(Family Features) While winter rushes in with brisk breezes and chilly temperatures, staying indoors to avoid the weather shouldn’t mean forgoing healthy habits. One step toward wellness is maintaining nutritional value in meals from morning to night, even when comfort foods call your name.
As a key source of nutrients that supports a healthy lifestyle year-round, especially during cold and flu season, one 8-ounce serving of Florida Orange Juice provides more than 100% of your daily value of vitamin C and is a good source of potassium, folate, and thiamin. Fortified juice also contains 15% of the daily value of vitamin D, which plays an important role in regulating immune response and helps cells fight off bacteria and viruses that enter the body.
Additionally, 100% orange juice is virtually the only dietary source of a unique, powerful phytonutrient (naturally occurring plant compound) called hesperidin, which may also help support a healthy immune system. According to the USDA, the flavonoid hesperidin is highly concentrated in citrus and rarely found in other foods.
“Maintaining a well-balanced diet is one way to help support your immune system in the colder months,” said Dr. Rosa Walsh, scientific research director at the Florida Department of Citrus. “For example, 100% orange juice contains vitamin C, vitamin D (in fortified juice), and phytonutrients like flavonoids and colorful carotenoids, making it a nutritional powerhouse.”
Orange juice is a go-to ingredient for popular non-alcoholic drinks like this Orange Juice Mint Mocktail, a perfect pairing for winter meals.
Visit floridajuice.com to find more recipes for winter wellness.
Orange Juice Mint Mocktail
2 cups Florida Orange Juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup water
ice cubes
1/2 cup carbonated water
2-3 mint leaves
In a pitcher, stir orange juice, lemon juice, and water.
Divide mocktail evenly among ice-filled glasses and top with carbonated water.
Garnish with mint leaves.
Source: Florida Department of Citrus
