Beyond Supplements: Using Vitamin C-Rich Foods in Your Cooking
Many people depend on multivitamins and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) supplements in their quest for improving health. This is to make sure they receive all the nutrients that are needed by the immune system. So, as an alternative to taking supplements, you can boost your vitamin intake naturally and deliciously by adding foods high in ascorbic acid to your cuisine.
Ascorbic acid usually comes in tablets, pills, syrups or other forms of supplements. These are typically taken after breakfast. However, there is another handy way in maintaining a healthy body; including ascorbic-rich foods into your meals. Not only will it improve your health, it will do so while providing a wide array of tastes onto your taste buds.
In this piece, we will touch on the advantages of eating foods high in ascorbic acid. As well as the clever ways that you can include them into your cuisine.
Benefits of Vitamin C
It’s common knowledge that ascorbic acid strengthens the body’s immunity and helps in preventing colds or flus. But its advantages go beyond only bolstering the immune system.
This vitamin is responsible for potent antioxidants that promote healthy-looking skin. Also, it shields the cells from harm, and facilitates the absorption of iron from plant-based diets.
Furthermore, the production of collagen, a protein that promotes joint health and skin elasticity, depends on this vitamin.
Top Vitamin C-Rich Foods
There are so many foods out there that are rich in ascorbic acid. We will not be discussing all of them but here are some that you would normally find in your kitchen or local groceries.
These foods will make a fine addition to your everyday meals. Whether you eat them as a healthy snack, as a drink, or simply as a dessert, you can never go wrong with these vitamin-rich foods.
Citrus Fruits
Some of the foods that contain ascorbic acid are citrus fruits. These would be oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits and many more. These are all excellent sources of this vitamin, and they can easily be found in groceries or fruit stands.
Squeeze some fresh citrus juice over salads or fish dishes for a burst of flavor and nutrition. You will enjoy your meal, while receiving some good vitamins to sustain your health.
Bell Peppers
Often confused by some to be vegetables, all types of bell peppers are fruits. The red, yellow, and green bell peppers are all packed with the vitamin ascorbic.
Try adding them to stir-fried meals and salads, it will add more flavors to your meal. But, if you prefer to keep it simple, you can enjoy eating them raw with either hummus or guacamole.
Strawberries
This very popular fruit is known for its juiciness with sweet and sour taste. These fruits are not only delicious, but are also considered to be ascorbic-rich. If you’re into morning oats with yogurt, this will make a fine breakfast for you.
Also, ingesting them as drinks will also please the taste buds. You can blend them into a smoothie, or shake, and enjoy the vitamin ascorbic, in an enjoyable way.
Kiwi
A tropical fruit that’s high in ascorbic is the kiwi. You can peel and slice these fruits for a refreshing snack. You can even add them to fruit salads for that sweet yet tangy flavor.
It is not widely known that they are rich in ascorbic. Oranges often overshadow other fruits when talking about the vitamin, ascorbic. But now that more people are aware of this, adding them to snacks or desserts will increase one’s vitamin-intake.
Broccoli
Similar to the kiwi, not many people are aware that broccolis are packed with the vitamin, ascorbic. In fact, this vegetable is a great source of ascorbic as it contains 89.2 mg of it.
Try to steam or roast some broccoli as a side dish. You can even add it to pasta dishes for added ascorbic, vitamin B6, protein, potassium and dietary fiber.
Incorporating Vitamin C into Your Cooking
Eating vitamin-rich foods is a good way to maintain a fit and healthy body. As mentioned earlier, it is another way to let your body receive ascorbic acid. There are numerous options to take this vitamin; but incorporating it into your cooking is one of the best ways.
Below are some cuisine and drinks that used ascorbic-rich foods as ingredients. This is a fun and creative way for you to enjoy the taste of this vitamin. It not only keeps you healthy, it provides you with the most wonderful tastes.
Marinades and Dressings
If you want to add more flavor and aroma to your salad dressing, you can use citrus juices. This can be added as base for your marinades and salad dressings.
Also, you can even combine lemon or lime juice with olive oil, garlic, and herbs. This can be a flavorful marinade for your chicken or fish cuisines.
Smoothies
If you prefer to ingest these fruits and veggies as drinks, you can blend these ascorbic-rich fruits. These can be fruits like oranges, strawberries, kiwi and many more.
Blend these so you can enjoy them as a smoothie. This will make for a quick yet nutritious breakfast or snack.
Roasted Vegetables
Another way to enjoy these foods as ingredients is to roast them. You can opt to roast bell peppers, broccoli, and other ascorbic-rich vegetables.
Try to add some olive oil and seasonings to it as well. This will offer you a flavorful side dish.
Fruit Salads
Last but not least, a very popular way to enjoy these ascorbic-rich fruits is to make some fruit salad. This is easily done by combining a variety of fruits like oranges, strawberries, and kiwi for a refreshing and nutritious dessert.
Just add some cream, milk or some greek yogurt and you’re good to go. You can choose to alter ingredients you prefer on your salad if you want to further enhance your healthy and delicious dessert.
Key Takeaway
Foods that are rich in Vitamin C are a delightful and nutritious addition to your meals. Because when it comes to remaining healthy, you can’t go wrong with eating foods high in ascorbic. There are many delectable options to choose from, whether they are citrus fruits or vegetables.
Furthermore, adding these foods as ingredients to your cuisine will be a creative way you can enjoy the benefits of this vitamin. Foods such as strawberry, kiwi or broccoli can be turned into salads, drinks, or dressings.
So why not try experimenting in the kitchen with new dishes? Incorporate this vitamin into your everyday diet. Your body will surely be grateful for it!