Few fruits are as widely beloved and delicious as the strawberry. In fact, the apple is the only fruit more popular than the bright red berry. We all know that strawberries taste great, but did you know that they’re also extremely good for you? Adding more of these powerhouse berries can help keep your immune system in top shape, are great for your bones, aid in weight management and much more!

Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C. A single serving of strawberries contains about half of your daily recommended value of vitamin C. Since humans are unable to produce vitamin C, getting this essential nutrient is crucial. In addition to boosting your immune system, vitamin C is great for wrinkle prevention and skin health.

A single serving of strawberries also contains 2-3 grams of fiber, which is about 12% of your daily value. Fiber is important for digestive health. It also helps slow the absorption of sugars in the blood. This helps keep your body from experiencing a sudden sugar crash.

Concerned about keep your bones in tip top shape? Add more strawberries to your diet! These bright red berries are a great source of manganese, which helps maintain healthy bone structure, calcium absorption, and creates enzymes that help build bone. In addition to manganese, strawberries also contain high levels of potassium and folate. Both of these essential nutrients help form bone mass, which is especially crucial for senior citizens. Potassium is also helpful in keeping your blood pressure regulated.

Best of all, strawberries are low in calories, fat, sodium, and sugar. This makes them a great snack that weighs in at less than 100 calories!

Because strawberries are so delicious and can vary from tart to sweet, you can enjoy them in a variety of ways! Many like to add them to the top of yogurt, oatmeal, ice cream, or cereal. Strawberries are also popular in smoothies.  They’re fantastic in a spinach salad and can be used to make a delicious strawberry vinaigrette.

Check out some great, frugal recipes for strawberries here.

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