5 Foods That Will Put More Vitamin A In Your Diet

A health amount of Vitamin A in your diet is crucial for maintaining proper vision. In fact, a common sign of a vitamin A deficiency is night blindness. This important vitamin is also important for fighting off viral infections within your body. While deficiencies in vitamin A are not very common, here are a few natural foods you can eat to ensure that you’ll have enough vitamin A in your diet and won’t have to worry about stumbling around in the dark.

1. Sweet Potatoes

Just one cup of this amazing and nutrient-rich vegetable contains just under 440% of the daily recommended intake amount of vitamin A. Sweet potatoes, also known as yams, are not only filled with this vitamin and many others, but are delicious and versatile when it comes to preparation.

Try making a sweeter dish that everyone, even kids, will love, or stick to something more classic like a baked sweet potato.  When cooking with sweet potatoes, remember that the skin is filled with nutrients. Instead of removing the skin, just make sure you scrub it well to remove any dirt and enjoy the added flavor and health benefits.

With as much vitamin A as a sweet potato has to offer, they certainly shouldn’t be considered a food found only at the thanksgiving table.

2. Wheatgrass

A serving of wheatgrass packs a powerful dose of Vitamin A. A serving of powdered wheatgrass can contain 80% of the daily recommended value in just one serving.

Wheatgrass is a superfood that can be prepared fresh or more conveniently consumed in the form of wheatgrass powder for those times when fresh-pressed wheatgrass just isn’t available. Drinking a cup of this every morning will ensure you’re getting enough vitamin A in your diet every day.

3. Carrots

Carrots are the classic vitamin A-supplying food and provide a phenomenal 408% of the daily recommended intake amount in just a cup of the vibrant orange vegetable.

Carrots can be prepared in delicate and gourmet dishes, adding color and flavor, or can be snacked on right out of the bag for a quick, healthy, and convenient health boost. Remember to always scrub carrots well, as they often retain a bit of root or dirt after being harvested.

4. Spinach

Just one cup of cooked spinach contains about 377% of the amount of vitamin A you need in a day. If you’d rather eat raw spinach, that same amount can be found in about three cups of uncooked spinach.

This common, cheap and incredibly healthy vegetable can be prepared in a number of ways, or just used as a base for a salad. Spinach is rich in so many important vitamins and minerals that it should be a standard staple in every refrigerator.

5. Dark leafy greens

Greens such as kale, collards, turnip and mustard greens, and all different forms of chards are known for being incredibly high in vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and nutrients, inducing vitamin A. Just one cup of these cooked greens contains over 150% of the daily recommended intake amount of vitamin A. Each of them have a unique flavor, from the bitter and more dense collards to the slightly peppery mustard greens.

If you aren’t familiar with these powerhouse health foods yet, check out some recipes that might interest you and experiment with a new dish.