Vitamin C is an antioxidant that has many essential roles in the body other than boosting our immune systems. It keeps the skin healthy by building collagen, improves mood and helps with efficient metabolism. Our bodies cannot store or create vitamin C, so we need to eat foods containing it on a consistent basis. Most of us associate oranges with vitamin C – one orange contains about 100 milligrams of vitamin C (130% daily recommended intake) and 70 calories. The truth is that many other foods contain as much vitamin C as oranges and fewer calories.

• Half a stalk of broccoli (25 calories)
• Seven large strawberries (40 calories)
• One cup Brussels sprouts (40 calories)

Some foods contain more vitamin C than oranges, such as:

• One medium red bell pepper (152 mg)
• One-and-a-half cups of kale (120 mg)
• 10 strawberries (108 mg)