The vitamin Alphabet
This "sunshine vitamin" helps your body absorb calcium for strong bones.
What is Vitamin D
This mineral is the primary component of bones and teeth
What is Calcium?
RDA stands for this, the average daily level of intake sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all healthy individuals.
What is Recommended Dietary Allowance?
This "colorful" rule of thumb helps ensure you get a wide variety of different phytonutrients and vitamins.
What is "Eating the Rainbow"?
Found in citrus fruits, this vitamin is crucial for collagen synthesis and immune function
What is Vitamin C?
Needed for oxygen transport in the blood; a lack of it leads to fatigue and anemia.
What is Iron?
On a food label, the %DV (Percent Daily Value) is based on a diet of this many calories per day.
What is 2,000 calories?
These dark, leafy veggies are "nutrient dense," meaning they have a high ratio of micronutrients to calories.
What are spinach or kale?
This B-vitamin (B9) is vital for DNA synthesis and is particularly important during pregnancy.
What is Folate (or Folic Acid)?
This "electrolyte" mineral helps regulate blood pressure and is found in high amounts in bananas and potatoes.
What is Potassium?
This term refers to the highest level of daily nutrient intake that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects.
What is the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)?
Pairing iron-rich foods with this vitamin can significantly increase absorption.
What is Vitamin C?
These vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are stored in the body's fatty tissue, meaning you don't need them every single day.
What are fat-soluble vitamins?
This mineral is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions, including muscle and nerve function.
What is Magnesium?
If a food label says "Excellent Source Of," it must contain at least this percentage of the RDA.
What is 20%?
This process adds nutrients back into foods (like white flour) that were lost during processing.
What is enrichment?
A deficiency in this B-vitamin, common in vegan diets without supplementation, can lead to nerve damage and anemia.
What is Vitamin B12?
Needed in tiny amounts, this "trace mineral" is essential for thyroid hormone production.
What is Iodine?
Bioavailability refers to this—the reason why 100mg of a mineral in a pill might not mean 100mg in your blood.
What is the degree to which a nutrient is absorbed and used by the body?
This specific type of fat, found in nuts and oils, helps the body absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K.
What are unsaturated fats?