcium in the blood.

This, in turn, can produce symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, soreness, lack of appetite, dehydration, and increased thirst. Help overcome kidney stones, especially in very severe instances of renal failure. Therefore, be mindful of the amount you consume and keep an eye out for the signs and symptoms above.

When utilizing vitamin D daily, it is essential to remember that it is a fat-soluble vitamin.

This indicates that your body will absorb it more effectively if you consume it with a meal that includes fat.

The last word,
Although vitamin D is regarded as one of the critical vitamins for preserving the health of your bones, it is tough to receive enough vitamin D on a diet composed of vegan foods, as discussed in further depth in this article.

The good news is that it is feasible to meet your daily vitamin D requirements by receiving enough safe sun exposure, regular vitamin D supplements, and consuming foods rich in vitamin D.

Taking these measures and keeping a close eye on your vitamin D levels regularly is essential to guaranteeing bone health, cardiovascular health, good immunological function, mental wellness, and other health benefits.

So we hope you can get enough data about the sources of vitamin D if you are a vegan, and reading the “what vegan foods are high in vitamin D” article will benefit you.

If you have further questions and also have experiences with the “vegan foods are high in vitamin D” topic, share with us in the comment section.

sara

Hi, I’m Sara, a vegan mom of two. My family and I have been living a vegan lifestyle for over 8 years now. I’m excited to share tips and insights about veganism and plant-based living through my posts. I love exploring new ideas, reading, and finding ways to grow. My passion for learning drives me to share what I discover, hoping to inspire and inform others along the way. As a content writer and screenwriter, I’m passionate about creating impactful stories around veganism, animal rights, and social justice. I’ve written several short films that explore the connection between veganism and social justice, with my work featured in various publications. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop them in the comments section or shoot me an email through the contact form on the website—I usually respond within 24 hours.