California Apricots: A natural choice
for healthy living

Don’t be fooled.  Although small in size and delicate in nature, California apricots pack a powerful nutritional punch.

An excellent source of beta-carotene (Vitamin A), California apricots also provide Vitamin C, iron, potassium, and fiber among other nutrients.  Plus, California apricots are versatile and mildly sweet, making them a smart choice for adding important vitamins and extra flavor to a healthy diet.

In the Nutrition & Health section, you’ll find useful information on California apricots’ role as a strong ally for healthy living.  Nutrition labels for various apricot products are also provided.

California Apricots: A Fruit with Fighting Power
Beta-Carotene
Beta-carotene, a member of the anti-oxidant family, is believed to play a critical role in fighting disease.  California apricots are a premium source of beta-carotene with just three fresh apricots containing about 30 percent of the recommended daily amount.

Vitamin A
The beta-carotene in apricots is converted to Vitamin A in the body.  This nutrient helps protect the eyes and keep the skin, hair, gums and various glands healthy.  It also helps build bones and teeth.  Plus, research shows that Vitamin A helps to fight infection by maintaining strong immunity.  For this reason, researchers are looking to apricots as a valuable source of beta-carotene’s healing power.  Note: beta-carotene is often called Vitamin A on food labels.

A Strong Anti-Oxidant Team
The unique mix of compounds found in apricots also makes this fruit a good choice for helping to fight heart disease. Along with beta-carotene, apricots contain the other powerful anti-oxidants, Vitamin C and lycopene. Combined, these compounds help protect against cancer, heart disease and stroke.

Getting Five-A-Day
Eating five servings of fruit and vegetables each day plays an important role in healthy living.  The compounds found in food work together to provide the best benefit for your body.  As such, California apricots are a solid choice for keeping healthy and adding variety to the five-a-day quota.



Don’t Skip the Canned Foods Aisle
When shopping for health, canned apricots are a smart choice for nutrition, convenience and taste.

Studies confirm that canned foods can play an important role in achieving the requirement of eating five fruit and vegetable servings a day.  Results of the University of Illinois study confirm that canned fruits and vegetables (including apricots) are nutritionally comparable to their fresh and frozen counterparts.  In a follow-up study, the University of Massachusetts found that recipes using canned ingredients are comparable in nutritional value and taste appeal to those made with fresh or frozen items.

The Convenience of Canned Apricots
As nutrition plays an ever-increasing role in how we choose what foods we eat, the question becomes how to incorporate healthy foods into a busy lifestyle.  Canned apricots are a simple solution.  They’re readily available year-round, store easily and add a boost of flavor, color and nutrients to meals or snacks.

Check out the Selecting and Using Apricots section for information on how California apricots are canned to retain the highest level of nutrients.  You’ll also find tips for using puréed apricots as a fat substitute.



Positive Eating: Small Steps for Big Benefit
The secret to creating lifelong healthy eating habits is to find small ways to incorporate nutrient-rich foods into your diet.  With a focus on positive eating, emphasis is placed on enjoying the foods that are good for you, not worrying about sacrificing what’s not.

Keeping this in mind, here are some small ways that California apricots can enhance your diet by adding flavor and nutrients. More information can be found in our Recipe Box.

• Power up in the morning!  Add canned apricots to oatmeal, cottage cheese or yogurt.  Place apricot halves on pancakes or waffles. The added sweetness will be a welcome addition.
• Craving a cool treat?  Check out our Amazingly Easy Apricot Sorbet.
• For a quick smoothie, blend a can of apricots with vanilla yogurt or ice cream. For added flavor, add 2 to 3 drops of vanilla or almond extract.
• Chill canned apricot halves in the refrigerator for a refreshing snack.

Sources: American Cancer Society Guidelines for Nutrition and Cancer Prevention; Food and You, Sharon Faelten, et al; New Foods for Healing, Selene Yeager and editors of Prevention Health Books.