Healthy Bits · Nutrition & wellness
B12 for plant-based eaters
Vitamin B12 helps your body make red blood cells and keep your nerves healthy, and it's found almost entirely in animal foods. So if you eat vegan, or mostly plants, B12 deserves a little attention.
Some foods help:
- Nutritional yeast, the cheesy-tasting flakes, which is often fortified with B12
- Fortified plant milks and cereals
- Eggs and dairy, if you include them
Fortified foods can be hit or miss, though, and most experts recommend that vegans use a reliable B12 source such as a supplement. Low levels can develop slowly over years, so ask your doctor or practitioner about testing and the right form and dose for you.
Try this: check the labels on your plant milk and nutritional yeast today to see whether they're fortified.
- vegetarian
- vitamins
- energy
Healthy Bits are for general education and aren’t medical advice. Check with your doctor or healthcare provider before making changes, especially if you’re pregnant or nursing, take medication, or are managing a health condition.