Are you a fan of Simply orange juice and wondering if it’s healthy for you? You are not alone!
Simply orange juice is one of the most popular brands of orange juice you’ll find in grocery store refrigerators. It is made with not-from-concentrate juice and is gently pasteurized for safety while preserving taste and nutrition.
It comes in varieties of orange juice, such as Pulp free, Low acid, Calcium & vitamin D, High pulp, Medium pulp with Calcium & Vitamin D, and several other flavors.
And while the juice tastes delicious and is marketed as free from additives and preservatives, is Simply orange juice healthy?
Short answer: Simply orange juice is healthy choice compared to many other juices as it is made without concentrate and has no added sugar. Although, it lacks fiber content, it is high in vitamin C and a good source of calcium, and vitamin D.
Let’s dive deeper into Simply orange juice, including its ingredients, sugar content, and commonly asked questions.
Also read: Is Jumex Healthy? The Truth About This Fruit Nectar
What are the ingredients in Simply orange juice?
The exact ingredient in Simply orange juice may vary depending on the specific flavor.
However, Simply orange juice is made from 100% pure, not-from-concentrate orange juice.
By the way, what is not-from-concentrate juice?
Not-from-concentrate juice(NFC) is a juice that is made directly from fresh fruits without the addition of any water or other ingredients. These types of juices are more nutritious, fresh and flavorful and are typically more expensive than other types of juices.
Beside not-from-concentrate juice, other ingredients that you might find in Simply orange juice flavors includes calcium phosphate & calcium lactate(calcium sources) and vitamin D3.
In addition, Simply orange juice is free from added sugar, artificial additives and preservatives. However, it contains some natural flavors.
How much sugar is in Simply orange juice?
Simply orange juice does not have any added sugar. However, it is naturally high in sugar, with most flavors containing 23g per serving (240ml).
Simply orange juice with mango is the flavor with the most sugar (25g per 240ml).
According to American Heart Association, men should not consume more than 36g of sugar per day, and women should not consume more than 24g.
Drinking just one serving(240ml) of Simply Orange Juice can put both men and women close to or over the daily recommended sugar intake.
Although the sugar in Simply orange juice is not unhealthy or harmful as added sugar in other orange juices, it can still have the same negative effects if consumed in excess.
Furthermore, if compared to other popular juice brands, Simply orange juice contain almost the same sugar content.
Here is a table showing the sugar content of Simply orange juice to other popular orange juice brands:
| Juice brand | Added sugar(g) | Total sugar(g) |
|---|---|---|
| Simply orange juice | 0 | 23 |
| Sunny D (tangy original) | 12 | 14 |
| Minute maid (original) | 0 | 24 |
| Tropicana (original) | 0 | 22 |
| Florida’s natural (original no pulp) | 0 | 24 |
Is Simply orange juice good source of fiber?
Simply Orange Juice is not a good source of fiber, and the majority of its varieties do not contain any fiber. Only the high pulp variant contains 1g of fiber per serving (240 ml).
Generally, oranges are known as a good source of fiber containing 3g of fiber in a medium-sized orange.
However, this fiber gets lost when a whole orange is converted into orange juice because fiber is found in pulp, which is usually removed during the juicing process.
Fiber is an important part of any fruit as it helps you feel satisfied, regular your blood sugar levels and prevents overeating.
But because Simply orange juice lacks fiber content, it makes it difficult not to drink too much, potentially increasing sugar consumption.
Is Simply orange juice high in vitamin C?
Simply orange juice is an excellent source of vitamin C providing 80% to 90% of the daily value.
Although not all Simply orange juice varieties show the amount of vitamin C on the nutrition label, they are all high in vitamin C and are labeled as such.
The three varieties that have listed vitamin C levels on the nutrition label include medium pulp with calcium and vitamin D, pulp free with calcium and vitamin D, and mango.
Is Simply orange juice good source of calcium and vitamin D?
Some varieties of Simply orange juice are fortified with calcium and vitamin D making them a good source of both nutrients. These varieties include pulp free with calcium & vitamin D, and medium pulp with calcium & vitamin D.
Calcium and vitamin D are essential nutrients in any diet. Calcium helps in the formation of bones and teeth, while vitamin D helps in the better absorption of calcium.
Here is the table showing the calcium and vitamin D content of the Simply orange juice varieties.
| Simply orange juice variety | Vitamin D(mg) | Calcium(mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Pulp free | – | 20 |
| Low acid | – | 100 |
| Pulp free with calcium & vitamin D | 2.5 | 250 |
| Medium pulp with calcium & vitamin D | 2.5 | 250 |
| High pulp | – | 20 |
| With mango | – | 20 |
| With pineapple | – | 20 |
Is Simply orange juice good for weight loss?
Simply orange juice is not an ideal drink for weight loss due to it’s high natural sugar content and low fiber. However, you can still drink on a weight loss diet in moderation.
A single serving (240 ml) of Simply Orange Juice contains around 23g of natural sugar, which is too high if you want to lose weight.
In addition, there is no fiber in Simply orange juice to make you feel full. As a result, you might end up drinking too much of it, which might hinder all your weight loss efforts.
If you are on a weight loss diet, it’s better to opt for whole orange than orange juice.
Remember that weight loss doesn’t depend on specific food but on your overall diet and lifestyle. The more calories you burn than you consume, the more you lose weight.
Is Simply orange juice healthier than Soda?
Simply orange juice is indeed healthier than soda in every way. It is made from real orange juice and does not contain artificial flavors & colors, or preservatives.
In addition, it is a good source of vitamin C, calcium and vitamin D with several other nutrients. While on the other hand, Sodas are loaded with sugar with zero nutrition.
Despite this, it’s important to drink Simply orange juice in limit.
Here is a quick nutrition comparison of Simply orange juice to popular sodas like Coca-cola and Pepsi.
| Nutrients | Simply orange juice(pulp free) | Coco cola | Pepsi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 50 | 44 | 43 |
| Carbohydrates(g) | 10.8 | 10.9 | 10.9 |
| Sugar(g) | 9.5 | 10.8 | 10.9 |
| Protein(g) | 0.8 | 0 | 0 |
| Sodium(mg) | 0 | 8.5 | 11 |
| Calcium(mg) | 8.3 | 0 | 0 |
| Potassium(mg) | 187.5 | 0 | 0 |
Does Simply orange juice have caffeine?
Simply orange juice does not have caffeine as it is juice and not an energy drink.
Caffeine is mostly found in energy drinks or drinks marketed as boosting energy levels.
Simply orange juice is not advertised as providing caffeine, and also none of the ingredients have caffeine naturally.
Is Simply orange juice vegan?
Most Simply oranges juice varieties are vegan as they are only made with not-from-concentrate juices.
However, some flavors, such as Calcium & Vitamin D and Medium Pulp with Calcium & Vitamin D, may not be vegan-friendly.
This is because these two flavors contain vitamin D3, which is usually sourced from animals.
Final words
In conclusion, Simply orange juice is a healthy choice compared to many other juice brands.
It is made with not-from-concentrate, does not contain added sugar and is free from artificial additives and preservatives.
Although it lacks fiber, it is high in vitamin C and a good source of calcium and vitamin D.
However, it is important to remember that Simply orange juice still contains a significant amount of natural sugar and should be consumed in moderation.
Found this information helpful? Share it.
Here are a few other posts that might also be helpful for you.
