The Sunshine Vitamin

Vitamin D aka 'the sunshine vitamin' can be hard to find in foods but luckily we can make it ourselves with a bit of sun. The key here is spending a short amount of time in the sun without SPF to synthesize your vitamin D and then add the SPF to protect that skin. It is worth noting, the more melanin you have in your skin the longer it will take to absorb the sun to make vitamin D.

Why should we be thinking about vitamin D intake anyways?

Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium in your bones, helps your immune system function properly, and can positively impact your mood and mental health. All of these things are essential for your overall health and wellbeing so it is important to ensure you're getting plenty of vitamin D!

If the sun is away be sure to eat plenty of vitamin D-rich foods and for many people, I'd suggest a vitamin D3 supplement with a source of fat for best absorption but check with your doctor or dietician first.

Vitamin D Rich Foods

Fatty fish

Egg yolks

Organ meats

UV treated mushrooms

Fortified foods- milk, orange juice, and cereals are often fortified with vitamin D