10 Nutritious Orange Foods to Add to Your Diet

by Melissa Chichester

Are you incorporating enough fruits and vegetables into your diet?

Foods with vibrant colors provide a visual nutritional value clue. Orange foods from sweet potatoes to carrots and oranges to pumpkins offer a wide array of beneficial nutrients. 

Here are 10 to consider adding to your diet.

#1 Carrots

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a precursor to Vitamin A, which is essential for vision health, immune function, and skin health.* They also contain fiber, potassium, and vitamin K. Their crunchy texture makes them a satisfying snack and a versatile addition to salads, soups, and stir-fries.

#2. Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes contain Vitamins A and C, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants like beta-carotene. 

Their naturally sweet flavor makes them a delicious ingredient in both savory and sweet dishes, from roasted sweet potato fries to sweet potato pie.

>>Easy Every Time Sweet Potato Fries

#3 Oranges

Oranges are famous for their high Vitamin C content, which supports immune health and collagen production.* They also contain fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. The juicy sweetness of oranges makes them a refreshing snack on their own or a flavorful addition to salads, smoothies, and desserts.

#4 Pumpkin

Pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene, and also provides fiber, potassium, Vitamin C and antioxidants. 

Whether roasted, pureed, or used as a natural sweetener in baked goods, pumpkin adds a deliciously earthy flavor and velvety texture to dishes.

>>Pumpkin Perfection Protein Bars Recipe

#5 Apricots

Apricots are a good source of Vitamins A and C, potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. They also contain phytonutrients. Whether eaten fresh, dried, or incorporated into jams and chutneys, apricots offer a sweet and tangy flavor along with a wealth of nutrients.

#6 Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe is a source of Vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants. It also contains water, making it a hydrating and refreshing fruit. Whether sliced and eaten on its own, blended into smoothies, or added to fruit salads, cantaloupe adds a burst of juicy sweetness to any dish, especially during a summer picnic.

#7 Persimmons

Are you starting to see a trend? Persimmons also contain Vitamins A and C, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. Whether eaten fresh, dried or added to baked goods and salads, persimmons offer a unique flavor profile that is both sweet and slightly tangy

#8 Papaya

Like our other orange foods, papaya also contains Vitamin C and A, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. It also contains an enzyme called papain, which aids in digestion.* Whether enjoyed on its own, blended into smoothies, or added to fruit salsas and salads, papaya adds a tropical sweetness and vibrant color to any dish.

#9 Butternut squash

Butternut squash provides beta-carotene, fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants like Vitamin E. It is a versatile vegetable that can be roasted, pureed into soups, or used as a substitute for pasta in “squash noodles.” It offers a subtly sweet flavor and creamy texture that pairs well with many dishes.

>>Honey Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe

#10 Mangoes

Mangoes contain Vitamin C, Vitamin A, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. They also contain enzymes that may aid in digestion.* Mangoes are often blended into smoothies or added to salads and salsas, loved for their tropical sweetness and vibrant color.

Whether you’re enjoying the sweet crunch of carrots, savoring the creamy texture of sweet potatoes, or indulging in the juicy sweetness of oranges, there are countless ways to incorporate these nutrient-rich foods into your meals. 

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.