Meaningful Mornings with Florida Orange Juice

I try to make our mornings as relaxing as possible around our home, but sometimes we are in a rush to beat the 8:00 A.M. school bell. Our routine starts each morning with me waking up at 6 A.M. and getting myself completely ready before I wake up the little guy at 7. Once he is up, he is dressed and immediately served breakfast. Some of his favorite quick morning breakfasts are cereal, sausage and biscuits, and cereal bars. Although we try to have ourselves ready and out the door at 7:45, there have been a handful of mornings where he is eating a breakfast bar on the go during the ride to school. But it’s on the way to school that we talk about the day ahead, what will be going on at school and after school, and anything else that needs to be said before our day gets started. I cherish these little talks and enjoy this part of our morning so much.

Florida Department of Citrus recently partnered with parenting expert and author, Dr. Michele Borba and nutritionist and author, Elizabeth Ward, to offer simple and healthy morning solutions for starting the day off right.
 
Information about 100 Percent Orange Juice:

Drinking a refreshing glass of naturally, nutrient-rich 100 percent orange juice together each morning as part of a healthy breakfast is one way for you and your family to connect and help you prepare for a great day, every day.

One 8-ounce glass of 100 percent Florida orange juice counts as almost 25 percent of your USDA-recommended daily fruit and vegetable servings, based on a 2,000-calorie diet.

Compared to many other beverages, 100 percent orange juice is a clear nutritional standout. In fact, orange juice is more nutrient dense, or nutrient rich, than many commonly consumed 100 percent fruit juices, such as apple, grape, pineapple and prune.

Nutrition Tips from Elizabeth Ward, M.S., R.D.:

Eating a nutritious breakfast can greatly impact your day and has even been associated with weight loss and weight maintenance, as well as improved nutrient intake. Breakfast eaters tend to have more energy throughout the day and, because they are not as likely to be hungry, they often have an easier time managing their weight than those who skip breakfast. So sit down with your family around the breakfast table or grab something on the go – you’ll help each person get a good start to the day. Look for juices that specifically say “100% Juice” on the information panel and avoid beverages with names such as “cocktail,” “beverage,” “drink” or “-ade.” Such juice concoctions often have added sugars and typically do not provide the natural variety and amount of nutrients found in 100 percent fruit juices such as 100 percent orange juice.

Parenting Tips from Dr. Michele Borba:

A simple way to connect is by designating time in your family’s normal morning routine as “unplugged time” – without turning on the television, computer or video games. Start with just 10 minutes and gradually work your way up to more unplugged mornings.

Instead of rushing out the door, talk to your kids as you pour a glass of nutrient-rich 100 percent orange juice together while you pack a healthy breakfast to go.

Want more? Visit the Florida Orange Juice Facebook Page to download a free “Meaningful Morning Checklist” with tips for making the most of your family’s morning and also check out FloridaJuice.com.