Are you getting enough fruits and vegetables in your diet?

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If you're like most Americans, the answer is: no. In fact, roughly 70%
of Americans aren't meeting the daily recommendations. 100% fruit
juices are a convenient way for adults and children to help meet the
recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Just one 4-ounce
glass of 100% juice equals a serving of fruit! According to MyPlate:
"Any fruit or 100% fruit juice counts as part of the fruit group.
Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole,
cut-up, or pureed."
Some Facts About 100% Fruit Juice
*. There are no added sugars in 100% juice - just the natural sugars
found in whole fruit.
*. 100% juices are nutritious naturally, or when fortified with
nutrients like vitamin C, calcium and vitamin D.
*. While the calorie contentcan vary slightly from juice to juice,
most 100%fruit juices have only 60-80 calories per 4-ounce portion.
*. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consumption of
several cups of fruits and vegetables per day, and acknowledge the
role that 100% juice can play as part of the fruit allowance.
*. 100% juice is considered a "nutrient dense" beverage - per calorie,
it packs more nutritional value than other beverage choices.
*. 100% juices contain naturally-occurring phytonutrients - compounds
found in fruits, vegetables and other plants that researchers believe
have disease-preventative anddisease fighting properties.
*. According to the latest consumption data collected by the US
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). the majority of
America's children and teens are drinking 100% fruit juices in amounts
recommended by health professionals.
Looking Beyond Calories
Because nutrition is more than just calories, it's important to look
at the whole picture when assessing the value of a food or beverage.
100% fruit juices are a source of key nutrients like folate, vitamin C
and potassium. In fact, the 2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee
noted that levels of these essential nutrients are often higher in
certain 100% fruit juicesthan in their whole fruit counterparts.
While many of juices' nutritional benefits are readily displayed on
the Nutrition Facts Panel, all juices provide value beyond what is
visible on the label. 100% juice is an ample source of phytonutrients
- compounds in fruits, vegetables and other plants that have
disease-preventative and disease-fighting potential. Although this
benefit is not listed on the label, there is strong support for the
role fruits and vegetables play in reducing disease risk.
Calcium-fortified juices canprovide an excellent source of calcium in
the diet, particularly for those who are lactose-intolerant.Some
juices are now fortified with vitamin D as well, another key nutrient
for bone health thanks to its role in helping the bodyabsorb calcium.
In addition, research shows that drinking 100% fruit juice is
associated with a more nutritious dietoverall. Studies suggest that
appropriate consumption of 100% juice is linked to an overallhealthier
eating pattern, including reduced intake of total dietary fat,
saturated fat and added sugars. In addition, drinking 100% juice is
associated with increased consumption of whole fruit and is not linked
to decreased milk consumption in children.
More about phytochemicals
Called PHYTOCHEMICALS or PHYTONUTRIENTS, these natural active
compounds are found in plant foods, including fruits and vegetables
and their juices.Phytochemicals are naturalbioactive compounds that
work with other plant nutrients and dietary fiber to help protect
against disease and promote goodhealth.
Pronounced "fight-o-chemicals" (or "fight-o-nutrients"), scientists
have identified thousands of different types of compounds, which
protect the body in a myriad of ways. Most consumers are familiar with
the role that many phtochemicals play as antioxidants, protectingthe
body's cells and DNA from damage.
Names such as lycopene, resveratrol, lutein, and quercetin are
starting to become more and more familiar to consumers as research
continues to identify the beneficial properties of these
phytochemicals. Although these compounds are not listed on the
Nutrition Facts panel of any fruit, vegetable or juice, Mother Nature
has put them therefor good reason.
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