10/12/2026
☀️ Upstate New York, our sunshine vitamin is about to go on vacation.
From roughly mid-October through mid-March, the sun here in Upstate NY sits too low in the sky for our skin to make meaningful vitamin D, even on those rare bright, clear days. Add in shorter days, bundled-up layers, and more time indoors, and it’s no surprise that many of us run low by late winter.
Why it matters: vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium for strong bones, and it plays a role in muscle function, immune health, and mood.
🐟 Food sources to lean on this season:
Salmon, trout, sardines, and canned tuna
Egg yolks
Fortified milk and fortified plant milks
Fortified orange juice, yogurt, and cereals
Mushrooms exposed to UV light (check the label!)
💊 What about supplements?
Food alone can make it tough to hit your needs, so a supplement may be helpful for many people. But vitamin D dosing is nuanced. The right amount isn’t one-size-fits-all, and taking too much can be harmful. Your dose should be based on blood work ordered by your doctor, which shows where your levels are now and how much support you actually need. This is especially important if you have kidney disease, since vitamin D is processed by the kidneys and needs are different.
Not sure if you’re getting enough? Our dietitians can review your diet and labs and build a plan that fits you. Many insurance plans, including Medicare, cover nutrition counseling.
📅 Book: bloomnutritionsolutions.com/dietitian-nutritionist-utica/
📞 Call or text: 315-351-2622
