8 Foods Loaded With Vitamin C
Vitamin C gets a lot of hype.
And it should. Vitamin C contributes to your health from head to toe -- from teeth and tendons to skin and scrapes to bones and blood. And of course, don't forget the vitamin's famous antioxidant duties, as it valiantly fights off free radicals. So how do we ensure we have enough of this important vitamin? We eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables. The following foods are loaded with vitamin C and should be regulars at mealtime.
Red and green bell peppers
The orange is the poster fruit of vitamin C, and in the next slide, you'll see it's worthy of the distinction. But, believe it or not, red bell peppers contain even more vitamin C than oranges. A half cup serving of this raw veggie packs a whopping 158 percent daily value of the vitamin. Green peppers are a good option, too -- the same serving is loaded with 100 percent. So grab the hummus and start snacking!
Oranges and orange juice
No surprise here. One medium orange contains 117 percent daily value of vitamin C, and three-fourths a cup of OJ packs 155 percent. Like many fruits and vegetables, oranges are also a great source of fiber, which helps with digestion and may also lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice
Mix up your citrus routine by trying the orange's tart cousin, the grapefruit. A three-fourths cup of grapefruit juice packs 117 percent daily value of vitamin C, while half a medium grapefruit has 65 percent. Just take it easy on the sugar if you're sweetening this citrus.
Kiwi
There's a lot of vitamin C packed in this little fruit. Peel away its skin, and you'll find 107 percent daily value of vitamin C, along with plenty of fiber and vitamin K, which helps with blood clotting.
Broccoli
This hearty vegetable is loaded with the good stuff: fiber, folate, potassium, magnesium and vitamin K. Broccoli also boasts plenty of vitamin A, which helps keep skin, teeth and eyes healthy, as well as -- you guessed it -- vitamin C. A half cup of cooked broccoli will earn you 85 percent daily value of vitamin C, and a half cup of the raw vegetable will add up to 65 percent.
Strawberries
What's a better sweet, seasonal treat than strawberries? There's a ton of fiber packed into these little fruits, and vitamin C, too -- a half cup of raw, sliced strawberries contains 82 percent daily value of the vitamin. As Eat + Run blogger Frances Largeman-Roth points out, these berries are a standout snack on their own, or they can add some punch to yogurt, oatmeal or a green salad.
Brussels sprouts
Vitamin C is just one of the many nutrients this veggie boasts. A side of Brussels sprouts will get you plenty of vitamins A and K, as well as folate, potassium and manganese. In terms of vitamin C, a half cup of cooked Brussels sprouts yields 80 percent of the daily value.
Tomatoes and tomato juice
Tomatoes are loaded with vitamin K, potassium and lycopene -- a phytochemical that helps protect your skin from sun damage. A medium raw tomato boasts 28 percent daily value of vitamin C, and three-quarters of a cup of tomato juice contains 55 percent. Think beyond the tomato slice on your sandwich. This Eat + Run post gives recipes for a tomato facial, salad and bloody mary remix.