Now is an excellent time to make sure your immune system is capable and healthy, and vitamin C is a great place to start.
We’re sure you know oranges are incredible sources of the citrusy vitamin; they’ve been the better-known vitamin C source for decades, but there’s a dozen of other foods with as much vitamin C as oranges or more.
Here are our top ten favorite foods packed with vitamin C. Make sure you add them to your grocery list, because they’re not only healthy, they’re delicious!
#10 – Chili Peppers
Chili peppers are just fun. Feeling the heat is thrilling! Actually, eating hot peppers regularly has an immense effect on your health, from weight loss to pain relief.
Chili peppers have exorbitant amounts of vitamin C too, only one green chili pepper has enough to cover your daily dietary needs for vitamin C and then some. Red peppers have slightly lower quantities of the vitamin, but they’re still off the charts.
#9 – Parsley
We won’t lie. Most leafy greens have acceptable amounts of vitamins, including vitamin C, but some are exceptionally high in the Vit-C department.
One cup of parley has about the daily recommended vitamin C intake, currently at 90 grams. And although that’s a lot of parsley, if you add it to everything from stews and soups to sauces and pizzas, you’ll reap the rewards soon.
#8 – Kiwis
Is there a fruit more beautiful than kiwi? That bright green color and neatly organized seeds inside a furry peel are hard not to love. The exotic, tropical fruit is tasty too, and the best part of it all, it has lots of vitamin C.
A large kiwi will cover your vitamin C needs for the day. And you know one kiwi is never enough.
#7 – Strawberries
This list keeps on getting better. A cup of juicy strawberries adds the 90 grams of vitamin C you need for the day. And we can all agree they taste better than the orangy vitamin C supplements.
Add strawberries to salads, top a slice of cheesecake with them or cover them in chocolate, there’s no excuse for not enjoying these sweet treats of nature regularly.
#6 – Kale
Yes, it’s kale again. Is there something this super leafy green can’t do?
As you know, kale is a fabulous source for vitamin K, and it has powerful antioxidants. A cup of kale has almost the amount of vitamin C you need too, making it a well-rounded superfood. Make yourself a salad or a tasty soup but start eating kale today.
#5 – Guavas
Taking out the big guns, guavas are massive sources of vitamin C. It’s impressive that such a small and gentle fruit has 140% the amount of vitamin C you need for an entire day, you read that right, one single guava will keep your immune system strong and healthy for the day.
Guavas are fabulous on their own; you only have to get used to their many seeds.
#4 – Broccoli
We hate giving you bad news, but you have to eat your broccoli. Some people love it, sure, but not everyone. One cup of broccoli has all the vitamin C you need for a balanced daily diet; they also have fiber and many essential minerals. The small trees are super good for you, so give it another chance.
#3 – Tomatoes
Tomatoes give you folate (V-B9), vitamin K, and potassium, and add almost no carbs to your diet. They also have decent amounts of vitamin C, you need to eat three of them to meet your daily goal, but that isn’t that hard, is it?
Tomatoes are also versatile in the kitchen, so it’s easier to add them to your daily meal rotation.
#2 – Bell Peppers
Bell peppers are chili peppers, but they pack no heat, making them more versatile and easier to add to your recipes. The good news, bell peppers have as much vitamin C as their spicy cousins — One medium-sized bell pepper contains 170% of your vitamin C needs, so adding only a handful of sliced bells peppers to your stir-fries will have you covered.
#1 – Pineapples
If you’re not fond of pineapple in your pizza, this will change your mind. 3/4 of a cup of pineapple covers your daily needs for vitamin C, and it also provides you with a dozen essential minerals, including manganese, copper, potassium, magnesium, and many others.
Good for the digestive system too, and an excellent anti-inflammatory, if you want to add pineapple to your pizza, we won’t stop you.
And then there’s the other citrus fruit!
Of course, you can add to this list oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, and tangerines. The citrus family is loaded with vitamin C, and they’re great add-ons to your breakfast, they’re tasty snacks, and key to refreshing juices.
Keep your immune system healthy and stay safe. And remember to be active, eat in moderation, and keep your diet varied.
The best way to make sure your body has what it needs is by eating a little of everything and not too much of anything. Making yourself a smoothie with all ingredients above might be a good idea too!
