Vitamin C is probably the world’s favorite vitamin. We hear about it on TV and see it added to products like orange juice and breakfast cereal. Vitamin C’s reputation is probably well-deserved. This vitamin is essential for a variety of bodily processes. While our bodies don’t make vitamin C, so just like our ancestors, we’ve got to get it from our food or locate some other supplemental source.
While a diet rich in fruits and vegetables should provide more than enough of for your body’s daily vitamin C requirements, this simply isn’t the way that many people eat. Fortunately, food does not represent the full extent of available vitamin C sources. Below, we’ll talk about how to incorporate more natural vitamin C into your diet, as well as supplemental sources that’ll provide you with your daily dose no matter what.Â
Vitamin C Sources from Food
Vitamin C is so prevalent in fruits and vegetables that people who eat them frequently might not even need to estimate how much they’re consuming. For most of human history, this would have been the only way to get vitamin C, so it makes sense that human cultivated plants would be a good source of this vitamin. If you are not in the habit of eating many fruits and veggies, however, here are some delicious places to start.
Citrus – Fruits like oranges provide a high value of vitamin C per serving. The reason why it is so prevalent in oranges is not fully understood, but this characteristic seems to be shared by all other citrus fruits. Citrus is a wonderful way to add vitamins to your day. Eat them plain, as a fruit salad, or juice them at breakfast (the fresher the better with vitamin C!). If you live in part of the world where citrus grows naturally, you already have amazing options nearby.
Brassicas and Greens – Mmm…the beautiful brassicas. Brassicas all descend from the humble cabbage, but this doesn’t mean their homogenous or boring. Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, turnips, brussels sprouts, bok choy, kohlrabi – the actual list is much longer! Suffice to say, somewhere in the varied family of brassica lies a veggie you can learn to love. Well-stocked with natural vitamin C, brassicas contain numerous other nutrients as well.
Tomatoes – There are many ways to enjoy tomatoes, with the added benefit of high vitamin C levels. Uncooked tomatoes retain the most active vitamin C at mealtime, but it’s worth noting, most other nutrients are actually boosted during the cooking process. Enjoy in various preparations for the whole bouquet of nutrients.
These foods can be prepared in delicious ways and are great for muscle recovery and growth. Fruits and greens make delicious smoothies. Strawberries and citruses can be used in a variety of breakfasts and desserts, or as snacks throughout the day. Tomatoes can be eaten as sauces, and heirloom varieties can be savored raw with salt, pepper, and a little olive oil. You’ll grow to enjoy these fruits and veggies as you expand your repertoire of recipes and preparations. Soon enough, it’ll be the most natural thing in the world to eat this way.Â
Supplemental Vitamin C Sources
Sometimes, we just can’t eat as healthily as we might wish. For times like this, vitamin C supplements are a great thing to have around. Fortunately, supplemental vitamin C is absorbed by the body just as well as vitamin C from plant sources.
As you can see, vitamin C sources are common and accessible. There’s no reason not to eat your daily dose of C, so pick some sources that work for you, and enjoy as they become an important part of your life.
