Add these foods to your meals, recipes and routine for a vitamin C boost

Sure you can take vitamin C in pill or powdered form, but why not go straight to the source with fresh fruits and veggies?

Sharon Brown, a clinical nutritionist and founder of Bonafide Provisions, spoke to "Good Morning America" about what makes vitamin C so essential in a healthy diet.

"Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is critical for supporting the immune system. It helps our body absorb iron and make collagen -- the foundation of all connective tissue, including blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, bone, and skin," Brown explained. "While you can get vitamin C from supplements and powders, the human body evolved getting its nutrients from food, so it’s always best to try and meet your vitamin requirements through food first."

Some of her favorite vitamin C-rich foods include broccoli, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, kale, kiwis, lemons and strawberries.

Because vitamin C helps build healthy tissue, the body can more easily "resist the entry of bacteria and viruses," Steph Grasso, a Virginia-based registered dietitian who has nearly 2 million followers on TikTok, shared with "GMA."

Other produce rich in vitamin C includes mango, citrus, tomatoes, dark leafy greens and even potatoes.