Vitamin C Boosters: The Food Only Edition

July 07, 2020

Vitamin C has been high on everyone’s antiviral priority list, making vitamin C supplements somewhat difficult to come by these days.

The good news is that we’re meant to be getting tons of vitamin C from our food! When we eat foods that are naturally high in vitamin C, we’re also getting the benefits of the natural antioxidants those foods contain, which help our bodies balance excess inflammation and boost our immune system.

If you asked someone which food is highest in vitamin C, they’d probably guess an orange. But in fact, bell peppers* are much higher in vitamin C than citrus fruit!

Here’s a list of fruits, vegetables and other plant-foods that have more vitamin C per serving than an orange:

1. Bell peppers* (especially red, orange and yellow peppers)
2. Broccoli
3. Brussels sprouts
4. Lemons
5. Papaya
6. Strawberries
7. Kale
8. Cauliflower
9. Kiwi
10. Mango
11. Rose hips
12. Pineapple

The vitamin C levels in these foods are preserved when frozen, which is important to know, since we’re all working hard to minimize trips to the supermarket. So stock up on any and all of these, fresh or frozen, and get your vitamin C in a delicious, antioxidant-dense package!

*If you react poorly to nightshades, it's best to choose another option from this list.

 

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ROBIN FOROUTAN, MS, RDN, HHC Robin is a registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in Integrative Medicine, Functional Medicine and holistic healing modalities. She helps her clients address complicated conditions and return to wellness.	STEPHANIE MANDEL, NC, HEALTH COACH Stephanie is a Holistic Nutrition Consultant and Emotional Freedom Technique practitioner with a passion for helping her clients fulfill their potential through both emotional and physical optimization.