Fortified Milk Offers a Double Whammy: Vitamin D and Calcium In addition to being an excellent source of calcium, 8 fluid ounces (fl oz) of fortified whole milk has 95.6 IU of vitamin D, per the USDA. According to the NIH, that added vitamin D improves calcium absorption.
But milk alternatives, such as soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and rice milk, may be a good option for getting vitamin D, especially now. Many milk alternatives are fortified with vitamin D, so they contain almost as much D as cow's milk.
This makes enriched almond milk a useful source of vitamin D that can prevent deficiency if you consume it regularly. Bottom line: Almond milk is often enriched with vitamin D, and consuming it often may help prevent vitamin D deficiency.
Skim or fat-free milk
As a result, it has fewer calories and a higher percentage of calcium by weight. An 8-ounce cup of skim milk contains 325 mg of calcium, which is nearly a third of the daily adult calcium requirement. Skim milk also has higher amounts of vitamins than whole milk because of fortification.
For osteoporosis prevention, patients with LI should consume fermented dairy products, lactose-free milk and non-dairy products that are a good source of calcium [72].
When you say "yogurt" and "bones," the mineral calcium should pop into your head. However, there are more nutrients found in yogurt that are needed for bone health. That's why cow's milk Greek yogurt tops the list as the best yogurt for strong bones.
One glass of fortified cow's milk gives us around 15–20% of our recommended daily vitamin D allowance. Foods like milk and cereal don't contain vitamin D naturally, so the nutrient is added by manufacturers to help people stay healthy.
Children and adults up to age 70 need 600 IU of vitamin D each day (1). To help meet these needs, drink 2 cups (500 mL) of milk each day, or eat 75 grams of salmon, tuna or sardines every day. Use a vitamin D supplement when you can't get enough from your diet.
You can get vitamin D from fortified yogurt.
Greek-style yogurt that's been fortified boasts 60 IU per five ounces.
Yogurt is a good source of probiotics, calcium, and proteins, but its content of vitamin D is low. Therefore, yogurt could be a good choice for vitamin D fortification to improve the positive health outcomes associated with its consumption.
Fortified milk typically has around 3mg (120 IU) of vitamin D, and non-dairy alternatives have between 2.5 and 3.6mg per 1 cup. Yogurt has between 2 and 3mg of vitamin D per serving. Like cereals, some brands of fortified milk and non-dairy milk may contain added sugar.
Therefore, conditions that affect the gut and digestion, like celiac disease, chronic pancreatitis, Crohn's disease, and cystic fibrosis, can reduce vitamin D absorption.
Orange. There are limited Vitamin D fruits. Around 75% of people worldwide are either allergic to dairy products or lactose intolerant; some are vegan. So, orange or orange juice is the best option with vitamin D and other nutrients such as calcium.
Research has found that an average serving of 2 eggs contains 8.2mcg of vitamin D, a substantial portion of the recommended dietary intake of vitamin D [2], making them a great addition to the diet to support the intake of adequate levels of this vital vitamin.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Vitamin D is currently set at 600–800 IU/day (15–20 mcg) for adults. Fortified milk typically provides 100 IU per 8 oz serving (236 mL). So while milk can provide a good amount of vitamin D it may not be sufficient to ensure adequate daily intakes.
However, ricotta cheese stands out as the highest natural cheese source of vitamin D, with 25 IUs of the nutrient (or, five times as much as most other cheeses).
Almond milk is another popular choice. This milk is made from ground almonds and filtered water. One cup of Silk Unsweetened Almondmilk contains just 30 calories, 0 grams of saturated fat, and 1 gram of protein. It is fortified with calcium, vitamin E, vitamin A, and vitamin D.
Reduced-fat (2%), low-fat (1%), and nonfat milk have vitamin A and vitamin D added, since these vitamins are lost when the fat is removed. Natural levels of vitamin D are low, so most milk producers add vitamin D to whole milk. Check the nutrition facts label to learn more about vitamins and minerals in milk.
People who do not consume dairy products are also at risk for vitamin D deficiency. Inadequate or ineffective sun exposure — The effectiveness of sun exposure in promoting vitamin D production in the skin varies by latitude and time of day.
Calcium Content
Regardless of the fat content of milk or yogurt, their calcium value remains roughly the same -- 1 cup of milk provides about 300 milligrams of calcium, as does a 6-ounce serving of yogurt.
Like milk, yoghurt is a rich source of calcium and protein. And it provides other nutrients such as iodine, vitamins D, B2 and B12, and zinc. But yoghurt is actually more nutritious than milk.
Plain Yogurt
Regular yogurt delivers almost twice the bone-strengthening mineral calcium. One serving of plain yogurt (3/4 cup) contains 263-275mg of calcium and Greek yogurt contains 180-212mg.