Because too much of a vitamin supplement may result in an overdose, it's recommended that you eat foods high in vitamin A if you want to ingest more of this fat-soluble vitamin
Foods High in Vitamin A
Many foods are good sources of vitamin A. Eating the following foods can provide the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for this essential vitamin.
Animal Food Sources
According to Diet and Fitness Today, the best sources of vitamin A are fish and animal products. These include:
- Cod fish
- Fish oils
- Turkey
- Duck
- Beef
- Lamb
- Pork
Many people may remember their grandparents or parents urging them to eat liver. Turkey, beef, goose and duck liver all contain good amounts of vitamin A. If you enjoy organ meats, they are packed full of this important vitamin. Other animal sources of vitamin A include eggs.
Plant Food Sources
Most people imagine a plate of steamed carrots or perhaps sweet potatoes when they think of vitamin A. These orange-tinted vegetables and their relatives such as acorn and butternut squash are all excellent sources of beta-carotene, which transforms into vitamin A in the body.
Other vegan and vegetarian sources of vitamin A include:
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Kale
- Peas
- Red peppers
- Apricots
- Peaches
- Cantaloupe
- Lemons
- Apples
- Tomatoes
One way to get a healthy dose of vitamin A daily is to drink a green drink or green smoothie. These delicious blends of greens and fruit are packed with vitamins and fiber and are naturally low calorie and filling.
Why Eat Foods Rich in Vitamin A?
Vitamin A is necessary for life, and important to maintain our vision, skin, and many other organs and functions. Vitamin A supplements may be purchased at health food stores. Yet too much vitamin A can result in serious side effects, and in the case of pregnant women taking too much vitamin A can lead to severe birth defects in unborn children. Most doctors and nutritionists agree that eating food sources of vitamin A, particularly plant-based food sources, is safe and healthy.
So visit the produce section of your favorite grocery store and stock up on crunchy carrots, yummy sweet potatoes, sweet peaches and cantaloupe. Visit online recipe sites and print a variety of fast, easy recipes so you always have a selection to cook up those vegetables, or enjoy them raw, fresh and unprocessed.
