These “cute” little relatives to the tangerine are a great healthy snack for both kids and adults to enjoy throughout the day. Clementine mandarins are typically in season from November through January, and are fondly referred to as the “Christmas Orange” There close relative the W. Murcott mandarin is typically in season from February through April (California CUTIES). Either variety of mandarin orange is a tiny, sweet, juicy bite of heavenly wellness!

1) Vitamin C : according to the United States Department of Agriculture, consuming two clementines fulfills the daily recommendation for vitamin C. Vitamin C supports the immune system and assists the body in forming collagen in the muscles, bones and cartilage, as well as  they also contain ascorbic acid and beta carotene, which promote healthy vision and minimize age-related vision loss.

2) Easy to Peel : If you are anything like me, the idea of eating an orange or a citrus fruit that required peeling just seemed too messy to deal with and time consuming. But clementines are small and seedless with thin, easy to peel skin making them a great on the go snack. A great sweet healthy alternative to snack foods such as chips, cookies, snack bars, etc. Making them also a great snack for children!

3) Stress Reduction: Just the site of these cute little guys will make you smile, but there is more to them than meets the eye that can enhance your mood. The scent of a sweet clementine has been found to cause the brain to release serotonin, a neurotransmitter that effects the mood. It helps regulate blood pressure, sleep, and body temperature as well as help to alleviate stress, anxiety, and boost your mood.

4) Always in Season:  Clementines are grown domestically in Florida and California, with a growing season which extends from November until May. Clementines are readily available throughout the year due to supermarkets importing them from other countries. Spain: November until February. South Africa: June until August, and Chile : August until October! You can never miss a day without these sweet cute little guys!

5) Citric Acid: Clementines contain citric acid,  antibacterial agent. Clementine juice can be used topically to eliminate the bacteria that causes pimples. And we know from the Vitamin C content that they are great for stimulating collagen production in the skin; thus, minimizing fine lines and improving skin’s texture. Happy skin, happy immune system! Clementines are a win-win fruit! 

There are so many more nutritional benefits to consuming clementines! They are an excellent source of potassium and fiber which is good for digestive health. They contain a host of antioxidants to protect the body from the harmful effects of free radicals. They also help with weight management, just one of these cute little guys contains only about 35 to 40 calories and are sweet and filling enough to satisfy hunger without adding excess calories that are difficult for your body to metabolize and burn, essentially they are what I like to call “clean fuel”!

Enjoy a clementine plain or peel one and add it to a fresh fruit salad. Chop fresh clementines into bite-sized pieces and stir them into a bowl of oatmeal or a carton of low-fat plain yogurt, however you choose to consume them, just be sure to “peel the love” !