Foods Containing Chromium

The mineral chromium, required in trace amounts, helps regulate blood glucose and cholesterol levels, transports protein to cells and is involved in nucleic acid metabolism. The body does not produce chromium on its own, so this mineral must be obtained from food. Since commercial food processing decreases chromium content, fresh and whole foods are best.

Considerations

• People need 11 to 45 micrograms of chromium daily, and this is easy to obtain by eating many different foods. Because we need such small amounts, nutritionists do not recommend chromium supplements.

Whole Grains

• People can gain chromium from whole-grain breads and cereals, but not from refined products which remove the bran and germ from the grains.

Vegetables and Fruit

• Broccoli and potatoes are the two vegetables with the highest content of chromium. Grape juice and orange juice are excellent sources as well.

Meat

• People can obtain sufficient chromium by eating turkey, chicken and oysters.

Spices

• Eating foods with garlic and basil also is a good way to obtain chromium.