I thought I was doing everything right. I live in a sunny climate most of the year. I eat a fairly balanced diet. I work in nutrition and spend a good part of my life reading research and helping other people make sense of it. So when my doctor told me my vitamin D levels were very low, I was surprised. But the more I looked into it, the less surprising it became. Vitamin D deficiency is common, and it often hides in plain sight. People assume they are getting enough because they go outside, eat reasonably well, or take care of their health in general. Yet vitamin D status depends on a lot more than sunshine and good intentions. Skin tone, age, sunscreen use, time indoors, and the fact that few foods naturally contain much vitamin D all make deficiency surprisingly easy. My experience is just one example, and nutrition is always personal. What made sense for me may not be right for everyone, so check with your own clinician before making changes. What …