Avoid Vitamin D Deficiency In Winter, Add These Foods To Your Diet

All the brouhaha around vitamin D is for real. We are at a greater risk of developing vitamin D Deficiency right now. Our body has the ability to make the 'sunshine vitamin' itself when our skin comes in direct contact with sunlight. Pandemic and winter, both the situations are forcing us to stay inside homes, reducing our exposure to natural sunlight. Vitamin D is essential for the proper functioning of the body. The nutrient helps absorb calcium to boost the health of bones and teeth. Vitamin D is also known to improve the immune and nervous system, and overall health.

To make matters worse, some studies have also warned of vitamin D deficiency being a problem in the times of Coronavirus. Consuming vitamin D-rich foods can help replenish nutrient loss. Thankfully, the bounty of winter produce gives us many food options to avail our daily vitamin D fix.

Vitamin D-rich foods you can add to your winter diet:
 

Orange

The fruits market is brimming with bright and vibrant oranges in this season. Eat raw orange every day or juice it, grill it or puree it to make desserts, snacks, drink etc. You can find innumerable ways to consume this vitamin D-rich winter fruit.

(Also Read: How Much Vitamin D Is Too Much Vitamin D?)

Orange is a very good source of vitamin D. 

Warm Milk

Milk is an excellent source of vitamin D. Heat your milk at night and cosy up in the blanket before bedtime with a warming milk drink. Make turmeric milk, cocoa milk, almond milk, soy milk or any other hot milk drink you like.
 

Mushroom

Mushroom soup is the best thing you can make with this vegetable packed with vitamin D. Other alternatives are pasta in mushroom sauce, Indian-style matar mushroom sabzi and sauteed mushroom snacks.
 

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is also an excellent source of vitamin D. Cook oats with milk and toss in other healthy ingredients like fruits, nuts and seeds. Sweeten it with honey. You will love a large bowl of hot oatmeal to give a warm start to chilli mornings.
 

Salmon

Fatty fish are rich in vitamin D. Saute or grill your salmon fish in butter, and season with salt and pepper. Just pair it with veggies and mashed potato for a tasty meal. Of course, there are many other salmon-based meals you can enjoy in this cold weather.

(Also Read: Vitamin D Deficiency Found In 80% COVID-19 Patients)

Salmon is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D.
Photo Credit: iStock

Don't ignore the warnings by health experts on the risks of vitamin D deficiency. Prevent and fight it with your winter diet enriched with vitamin D.

(This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.)