Where to Find Plant-Based Vitamin D

Vitamin D3 is a plant-based version of this important vitamin, which helps to absorb calcium and phosphate (for healthy bones and teeth) and grow strong muscles.

It’s a fat-soluble vitamin, so good to consume alongside foods with fat (like nuts or seeds). Or with omega-3 fatty acid supplements.

Vitamin D is in chestnut mushrooms and in some fortified foods. But usually it’s easiest to get from a little natural sunshine and a supplement (also included in multi-vitamins).

Although vitamin D2 supplements are vegan, vitamin D3 (the kind your body absorbs from the sun) is better. But most brands contain lanolin (sheep fat). So look for vegan-friendly D3 (usually from lichen).

Light-skinned people usually get enough vitamin D in summer by exposing skin to sunlight for half an hour. But people with darker skin (or who cover their faces or don’t go out a lot) may benefit from supplements.

Read more on how to stay safe in the sun naturally.

An Edible Sea Moss Supplement

Irish Sea Moss is an edible seaweed that’s packed with nutrients and amino acids. Avoid seaweed for thyroid disorders or shellfish allergies (even though it’s not fish). 

Seaweed is a habitat for marine life and helps to regulate water quality and plays a key role in carbon sequestration, pulling carbon from the atmosphere. Think of seaweed as the lungs of the ocean, vital for a balanced and healthy marine environment.

Never harvest seaweed yourself (rocks are slippery and you need expert training to ‘give seaweed a haircut’ without removing roots). As someone once said ‘it’s seaweed to you, but the universe to a shrimp!’

Dogs are tempted to play with seaweed fronds. Don’t let them eat it (can expand in the stomach as it dries, and contains salt).