President Brian Sandoval | University of Nevada President
President Brian Sandoval | University of Nevada President
100% fruit juice is not equivalent to whole fruit. | El jugo 100% de fruta no es equivalente a la fruta entera.
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Fruit is an important part of a healthy diet, but many people don’t eat the recommended amounts. One way to increase the amount of fruit in your family’s diet is to serve 100% fruit juice. But because 100% fruit juice is not equivalent to whole fruit, experts advise that no more than half of the recommended daily amount of fruit comes from 100% fruit juice. This is even more important for children. Read on to learn more.
What are some reasons to choose 100% fruit juice?
Compared to whole fruit, 100% fruit juice may be more convenient. For example, canned or bottled 100% fruit juice requires no preparation and doesn’t need to be refrigerated until it’s opened. If you have limited storage space or can’t get to the grocery store often, frozen concentrate may be a good option for your family. 100% fruit juice can also be an inexpensive way to add a serving of fruit. Plus, it is far superior to fruit-flavored drinks when it comes to nutrition. Read more about fruit-flavored drinks here.
How do I tell the difference between 100% fruit juice and fruit-flavored drinks?
One way to identify 100% juice is to look at the ingredients list on the label. Only the names of fruit juices and little else should be listed. Some have added ingredients such as water (if made from concentrate), preservatives, natural flavors, vitamins or minerals. Another way is to check the package label for a statement like “100% fruit juice” or “Contains 100% juice”.
The easiest way to identify a fruit-flavored drink is to look at the Nutrition Facts panel on the label. If the product lists any “Added sugars”, it’s a sugary fruit-flavored drink.
Why is it important to limit the amount of 100% fruit juice?
100% fruit juice is not equivalent to whole fruit. Some nutrients, such as fiber, are lost during the juicing process. Fiber is a nutrient our body needs to stay healthy, and most Americans don’t get enough. In addition, 100% fruit juice can cause unhealthy weight gain if consumed in excess and can lead to cavities. Serve kids 100% fruit juice in an open cup - not a straw cup, sippy cup, bottle or sports bottle. This helps protect their teeth.
Daily fruit juice recommendations for children:
- 1-3 years old - no more than 4 ounces
- 4-5 years old - no more than 4-6 ounces
- Older than 7 - no more than 8 ounces
- Fruit juice is not recommended for infants less than one year old.
What are some new ways to serve 100% fruit juice?
You can use 100% fruit juice to make tasty beverages at home. Try out these recipes:
Or, try something different with Fruity Milk. You can also freeze the juice in an ice cube tray and use it to flavor water like in this Tropical Fizz recipe.To learn more about healthy drink choices and their benefits, visit www.rethinkyourdrinknevada.com.
Original source can be found here.
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