How can I tell how much vitamin D is in the food I buy?

Few foods other than halibut, salmon, cod, and herring are naturally good sources of vitamin D.

Although federal law requires that milk contain 400 IU of vitamin D per quart to help prevent rickets, this regulation does not apply to other dairy products like yogurt, ice cream and cheese, or to milk substitutes like soy and rice 'milk' beverages.

To check for vitamin D in foods, inspect food labels for the %DV of vitamin D,* which will only appear if this nutrient is present. In addition to milk and some soymilk beverages, several ready-to-eat cereals are fortified with vitamin D.

*The %DV for vitamin D is based on 400 IU. So, keep in mind that children need only half that amount.

*. For a list of the numeric basis for other nutrients found on food labels, and how this relates to your child's nutritional needs, see: http://www.bcm.tmc.edu/cnrc/percentDV.html

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