This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Florida Orange Juice for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
I am not a morning person. Bright sunlight, birds chirping, alarm clock alarming…I'd rather eat a dirty sweat sock than wake up in the morning. Plus, I'm not a coffee drinker, so I don't even get a caffeine boost to help me start my day! What I have found, though, is that if I take enough time to eat a good, balanced breakfast each morning, my day starts smoother and I'm able to wake up faster and be more alert! I almost always drink a glass of orange juice in the morning. I like it because it's not overly sweet so it's great for mornings, and I can usually get 100% pure Florida Orange Juice, which is much better than many juices which are only a small percent actual juice.
I wasn't aware of how good orange juice actually is for you. I usually drink it because it tastes good and goes well with breakfast. What I learned is that one 8-ounce serving of 100% orange juice is full of nutrients that are under consumed and that we all need more of, including potassium, folate, and vitamin C. It has no added sugars or artificial sweeteners so it's more nutrient dense than almost any other of the commonly consumed fruit juices, and since the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that we increase our fruit intake, just one 8-ounce glass provides most adults with half of their recommended daily fruit intake. How great is that? One little glass of yummy orange juice in the morning and you're already half done with your recommended fruit requirements for the day! It couldn't be more simple to maintain a balanced diet!
You should start incorporating more all natural OJ in your diet too! If you want to stay healthy, nutrition experts have some tips for eating healthy and balanced meals. If you're in a hurry and usually skip breakfast because you think you don't have time, just toss some of your favorite fruit in the blender along with ice, OJ, and yogurt and you have a healthy smoothie to take on the go! Even better, use frozen fruits (which are actually better for you since the nutrients are locked in because the fruit is frozen at the peak of freshness) and then you can omit the ice completely. If you're going a little more fancy, you can always substitute orange juice for the water required in pancake or waffle batter for a more nutritious and yummy variation! For healthy snacks, make sure you always have 8-ounce portions of OJ available in a cooler along with easy portable snacks liken nuts, granola bars, or veggies. For meals like dinner, protein is an essential part of a daily diet, and with summer coming up, what better way to get that protein than by grilling? To keep it healthy, choose leaner cuts of beef, pork, or poultry and pair them with high-fiber fruit, whole grains, vegetables and healthy fats to really get the most out of your meal. Plus, add orange juice (and even some orange zest for that extra orange flavor) to your marinade for a zesty, healthy way to flavor your meat!
Follow 100% Florida Orange Juice on Facebook and Florida Orange Juice on Pinterest to keep up with news, recipes and other orange juice happenings!
~ Orange Juice for a Healthier Life,
Stacy
