
Sunlight spurs the body to make vitamin D. But because of the  skin-cancer risk, there isn't an official recommendation to catch some  rays. However, a small amount of sun exposure without sunscreen can do  the trick. 
"If you're going to get it from the sun, about 20 to  25 minutes of exposure is helpful," says Stephen Honig, MD, director of  the Osteoporosis Center at the Hospital for Joint Diseases, in New York  City. 
The sun is less likely to provide your daily needs at  higher latitudes, in the winter, or if you're older or dark skinned  (skin pigment blocks light and the process is less efficient with age).  And FYI: Light through a window won't work.
 

Fatty fish can be a good source of vitamin D. Common options include salmon, trout, mackerel, tuna, and eel. 
A  3-ounce sockeye salmon fillet contains about 450 international units  (IUs) of vitamin D—a good portion of the 600 IUs that is the Institute  of Medicine's recommended dietary allowance (800 IUs if you're over 70).  
And you get a bonus—heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids!
 

Fresh fish aren't the only way to boost your vitamin D intake; you can get vitamin D from a can, too. 
Canned tuna fish and canned sardines both contain vitamin D, and are usually less expensive than fresh fish. 
Plus,  a longer shelf life makes the canned products easy to stock up on and  use at your leisure. Canned light tuna has the most vitamin D—about 150  IUs per 4 ounces—while canned albacore tuna has about 50 IUs per 4  ounces, and canned sardines have a little more than 40 IUs per two  sardines.
 

Just like humans, mushrooms have the capacity to produce vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet light. 
Mushrooms, however, are usually grown in the dark and don't contain the  vitamin. Specific brands, however, are grown in ultraviolet light to  spur vitamin D production. 
Check to see if vitamin D–rich  'shrooms, like Dole's Portobello Mushrooms, are available at a store  near you. They're perfect for vegetarians looking for plant-based foods  that contain the vitamin. Dole's portobellos will give you 400 IUs of  vitamin D per 3-ounce serving (about 1 cup of diced mushrooms).
 

Almost all types of cow's milk in the U.S. are fortified with vitamin D, but ice cream and cheese are not. 
In general, an 8-ounce glass of milk contains at least 100 IUs of  vitamin D, and a 6-ounce serving of yogurt contains 80 IUs, but the  amount can be higher (or lower) depending on how much is added. 
Some soy and rice milks are fortified with about the same amount, but check the label since not all contain vitamin D.
 

Not a dairy fan? No problem. You can get vitamin D from fortified orange juice. 
One 8-ounce glass of fortified juice usually has around 100 IUs of  vitamin D, but the amount varies from brand to brand. Not all brands are  fortified, so check the label. 
Two fortified brands, Florida Natural Orange Juice and Minute Maid Kids+ Orange Juice, contain 100 IUs per 8-ounce serving.
 

Vitamin D supplements can help you get your proper daily dose, and as  Dr. Honig points out, you don't run into the issue of skin cancer as  you might with UV rays. "And it's not like calcium," he says. "You don't  have to split up your vitamin D dose; you can take it all at one time."  
Too much vitamin D can be toxic, however. The IOM sets the  upper limit at 4,000 IUs for people aged 9 and older. That includes all  sources—food, sun, and supplements. 
Talk to your doctor before choosing a dosage.
 

Eggs are a convenient way to get vitamin D. They're popular in many breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert recipes. 
Since  the vitamin D in an egg comes from its yolk, it's important to use the  whole egg—not just the whites. One yolk will give you about 40 IUs, but  don't try to get your daily vitamin D just from eggs. 
One egg  contains about 200 milligrams of cholesterol, and the American Heart  Association recommends consuming no more than 300 milligrams a day for  heart health.
 

If you're a vitamin D seeker looking for a crunch, look no further  than fortified cereals. Choose a low-calorie fortified cereal like Multi  Grain Cheerios to get part of your daily fill of vitamin D. You can  pair it with fortified milk and a glass of fortified OJ too. 
A  1-cup (29 gram) serving of Multi Grain Cheerios with one-half cup of  fortified milk is 90 IUs; add in an 8-ounce glass of fortified orange  juice, and your total is close to 200 IUs. 
 

Although it might not be the most appealing source, a 3.5-ounce  serving of cooked beef liver contains about 50 IUs of vitamin D—and  several other nutrients. You'll also be getting vitamin A, iron, and  protein. 
However, beef liver is also high in cholesterol, so you might want to choose an oily fish instead. 
 

While its name might suggest a less-than-savory flavor, cod liver oil  is often flavored with mint or citrus, or comes in capsule form. 
One tablespoon contains about 1,300 IUs of vitamin D, which is more  than twice the recommended dietary allowance of 600 IUs per day. 
That  amount doesn't exceed the maximum upper-level intake of 4,000 IUs for  people over 8 years old, but it exceeds the daily maximum for infants  (1,000 IUs).
 

People at high risk of vitamin D deficiency may resort to UV-emitting  lamps and bulbs. This includes people unable to absorb the vitamin  (malabsorption) or those who can't get enough in winter months, says  Michael F. Holick, MD, a professor of medicine, sociology, and  biophysics at Boston University Medical Center. 
These are similar to tanning beds, but smaller. "The lamp is only about 24 inches by about 16 inches," says Dr. Holick. 
These  lamps carry the same skin-cancer risks and need for protective eyewear,  so they're best for those with a doctor's recommendation.
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