To maintain a healthy body, we need to consume enough vitamins and minerals. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that people obtain nutrients through the food they eat, rather than supplements. When we consume nutrients through food, we also get other “good stuff” like phytonutrients and fiber. In addition to supporting normal body functions, a healthy diet can support healthy immune function.
The form of Vitamin A found in plants, called beta carotene, is a plant phytonutrient and is well known for supporting healthy vision. But beta carotene, which is converted to Vitamin A inside our bodies, also has important roles to play in immune health as well.
Vitamin A supports the cells lining our digestive tracts and lungs that act as the first line of defense against germs we encounter. Plus, adequate Vitamin A supports normal immune function in the body as we fight back against germs that manage to enter.
Luckily, it’s easy to get enough Vitamin A to support healthy vision and normal immune function by eating colorful fruits and veggies, especially orange veggies like carrots and sweet potatoes, as well as dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale.
Looking to add additional Vitamin A to your diet? Check out these Vitamin A rich recipes, each of which provide greater than 50% of your daily value for vitamin A per serving!*
Six Vitamin A Rich Recipes
Maple Sweet Potato & Kale with Chick’n Croutons
Doing Meatless Monday? No problem, this easy recipe uses tasty Gardein® Seven Grain Crispy Tenders for protein with kale and sweet potatoes providing Vitamin A.
Greek Style Pizza
This twist on pizza features paper-thin, delicious phyllo dough topped with Vitamin A-rich Birds Eye® Chopped Spinach and tomatoes, artichokes, and feta.
Beef and Noodle Stir Fry
Carrots sliced matchstick thin provide Vitamin A in this flavorful Asian-inspired recipe made with La Choy® Sliced Water Chestnuts and Birds Eye® Pepper Stir Fry.
Greek Spinach Pie
Birds Eye® Chopped Spinach is the dark leafy green and source of Vitamin A in this tasty, Greek-inspired dish.
White Bean and Kale Minestrone Soup
Birds Eye® Steamfresh® Premium Chopped Kale and chopped carrots provide Vitamin A to this simple yet hearty soup.
BBQ Chicken Salad
The bed of romaine lettuce for this salad provides much of the Vitamin A in the recipe but the addition of pre-made Banquet® Original Chicken Breast Tenders is what makes this recipe a cinch.
*Vitamin A content of these recipes are estimates based on USDA nutrient content data. Vitamin A content can vary by product, storage, and preparation method.
