Fruit Juice is Healthy, But Read the Label

(NewsUSA) - Americans know that they should eat fresh fruits and vegetables, but busy lifestyles and high prices interfere with healthy plans. Going through a drive-through window takes less time than walking to a farmer's market, buying organic lettuce and then chopping up a salad. Unhealthy foods -; like those that contain high-fructose corn syrup -; cost less than "whole," unprocessed foods.

But fruit contains essential vitamins and minerals, not to mention fiber and antioxidants. People who eat a lot of fruit enjoy numerous health benefits, like increased immunity and healthier digestive systems.

For busy families, fruit juice is an ideal way to enjoy fruit's health benefits in a way that is affordable and easy to consume on-the-go. But not all fruit juices are considered equal. Some products contain added sugar and flavors but little actual fruit. In fact, some fruit punches contain as much sugar as cola does.

To help families make healthy choices, some fruit juice companies are making nutrition labels easier to read. Old Orchard Brands' "Healthy Balance" line of reduced-sugar juice, for example, places nutritional information on the front of its bottles, so shoppers don't have to squint to figure out the facts. The company also makes a line of flavored waters, which contain fruit juice and added vitamins, with vitamin content displayed on the front of the bottle.

Amy Bragagnini, MS, RD, a registered dietician, offers these tips for Americans trying to read fruit juice labels:

1) Check the serving size. Most juices will list an 8-ounce serving size. However, some higher-calorie drinks use 6-ounce servings to compensate for the higher calorie counts.

2) Check the sodium. Most fruit juices are low in sodium, but some vegetable juices contain salt. If you are on a low-sodium diet, you will need to check labels for sodium.

3) Try to find reduced-sugar beverages. It's best to consider those under 50 calories per 8-ounce glass -; anything more, and you'll be in cola territory.

For more information, visit www.HealthyBalance.com.

"Article By: NewsUSA"