Eat Navel Oranges as Part of a Healthy Diet

When eaten on a regular basis, fruit and vegetables can reduce the risk of many of the leading causes of death, like heart disease and cancer. They also play a vital role in weight management. But according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most Americans aren’t eating enough of them.

Only about a third of residents eat two or more servings or fresh fruit each day, and even fewer get the veggies they need. In fact, the study found that people are eating even less fruit than they were a generation ago, when the food pyramid was introduced.

Developed by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1992, the pyramid was a practical guide that was supposed to encourage healthy eating habits. Sadly, it doesn’t seem to be working. How can people get more fruits and vegetables into their diets?

Believe it or not, fruit is more challenging. After all, vegetables are much easier to cook with and most meals contain at least one. But people actually have to go out of their way to eat fruit. Also, fruit can be a pain to prepare. With that said, the number one challenge facing fresh fruit these days is that it is losing the snack wars.

Salty snacks like chips, pretzels, and crackers are far more popular than fresh fruit and they are also easier to find. They don’t sell navel oranges in vending machines. Shoppers actually have to go to the supermarket and pick them out. But the news isn’t all bad.

In survey after survey, people say they actually like fruit. Some even go so far as to call themselves fruit lovers. By comparison, fruit has a much better reputation than vegetables, which most people only eat because they cook with them.

A Few Tips

Because most people eat it as a snack, the easiest way to get more fruit into your diet is to take some to the office with you and eat it with lunch or as an afternoon pick me up. Trust us, a bag of greasy chip cannot compare with all the vitamins and minerals in navel oranges. The energy they provide will be more than enough to see you through to supper.

Breakfast is also a great time for fruit. The natural scent of citrus fruits is invigorating. Grapefruit is a meal in itself and slices of bananas go well in most cereals. More serious fruit fanatics often make smoothies out of navel oranges or strawberries. Dried fruits like apricots and raisins have a long shelf life and can be eaten just about anywhere.

Fruit juices are a popular and convenient substitute for fresh fruit, but they are not nearly as healthy. While bestsellers like OJ do contain vitamin C, they lack the dietary fiber, calcium, and beta carotene that only fresh navel oranges can provide.

Taste the Sunshine with Hale Groves

At Hale Groves, we believe the best gifts come from the land, not a factory. For generations, our fruit has been grown slowly under the Florida sun, picked at its peak, and delivered fresh to your door. From sweet Navel Oranges to rare Honeybells, every gift shares the simple joy of real flavor—perfect for holidays, milestones, or everyday moments worth celebrating.

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