Alpha-Carotene is a precursor to creating vitamin A in the body, and while important, is far less common than beta-carotene. Like beta-carotene, alpha-carotene is fat soluble and is best consumed with some form of fat.

The recommended dietary allowance for alpha-carotene is 21600μg and is derived from how many retinol activity equivalents (RAE) alpha-carotene provides for the creation of vitamin A. For this reason, you do not actually have to worry about meeting the RDA as beta-carotene, and vitamin A both contribute to the RDA.

Foods high in alpha-carotene include orange vegetables like pumpkin, carrots, and winter squash. Other alpha-carotene food sources include tangerines, tomatoes, collards, napa cabbage, sweet potatoes, avocados, and bananas. Below are the top 10 foods highest in alpha-carotene, for more, see the nutrient ranking of foods high in alpha-carotene.