What yogurt has a lot of vitamin D? Fortified Brands and Guide

December 27, 2025 •

3 min read

Most yogurt does not naturally contain significant amounts of vitamin D, as manufacturers must fortify it to boost its nutritional content. This process is crucial because many people fall short of the recommended daily intake, making fortified yogurt a simple and tasty way to increase vitamin D levels.

Quick Summary

Fortified yogurt is a key dietary source of vitamin D, but content varies widely by brand and product. Always check the Nutrition Facts label to confirm fortification levels, as some products contain very little or none.

Key Points

Check the Label: Vitamin D is not naturally high in yogurt; look for 'fortified with vitamin D' on the Nutrition Facts label to ensure you're getting it.
Top Brands: Yoplait Original and Dannon Plain Low Fat are common brands that offer a substantial amount of vitamin D, typically around 15% of the Daily Value.
Not All Yogurts are Fortified: Popular brands like Siggi's are not fortified with vitamin D, so it is important to read the label and not assume all yogurt contains this nutrient.
Choose Plain Yogurt: To avoid high amounts of added sugar, opt for plain fortified yogurt and add your own toppings like fruit or nuts.
Explore Other Options: Kefir, a drinkable fermented milk product, can also be fortified with high levels of vitamin D and offers a greater variety of probiotic strains.
Read the Fine Print: Even within the same brand, fortification levels can vary by product. Always compare the nutrition labels to find the option with the highest vitamin D content.
Supplement Benefits: Studies have shown that consuming vitamin D-fortified yogurt can effectively increase blood levels of the vitamin and may offer other health benefits.

The Role of Fortification in Yogurt's Vitamin D Content

Unlike milk, yogurt is not always fortified with vitamin D, and when it is, the levels can differ dramatically. Naturally, milk provides very little vitamin D, so it is often fortified to improve bone health and calcium absorption. The same principle applies to yogurt. To determine if a yogurt has vitamin D, and how much, the Nutrition Facts label is the most reliable source of information. You will want to look for the percentage of the Daily Value (DV) listed for vitamin D. The standard Daily Value for adults is 20 micrograms (800 IU), so a product with 15% DV contains 3 mcg of vitamin D. Some brands, particularly those marketed as 'Icelandic' or 'Greek-style,' may be higher in protein but not necessarily fortified with vitamin D.

Notable Brands Offering Fortified Yogurt

While many brands offer fortified products, some consistently provide higher levels of vitamin D. Here are some options to consider when seeking a good dietary source of this nutrient:

Yoplait Original: Products like the Original Vanilla and Strawberry yogurt often provide 15% of the Daily Value for vitamin D per serving.
Dannon Plain Low Fat: This product also provides 15% of the Daily Value for vitamin D.
Stonyfield Organic: Many of their whole milk probiotic yogurts, including the plain and fruit flavors, are fortified with Vitamin D, typically offering around 10% of the Daily Value.
Kefir: As a fermented milk drink, kefir can be an excellent source of vitamin D and probiotics, often containing more than traditional yogurt. Check the label for fortification details, as varieties vary.

The Health Benefits of Vitamin D Fortified Yogurt

Regularly consuming fortified yogurt can offer several health advantages beyond just increasing your vitamin D intake. Research indicates that vitamin D-fortified yogurt can lead to several positive health outcomes when consumed consistently.

Improved Vitamin D Status: A systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Dairy Science found that fortified yogurt significantly increased blood levels of vitamin D in study participants.
Enhanced Bone Health: Along with the calcium found naturally in yogurt, the added vitamin D helps improve the body's absorption of this mineral, contributing to stronger bones.
Potential Metabolic Benefits: Some studies have shown that consuming fortified yogurt may also be associated with improved weight management and better blood glucose control.

Choosing the Best Yogurt for Your Needs

To find the best option for you, it is important to look at more than just the vitamin D content. Consider these factors when making your selection:

Read the Label: The most important step is always checking the Nutrition Facts label. Compare the DV for vitamin D across different products.
Watch for Added Sugars: Many fortified yogurts also contain significant amounts of added sugar. Plain, unflavored options allow you to control the sweetness by adding your own fruit or a small amount of sweetener.
Check Protein Content: Greek and Icelandic skyr yogurts are known for their high protein content, but as noted, they are not always fortified. If you want high protein and high vitamin D, ensure the product is fortified.

Comparison of Yogurt Brands and Their Vitamin D Content

This table illustrates how vitamin D levels can vary significantly across different yogurt products. Always check the label for the most accurate and up-to-date information.


Brand	Product	Vitamin D (per serving)	Sugars (per serving)	Protein (per serving)
Yoplait	Original Strawberry (6 oz)	3 mcg (15% DV)	18g	5g
Dannon	Plain Low Fat (5.3 oz)	2.6 mcg (15% DV)	Varies	Varies
Stonyfield	Organic Whole Milk Plain (32 oz, serving 6oz)	1.9 mcg (10% DV)	6g	6g
Siggi's	Plain Nonfat Skyr (5.3 oz)	0 mcg (0% DV)	5g	16g
Light + Fit	Vanilla Greek (5.3 oz)	0 mcg (0% DV)	3g	12g

Conclusion

In summary, the best way to find a yogurt with a lot of vitamin D is to look for fortified products and read the Nutrition Facts label closely. Natural yogurt has negligible amounts of this essential nutrient, making fortification a vital part of its nutritional profile. While many brands like Yoplait and Dannon offer fortified options providing 15% of the daily value, others—particularly certain Greek or Icelandic brands like Siggi's—may not be fortified at all. By being a vigilant label reader, you can easily find a tasty, vitamin D-rich yogurt to help support your bone health and overall nutrition goals. For more information on fortified foods, see this WIC Works guide: What Do I Do With Yogurt?.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many fortified yogurts, such as Yoplait Original and Dannon Plain Low Fat, provide approximately 15% of the recommended Daily Value of vitamin D per serving.

No, not all yogurt is fortified. Products like Siggi's Icelandic skyr and some non-dairy options may not contain any added vitamin D, so checking the product label is essential.

Yes, vitamin D content varies significantly by brand and product line. While some brands offer 15% DV, others may offer 10% or none at all, depending on the specific product.

To check for vitamin D, you must look at the Nutrition Facts label on the yogurt container. The label will list the vitamin D content in both micrograms (mcg) and as a percentage of the Daily Value (% DV).

The amount of vitamin D depends on fortification, not the type of yogurt. While Greek yogurt is higher in protein, a fortified regular yogurt might have more vitamin D. For example, Light + Fit Greek has 0% DV for vitamin D, while Dannon's plain low-fat yogurt has 15% DV.

Fortified yogurt provides dietary vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption and bone health. Consuming it regularly can help improve vitamin D levels and support overall immunity.

Kefir is a drinkable fermented milk product that is often fortified with vitamin D, potentially offering higher levels than some yogurts. Other alternatives include fortified milk, cereals, and orange juice.