Nutrition

Vitamin D is Good for Me!

Vitamin D is called the sunshine vitamin because our bodies can make it when we go in the sun! We don’t want to get too much sun (about 30 minutes per day is okay for most people), because that can be bad for our skin. The darker our skin, the more time we need in the sun to make vitamin D. It is very important to get some outside playtime whenever the weather is nice.

What does Vitamin D do for me?

• Vitamin D helps control the amount of two important minerals, calcium and phosphorous, in the blood

• Helps to build strong bones and teeth

Where else can I find Vitamin D?

Certain Fish – such as salmon, halibut, light tuna, and sardines – are good sources of vitamin D and can be eaten once or twice a week. But we need vitamin D everyday!

Skim or low-fat milk is fortified with vitamin D. So are many brands of yogurt, orange juice, soymilk, and breakfast cereal. Look for Vitamin D on the label and have some of these foods everyday.

Supplements – if our vitamin D is low, the doctor may want us to take a supplement with vitamin D. Talk to your doctor about your vitamin D.