Americans who blame winter cold for lack of energy may simply be eating the wrong foods
People can boost their mood and beat the winter blues by choosing in-season fruit that packs a healthy punch
BARTOW, Fla., Feb. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- New research from the Florida Department of Citrus1 reveals that more than 60% of people in the United States blame rain and the cold winter weather for making them feel poorly and unproductive during winter. The coldest, wettest season takes its toll on many, with 41% percent of Americans reporting they feel less healthy, 50% less energetic, 42% less productive and 54% more vulnerable to colds during the winter.
Furthermore, the research also shows that many people aren't getting enough of the right foods to help stave off feelings of sluggishness and fatigue. In fact, only 29% of people eat their recommended daily allowance of fruit in the winter, with people between the ages of 35 and 54 the least likely to consume the recommended daily intake.
As a result of the research findings, people are being encouraged to fight winter fatigue by adding sunshine into their diets. In-season fruit such as Florida grapefruit are the perfect food to beat winter blues, packed with vitamins and incredibly versatile, making them easy to incorporate at breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack time.
"While the cold and the wet outside can make summer feel like a distant memory, it's easy to add a little sunshine into your life with bright, fresh and in-season fruit," says Michael Schadler, Director of International Marketing at the Florida Department of Citrus. "In fact, January to March is the peak season for Florida grapefruit, when it's at its sweetest and juiciest."
Florida grapefruit has a difference you can taste. Much of Florida's grapefruit is grown on the east coast of Florida, home to a geologic formation composed of sand and coquina limestone called the Anastasia Formation. The formation's positioning just below ground allows the root system of citrus trees to tap into essential minerals and nutrients during the growing cycle. Florida's unique fertile soil and subtropical climate provide ideal growing conditions for this versatile fruit. Not only does Florida grapefruit taste delicious, but one-half contains at least 100 percent of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C, making it the perfect winter fruit to boost health and vitality.
About the Florida Department of Citrus
The Florida Department of Citrus is an executive agency of Florida government charged with the marketing, research and regulation of the Florida citrus industry. Its activities are funded by a tax paid by growers on each box of citrus that moves through commercial channels. The industry employs nearly 76,000 people, provides an annual economic impact close to $9 billion to the state and contributes hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues that help support Florida's schools, roads and health care services. For more information about the Florida Department of Citrus, please visit http://floridajuice.com/.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Michael Schadler – Florida Department of Citrus
[email protected]
863.537.3962
Jenny Blonn - GOLIN
[email protected]
312.729.4248
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SOURCE Florida Department of Citrus
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