How Many Calories Are In An Orange?

So how many calories are in an orange? According to the Sunkist, USDA, and CDC sites, a medium-sized orange has a calorie count of 60-75. Oranges are the primary source of Vitamin C, for people in the United States. It is common knowledge that our diets should contain a mix of different fruits and vegetables, with the low orange calories and popular taste oranges make a great daily addition to our diets.  All calories should be taken into account especially if you are on a diet so it is very important to find out how many calories are in the foods we consume.

Popular with children and adults alike, they can be easily peeled and eaten in sections. Most find the smell of orange pleasant, thus combined with the ease of portability it is one of the most popular of brown bag fruits. When packing a meal for on-the-go, we try to balance taste and nutrition. In order to provide the nutrition desired, the lunch must be tasty in order to be consumed, this is especially true for children. Because the orange calories are so low, whether used strictly as sections of fruit or sliced with some vegetables and/or protein in a pita or salad, one will not find themselves worrying about ‘how many calories are in an orange?’

Calories in an orange

Oranges add a clean and refreshing aspect to food and drink. Citrus sorbets are often are used to ‘cleanse the palate’ between meals. Sliced orange is a perfect fruit for an edible garnish on a plate, in a beverage, or baked with fish or poultry. While the peel is bitter, the orange part of the peel can be grated to add a hint of orange essence to baked goods, a frosting or a salad dressing. Adding a few tablespoons of juice can help boost the nutritional value and orange taste in many foods. Like other members of the citrus family, many people enjoy the addition of a slice or a peeled section of orange to water, whether sparkling or not.

Vitamin C is one of the water soluble vitamins that must be replenished regularly, the body cannot store it. It is one of the many anti-oxidants that help prevent some forms of cancer, aids in the slowing of aging process, is used by the body in the healing of scars, and helps to maintain and repair bones, teeth, and cartilage.
While most people know that oranges are a phenomenal source of Vitamin C, many may not know they are a good source of fiber (13% of daily value), eaten as fruit, not juiced. Fiber helps slow the rate of sugar absorption into the bloodstream, keeping your blood sugar levels from rising too quickly. This slowing of sugar absorption prevents you from feeling hungry. At the same time fiber helps food to move through to your intestines more quickly, providing a feeling of being full another aid in controlling caloric intake.  Finally, fiber aids in keeping one regular, preventing constipation.

Oranges provide (10%) of thiamine or Vitamin B1, another water soluble vitamin which is not stored by the body. It is important in aiding the conversion of carbohydrates to energy. Without thiamine, the body does not efficiently convert carbohydrates to energy, instead storing them as fat.

Another B Vitamin found in oranges is folate or Vitamin B9, (10%). This Vitamin is vitally important for women who are planning to become or are pregnant. Like other B vitamins it is found in prenatal vitamin supplements, (then called, folic acid). It is used for rapid skin and cell development and helps to make DNA and RNA.

The following Minerals are found in significant amounts in oranges are: Potassium (7%), which helps the body maintain its water balance. Calcium (6%), which is used to maintain strong bones and teeth. Other minerals and vitamins present in oranges, but providing 4% or less of daily percentages are: Vitamin A, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Pantothenic Acid, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Selenium, Copper, and Manganese.

The opening question of this entry was, “So how many calories are in an orange?” After considering the taste, smell, versatility of the orange and given the fact that the calories are low makes them a  great addition to many diets. Alas, I say, “All those benefits and only 65 calories? Yes!”

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Calories In Orange Juice

There are 112 calories in a single cup of freshly squeezed orange juice. Calories in orange juice generally stay around this same number regardless of whether it is reconstituted with water or strictly from concentrate. In fact, concentrate forms tend to have two less calories. This should not be confused with orange juice drinks that tend to be higher in calories, 134, since they contain sweeteners. Drinking unsweetened orange juice reduces the number to 105, but the fluctuation of a few calories would not greatly impact one’s diet as long as orange juice is consumed in reasonable daily portions.

calories in orange juiceThe calories in orange juice are mostly derived from fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats comprise the majority of orange juice’s fat content, but that still only accounts for less than four percent. The natural sugars in orange juice, as with most fruit juices, are responsible for the majority of the drink’s calories. Ninety percent of the calories in orange juice come from the sugar content. Orange drinks eliminate the fat content but increase the sugar content, which increases the overall calorie content. It is important to remember that the fats found in fresh squeezed orange juice are actually the healthy fats a body needs. Legitimate claims by orange drink manufacturers that state their products are fat free is true but there is no actual health benefit gained by eliminating orange juice’s natural fat content.

The protein content of fresh squeezed orange juice is extremely low at about one percent of its total calories. There are other trace ingredients such as sodium and potassium that do not factor into the overall calorie content. Orange juice is most noted for its high Vitamin C content. A single glass of orange juice fulfills daily recommended Vitamin C requirements for healthy living, and at no cost in calories. Vitamins do not have calories because the body does not absorb them in the same way it does other nutrients.

The number of calories in orange juice compared to drinks like black coffee but the nutrient value can make it worth the additional calories.

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Calories In An Orange Dot Org

Welcome To Calories In An Orange Dot Org Coming Soon: Info about how many calories are in an orange and other nutritional facts.

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