Vitamin A

Vitamin A in Watermelons
Vitamin A
Vitamin A and carotene are found in abundance in both animal and vegetable food sources. There is a good range of vitamin A in fruits and vegetables. The animal source for Vitamin A is in two parts, retinol and dehydroretinol. The vegetable source for Vitamin A is divided into four groups which are alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, gamma-carotene and crypto-carotene.

The body can actually manufacture its own vitamins with enough beta-carotene available in the body. The main requirement of Vitamin A is for night vision, and healthy skin. It does also help the bodies immune system, and due to its unique antioxidants it acts as a protection against pollution and cancer formation from other diseases. Your sense of taste is also enhanced with Vitamin A, not to mention assisting the digestive and urinary tract.

Vitamin A Food Groups and Sources

Bread Cereal and Pulse

There are no sources of Vitamin A found within the Bread, Cereal and Pulse food group, but it can still be incorporated into a healthy and well balanced diet though due to the other food groups having a wide range of Vitamin A sources available.

Fresh Fruits

There are very good sources of Vitamin A found within these fruits in the Fresh Fruits food group. It can be incorporated into a healthy and well balanced diet with ease because fruit has such a wide range and variety in the local supermarkets.

Apricots have a good source of Vitamin A
Apricots are a good source
  • Apricots
  • Mandarin Oranges
  • Mangoes
  • Plums
  • Watermelons

Fresh Vegetables

There are very good sources of Vitamin A found within these vegetables in the Fresh Vegetables food group. It can be incorporated into a healthy and well balanced diet with ease due to the amount of choices and availability with vegetables nowadays.

Carrots have a good source of Vitamin A
Carrots are a rich source
  • Broccoli
  • Carrots
  • Peas
  • Red peppers
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Tomatoes
  • Turnip

Meat and Poultry

There are extremely rich sources found within these meats in the Meat and Poultry food group and can be incorporated into a healthy and well balanced diet with ease nowadays to the wide range of meat and poultry available to us through supermarkets.

Beef has a good source of Vitamin A
Beef is a good source
  • Braised Beef
  • Liver
  • Chicken
  • Turkey

Fish and Seafood

There is a limited source found within the Fish and Seafood food group, but can still be incorporated into a healthy and well balanced diet though due to the other food groups having a wide range of Vitamin A sources available.

  • Mackerel

Dairy Produce

Milk has a limited source of Vitamin A
Milk has a limited source

There is a limited source found within the Dairy Produce food group, but can still be incorporated into a healthy and well balanced diet though due to the other food groups having a wide range of Vitamin A sources available.

  • Milk (Skimmed or Semi Skimmed is best)