Benefits of 100% Natural Florida Orange Juice

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Florida Orange Juice for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Just recently my little one asked me if I would buy her some orange juice to have around in the morning for her breakfast. I smiled to myself thinking “how great is it that she is asking me to buy juice from an orange instead of candy or junk food!”  She is my little citrus lover, so her request didn’t surprise me.  She has also been waking up with a dry throat due to what I hope is allergies and not a cold, and said that orange juice really helps soothe it.

Makes sense to  me.  I know orange juice is full of vitamin C, so it would be the perfect thing to give to her to boost the immune system.

Here are some health facts about Florida Orange Juice according to Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD: 

~One 8‐ounce serving of 100 percent orange juice is a good source of potassium and folate and an excellent source of vitamin C. These are three important nutrients that are under consumed in the United States, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

~One serving of 100 percent orange juice is more nutrient dense than many commonly-consumed 100 percent fruit juices. A refreshing glass of 100 percent orange juice has no added sugars or artificial sweeteners, which may be found in many fruit juice cocktails and sports drinks.

~A key recommendation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is to increase fruit intake. One 8-ounce glass of 100 percent orange juice provides half of the USDA-recommended daily fruit intake for most adults, based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

Nutrition expert Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD also has some great healthy tips:

Jumpstart your morning with a nutritious meal that includes protein, fruit and energizing nutrient-dense carbs.

~Think you don’t have time for a complete breakfast? Blend your favorite fruit with 100 percent Florida orange juice and low-fat yogurt for a convenient, on-the-go smoothie.

~Want to jazz up your weekend breakfast? Substitute 100 percent Florida orange juice for water in your pancake batter to give your meal a zesty, new taste.

When looking for a snack, think outside the box before trying to satisfy your cravings from roadside convenience stores or airport kiosks.

~Plan ahead and take a cooler with portable, smart snacks that fit your on-the-go lifestyle like nuts, hummus with veggies, granola bars and 8-ounce cartons of 100 percent orange juice that will help give you the energy and nutrients you need to get through your travel day.

Love those tips. One of my favorite things to do with orange juice is to simply pour some into small paper cups, then freeze. Little ones love eating this ‘orange slushy’ with a spoon! So refreshing on a hot day.

Another way I love to use orange juice is in Chilled Melon & Citrus Soup with Kiwi Salsa. This is such an easy & healthful recipe, and the presentation is so pretty! I poured leftover soup into popsicle molds and froze it for Melon & Citrus Popsicles.

Chilled Melon & Citrus Soup with Kiwi Salsa

Serves 6

1/2 cup diced, cantaloupe (or watermelon)

1 kiwi, peeled and diced

2 good-sized mint leaves, chopped (optional)

1 medium sized ripe cantaloupe, peeled, seeded and chopped (about 3 cups)

6 ounces plain dairy or soy yogurt

6 ounces peach or vanilla dairy or soy yogurt

1/2 cup 100 % Florida Orange Juice

11/2 tsp agave nectar or honey

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1. In a small glass bowl, combine the diced melon, kiwi and mint.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

2. In a blender, blend half of the cantaloupe, half the yogurts, and 1/4 cup of the orange juice on medium speed until very smooth.  Transfer to a plastic or glass container.  Repeat with the remaining half of these ingredients.

3. Whisk in the agave nectar and salt until all soup is well mixed.  Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.  Serve garnished with the Kiwi salsa.

If you would like more creative ways to incorporate orange juice into your diet, make sure you follow Florida Orange Juice on Facebook and Florida Orange Juice on Pinterest.