Get Your C's Here...

Vitamin C is chockfull of energy-boosting, disease-preventing, and age-defying benefits. Need to fight a cold? Get fewer wrinkles? Keep your immune system strong? This antioxidant fits the bill. The Institute of Medicine recommends a minimum daily intake of 75 milligrams for the average woman. The following recipes represent the best way to get vitamin C because they are low in fat and include other nutrients such as vitamin A and fiber, like this Grapefruit Brulée from Sunset.

A vitamin C powerhouse, one papaya contains 188 mg of the disease-fighting nutrient. Add this lush tropical fruit to your diet in the form of a zesty fruit salsa. Recipe:Broiled Lamb with Cilantro-Papaya Salsa

Citrus fruits–including oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, lemons, and limes–are the best-known sources of vitamin C, One orange contains 70 mg of vitamin C. Try our recipe for Beef, Orange, and Gorgonzola Sandwiches to boost your intake. Oranges are used as a topping, adding a sweetly refreshing note to the savory flank steak and blue cheese. Recipe:Beef, Orange, and Gorgonzola Sandwiches

This 25-minute, low-calorie soup packs a powerful vitamin C punch. Include it in your weeknight dinner rotation as well as simple sides of steamed broccoli–one cup provides over 100 percent of the recommended daily amount. Recipe:Broccoli and Cheese Soup

You knew there was a reason why Mom wanted you to eat up during holiday dinners. Brussels sprouts, as well as other members of the cruciferous vegetable family, boast cancer-fighting vitamins A and C, plus fiber. In this 25-minute recipe, the sprouts are roasted, making them exceptionally sweet and tender. Recipe:Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Creamy Mustard Sauce

Another great reason to eat strawberries: one cup contains 85 mg of vitamin C. With less than 250 calories per serving, Cooking Light's strawberry shortcake is a healthy dessert packed with more benefits than simply sensational flavor. Recipe:Strawberry Shortcake

Make your cocktail work for you. A fun twist on a classic summertime drink, this Kiwi Colada recipes uses 5 kiwifruit. One kiwi contains 70 mg of vitamin C, so you can have your cocktail and vitamins, too. Recipe:Kiwi Colada

Red and green bell peppers are some of the best vegetable sources of vitamin C. One cup of raw, red bell peppers contains 175 mg of C. Try them roasted and use as a topping for pizzas, chicken sautés, and sandwiches. Recipe:Grilled Chicken and Roasted Red Pepper Sandwiches with Fontina Cheese

Of course, there's a world of healthy eating beyond vitamin C, so check out these articles for more ways to stay in top shape.