Vitamin B12:
A Guide for Teens
Why is Vitamin B important?
Vitamin B12 is needed to keep your blood healthy and is used by the body to make proteins. Most people can easily get all the vitamin B12 they need from food, but some groups of people, such as vegans, have to work harder to get enough vitamin B12 in their diets. Having a diet that is too low in vitamin B12 over time can cause anemia (a condition that occurs when you don't have enough healthy red blood cells) or problems with memory and confusion.
How much Vitamin B do I need every day?
The amount of vitamin B12 you need each day, or recommended daily allowance (RDA), depends on your age. If you are 9 to 13 years old, you need 1.8 micrograms each day. If you are 14 years old or older, you need 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 each day.
What foods are good sources for Vitamin B?
Vitamin B12 is found naturally in animal products and is also added to certain foods. Good sources of vitamin B12 include:
If you are a vegan (a vegetarian who does not to eat any animal products), then you should take a vitamin supplement or eat fortified foods (foods that have vitamin B12 added). Check food labels to find products such as breakfast cereals, cereal bars, soy milk, and meat substitutes that are fortified with vitamin B12. You can also add nutritional yeast to soups and casseroles to get more vitamin B12.
| Food | Serving Size | Micrograms of B12 per Serving |
| Dairy Products | ||
| Cow's Milk | 1 cup | 1.0 |
| Cheddar Cheese | 1 ounce | 0.2 |
| Ricotta Cheese | ½ cup | 0.4 |
| Yogurt | 1 cup | 1.4 |
| Fortified Foods | ||
| Cheerios® | 1 cup | 1.7 |
| Special K® | 1 cup | 6.0 |
| Wheaties® | 1 cup | 3.6 |
| Whole Grain Total® | ¾ cup | 6.4 |
| Nutritional yeast | 1 tbsp | 4.0 |
| Meat, Poultry, Fish | ||
| Chicken breast | 3 ounces | 0.3 |
| Hamburger, lean | 3 ounces | 2.1 |
| Shrimp | 3 ounces | 1.3 |
| Sirloin steak | 3 ounces | 2.4 |
| Salmon, Atlantic | 3 ounces | 2.6 |
| Meat Alternatives | ||
| Veggie burger | 1 | 1.4 |
| Morningstar Farms Chick Patty® | 1 | 1.2 |
| Morningstar Farms Sausage Style Recipe Crumbles® | ½ cup | 4.8 |
| Tempeh | 1 cup | 0.1 |
Remember: Most people get enough vitamin B12, but vegans should make sure to eat foods fortified with B12 to help keep their brain and blood healthy! |
Updated: 4/28/2009
Related Information:
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