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So I got the sniffles (whole fam got sick over the holidays, grumble)... and started thinking. I eat next to no fruit. Mostly just berries or citrus (limes, lemons, grapefruit) in the summer. Being a little under the weather, I started thinking (after I woke up in the middle of the night craving a lemon)... am I being foolish for not consuming, for instance, citrus (for the Vit C)? I do have Vit C tablets, but I'm not religious about taking them (as I am my other vitamins). OR am I brain-washed into thinking Vit C is necessary for health, healthy immune system, etc? Help me understand where my disconnect it & if I should increase/decrease or believe/disbelieve.
(and yes, I enjoyed a lemon this a.m. & feel lots better - i love lemons!)

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4 Answers

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You don't have the eat fruit to get Vitamin C. Check out the top 10 hightest vitamin C foods ... http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/vitamin-C.php. I don't think you have to take vitamin C supplements in order to be healthy. I think it's best to get nutrients from food. I don't think you have to have fruit in your diet in order to be healthy, but you sure will miss some yummy food.

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We do need vitamin C and many people take supplements but I prefer to get mine through fruits and raw vegetables.

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I eat fruit when I crave it, especially in season, but I am lucky in that I can rely on my cravings like that. I don't struggle with obesity, so I figure the fructose isn't a problem for me. Robb Wolf often talks about his dislike for fruit as a dietary choice, but I often wonder if that's more personal preference than prescription (I mean, it's not a religion, you know?). I've always loved fruit, and bottles of vitamin c pills is what got me through all nighters in high school, so I figure moderate fruit intake is a good idea for my body. (And sometimes even immoderate fruit intake when strawberries and blackberries are in season: yum!) Also, Linus Pauling was very pro vitamin c, and I inherited an L.P. crush from my undergrad chemistry department, so I figure the extra vitamin c is good.

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I had a prof who attended the school Pauling worked at & he got to work for him (research) & I loved hearing about the stories... quite the eccentric! – SuZQ Jan 5 2012 at 0:46
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Develop a taste for raw beef. All raw meat is packed with vit. C, and beef is safe.

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This is totally wrong. – Jay Jan 5 2012 at 2:17
I am not anti-raw beef but "safe" would need to be explained. I wouldn't just chow down any old piece of raw meat. – Nance Jan 5 2012 at 2:43
The less cooked the beef is, the less vit c you need to get from fuit and vegetables. It's the opposite of grains. The more grains you eat, the more vitamin c you need. – Warren D Jan 5 2012 at 9:08

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