4 Easy Ways to Get More Vitamin C
| 2 min read
‘Tis the season for getting sick!
But if you’re like most people, you’ll avoid illness at any cost. One of the best ways to do so is getting plenty of vitamins and nutrients, especially Vitamin C. Vitamin C is found in most foods and acts as an antioxidant to protect the body against external factors. Additionally, Vitamin C helps protect the body against disease, makes collagen and absorbs iron.
The recommended daily amount of Vitamin C is about 70-90 mg, and it’s even more if you’re nursing or pregnant.
Foods and supplements that provide Vitamin C
Green veggies– Veggies like brussels sprouts, green peppers, kale and broccoli are all loaded with Vitamin C. Eating these veggies raw is the best way to get the highest concentration of Vitamin C. The more you cook these veggies, the lower their vitamin content goes.
Red peppers: Step up your red pepper intake! A half cup of red bell peppers or chili peppers contains more than your daily dose of Vitamin C. Add them to tacos, raw, or dip them in healthy hummus.
Smoothies: Consider replacing orange juice with smoothies. If you’re not a huge raw fruit eater, you can blend oranges, pineapple, papaya, mango and cantaloupe into a smoothie. All of these fruits are packed with Vitamin C. Replacing OJ for this type of smoothie in the morning increases nutrient intake exponentially, and gives your day a jump start.
Vitamin pils: Like many other vitamins and nutrients, Vitamin C is available in capsule form. Though it is usually OK to take a supplement to boost your body’s Vitamin C content, keep in mind that taking a pill does not excuse an unhealthy diet. Changing your eating habits, even a little, is a healthier way to take in valuable nutrients.
Photo credit: Lee Royal
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