The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that older adults, people with dark skin, and those exposed to insufficient ultraviolet radiation (i.e., sunlight) consume extra vitamin D from vitamin D-fortified foods and/or supplements. Individuals in these high-risk groups should consume 25 microg (1000 IU) of vitamin D daily to maintain adequate blood concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the biomarker for vitamin D status. This review considers recommendations for vitamin D-rich foods and dietary supplements, as well as specific problems with self-prescribing sun exposure or artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation to meet the vitamin D recommendations for older people.