Big Vitamin D Energy: Which Foods Have Vitamin D?

Everyone from health professionals to your next door neighbour have been saying we need more Vitamin D - so what’s all the fuss about?

Johnny Garmeson

Jul 5

2.5 mins

Jul 5

2.5 mins

In a year where we’ve heard more health rumours than ever before, it’s important to separate the facts from the quacks.

Covid 19 has made all of us a lot more conscious of our health and one big issue being discussed is the importance of Vitamin D. But there are plenty of questions still circling around:

Does vitamin D protect against Covid 19? Why do we need Vitamin D? What foods contain Vitamin D?

Well here at Rassa we’ve sorted through the information for you, and we might even have a few recipes that could help you out as well!

Why Do We Need Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is crucial for absorbing the nutrients our bodies use to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.

So in other words, all the hard parts of the body keeping us walking, talking and eating get weakened and damaged without it (yikes).

As one of the only Vitamins naturally produced by the body, it may seem odd that we need to be adding more of it into our diet.

But many of us aren’t getting as much Vitamin D as we normally would and it’s all Coronavirus’ fault... but not for the reason you might think.

Social distancing, working from home and dark winter months have all meant we haven't been spending as much time exposed to sunlight - and it’s while we’re basking in the rays that Vitamin D is produced by the body.

Socially isolating inside + Miserable lockdown winter = Rickets

Does Vitamin D Protect Against Covid 19?

Well, yes and no.

Vitamin D is proven to keep the immune system strong and bolster the bodies defences against illness generally.

There have also been numerous claims from the world of science suggesting Vitamin D helps ward away the most googled word of 2020, but the correlation is really more likely to be related to the healthy diet and overall well being of the individual, as opposed to a lack of just one Vitamin.

The main reason why medical professionals are really pushing the importance of Vitamin D is because we’re simply not leaving the house as often, and getting in the sunlight we need for healthy calcium and phosphate absorption.

Covid 19 is far more dangerous to those with pre existing conditions, so making sure you’re not vitamin D deficient by adding it into your diet is undoubtedly a good place to start!

What Foods Contain Vitamin D?

There are less foods that contain Vitamin D than you might think, which is why it can be tricky to work it into your diet.

You can always buy Vitamin D supplements, or spend more time outdoors - but here at Rassa we have a few ideas that might be a little more enticing than braving the cold weather or choking down cod liver oil:

- Oily fish and shrimp:

Why not try Kevin Dundon's delicious Seafood chowder or Revathi Pandian's Masala Prawns

- Red meat:

Another great source of Vitamin D is beef, like Michal Kovac's Goulash or Tommy Lang's Pho Dac Biet

- Egg yolks:

Nafeessa Eradhum's Bol Renverse or Elena Yamamoto Hiyashi Chuka make the humble egg star of the show

- Fortified foods (i.e. milk, cheese, cereals):

Both delicious and Vitamin rich, Darra Goldstein's Farmer's cheese pancakes aren't to be missed

Vitamin D is an integral part of any diet, particularly if you live in a country with darker winters - so while we’re all hunkering down, and waiting for warmer days (and a vaccine or two) make sure to try out some of these recipes!