11 Foods That are Best Source of Vitamin B

Constantly tired? A vitamin B deficiency might be to blame: Low vitamin B6 and B12 levels have been linked to anemia—which can leave you extremely exhausted and fatigued. And those are just two of the eight B vitamins that your body uses to convert food into energy and boost the health of your hair, nails, and skin. They're all needed in order to survive, says nutritionist and bestselling cookbook author Toby Amidor, RD

All B vitamins (aka vitamin B-complex) serve different functions, and some deficiencies are much more likely in some B vitamins than in others. Vegetarians and women who are pregnant or want to become pregnant tend to be deficient in B6, B12, and folate. Read on to learn more about the benefits of B vitamins and the foods that can help ensure you're getting enough.

Avocado

The grandfather of all superfoods, one whole avocado is packed with 41 percent of your daily folate needs, 26 percent B6, 28 percent pantothenic acid, 17 percent thiamin, and 9 percent riboflavin, as well as biotin and over 20 percent of your daily requirements for vitamins C, E, K, fiber, and potassium. Avocadoes are super healthy, and even eat half of one is still a good source of nutrients, says Amidor. Even though it is high in calories, it's very filling because of the healthy fat and fiber. She likes pureeing avocado and using it in classic dips like guac and hummus, blending it into no-cook cold soups, or using it as an alternative to oil in salad dressings.

Pork Tenderloin

If you're a meat-eater, pork is probably your best bet for a laundry list of B vitamins. A 3-ounce serving of pork tenderloin has just 120 calories and less saturated fat than a chicken breast, says Stefanski. The bonus is that it's one of the highest sources of thiamin (54 percent), riboflavin (19 percent), niacin (37 percent), B12 (8 percent), and B6 (37 percent). It also has a bit of biotin, plus phosphorus, zinc, and protein. If you're looking to enhance the nutrition of your stir-fry, pork tenderloin along with a lot of veggies is a good bet, she says. Or, swap it in place of chicken or red meat, like in sandwiches, tacos, chili, kabobs, and soups.

Low Fat Yogurt

Like all dairy, yogurt is an awesome source of a bunch of B vitamins. One cup of plain, low-fat yogurt nets 31 percent riboflavin, 23 percent B12, and 14 percent pantothenic acid, plus biotin and bone-building calcium and around 10 percent vitamin D, if it's supplemented—along with phosphorus potassium, zinc, and selenium. Go Greek and you'll get twice as much protein per serving plus less sodium and sugars, which are cut back during the straining process. Amidor uses Greek yogurt to make popsicles, replace butter in baked goods, and prepare dips, sauces, and dressings, like in this eggs benedict recipe. Combining 50/50 with ricotta makes a lower-fat, high-protein pizza topping.

Salmon

Even though you see a trend to more plant-based diets, most nutrition organizations still recommend including fatty fish like salmon two or three times a week. And most people aren't getting enough, says Stefanski. Many people shy away from fish, but learning how to make it can benefit inflammation and health. In three cooked ounces of salmon, you'll get 40 percent B12, 34 percent niacin, 27 percent B6, 19 percent thiamin, and 12 percent pantothenic acid and some biotin. Like all fatty fish, salmon is your best source of omega-3s, which boosts your brain and heart health. Not a fan of salmon? Sardines, tuna, and mackerel are also good options.

Both Stefanski and Amidor recommend keeping it simple: Buy prepared fish that's already seasoned and comes with cooking instructions, or sprinkle a filet with salt, pepper, and slices of lemon and bake in the oven at 400°F for about 15 minutes, until it flakes easily with a fork. Or use canned salmon to make croquettes and burgers.

Chicken

Aside from being an excellent source of the antioxidant selenium, a three-ounce chicken breast is loaded with 59 percent niacin, 26 percent B6, and smaller amounts of riboflavin and B12. Amidor likes to cook up extra chicken to top salads, throw into soups and stews, or toss in the blender to make burgers or chili.

Eggs

As one of the best sources of lutein—which helps with eyesight and skin elasticity—one large egg also delivers 14 percent riboflavin, 11 percent B12, and smaller amounts of folate, B6 and biotin. Depending on what the chickens are fed, eggs can also be a decent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Amidor eats eggs regularly at breakfast and also hard boils half a dozen to keep in the fridge for a quick snack topped with salt, Sriracha, chili pepper flakes, or paprika, or served alongside sliced tomatoes.

Sunflower Seeds and Butter

Like all seeds and nuts, sunflower seeds and sunflower butter are a good vegetarian bet for a bunch of B vitamins—plus, unlike many nuts, it's free of common food allergens.

Sunflower seeds provide a significant amount of folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, and vitamin B6 in only a small amount of food, says Stefanski.

The insoluble fiber in seeds and nuts also helps keep you regular, and they serve up a dose of biotin, vitamin E, magnesium, copper, and zinc. Amidor, a nutrition partner with SunButter, recommends enjoying two tablespoons with meals and one tablespoon for snacks. She trades dairy-based butter for sunflower butter in pancakes and muffin batters to reduce the saturated fat and up the heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

Nutritional Yeast

Unless you're a vegetarian, you may never have heard of vegemite—aka nutritional yeast. People don't know how to use it, and it has a very unique taste that most people outside of Australia might not be familiar with, says Stefanski.

But because it's fortified, it's a good source of all types of B vitamins. A one-third-cup serving is an excellent source of thiamine (50 percent), folate (50 percent), riboflavin (25 percent), and niacin (25 percent). Its cheesy flavor works best with sautéed greens or popcorn or as an alternative to Parmesan on top of spaghetti with pesto.

Chickpeas

Chickpeas are one of the best vegan sources of B6, says Stefanski, supplying 20 percent of your daily needs plus 35 percent folate in half a cup. Other vegetarian-friendly sources of B6 include fortified breakfast cereals, potatoes, bananas, and bulgur. You'll also get loads of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and protein in chickpeas. They're really great to support your microbiome because they have a type of soluble fiber that nourishes your gut bacteria. They're also a good source of iron, and most Americans are deficient. The mild flavor makes a good addition to many recipes, she says. Try tossing chickpeas into your salads or roasting them with olive oil, salt, garlic salt, and cayenne pepper for a filling snack. Or ground them up and add to muffin, brownie, and cookie recipes.

Beet Greens

Beets are very popular, but you don't hear as much about the greens, says Stefanski. You're getting two different sources of nutrition if you buy both, and the top is where you get B vitamins. Beet greens are also high in nitrate, which several studies have suggested may help lower blood pressure. Because the taste can be strong, most people prefer them cooked and with other strong flavors like bacon. They can be sandy, so soak them in cold water while you're prepping your other vegetables and add to stir-fry or chilis, tossing them in toward the end of cooking.

Want to keep it simple? Spinach is similarly high in B vitamins—and it has a mild flavor that goes almost unnoticed blended into omelets, soups, rice, pasta, and smoothies. By cooking these greens, you'll get more nutrition packed into the same serving size as if you eat it fresh; 1 cup boiled spinach has 66 percent folate, 11 percent thiamin, and some riboflavin and B6, along with vitamins K and A.

Tofu

Tofu is a fortified delivery method for B12 for vegans and veggies, says Stefanski. A three-ounce serving of the fortified stuff has 20 percent of your daily B6, B12, and riboflavin, and it's an excellent source of calcium and protein. Marinate and fry tofu to use anywhere you'd use chicken or beef—salads, sandwiches, soups, and stir fry. Don't like the texture or flavor? Choose silken tofu (often found in the salad section) and puree until smooth to add to pasta sauces and smoothies.