Do Cutie oranges have carbs?

Quick Answer

Cuties oranges, also known as clementines, are a low-carb fruit that contain natural sugars and fiber. One medium Cutie orange has 9 grams of carbs, with 7 grams coming from sugar and 2 grams from fiber. So the net carbs in a Cutie orange is approximately 7 grams. While Cuties are not completely carb-free, they can fit into a low-carb or keto diet when eaten in moderation. Their sweet taste and portable size make them a handy low-carb snack.

Cutie Orange Carb Content

The total carb content in one medium Cutie orange is:

  • Total carbohydrates: 9 grams
  • Sugars: 7 grams
  • Fiber: 2 grams
  • Net carbs: 7 grams (Total carbs – Fiber = Net carbs)

So in a single 60-70 gram Cutie orange, there are 9 grams of total carbs. Out of those 9 grams of carbs, 7 grams come from natural sugars like sucrose, glucose, and fructose. The other 2 grams come from dietary fiber.

To calculate net carbs, you subtract the grams of fiber from the total carbs. So the net carbs in a medium Cutie is 9 – 2 = 7 grams.

The small amount of fiber in Cuties has health benefits and slows down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. But when counting carbs for low-carb diets like keto, you can subtract fiber to calculate net carbs, since fiber does not spike blood sugar.

This carb content is for a medium-sized Cutie, around 2.5 inches (60-70g). Larger Cuties will have slightly more carbs.

Cutie Orange Macronutrients

Here is the full nutritional profile of carbs, fiber, sugars, protein, and fat in one medium 2.5 inch (60-70g) Cutie orange:

Nutrient Amount
Total carbs 9g
Fiber 2g
Sugars 7g
Protein 1g
Fat 0g
Water 86g

As you can see, Cuties are made up of mostly water and contain minimal fat and protein. The majority of their carb content comes from natural occurring sugars.

Cutie Orange Carbs vs. Other Fruits

Cuties are lower in net carbs than most other fruits. Here is a comparison of the net carbs in Cuties versus other common fruits:

Fruit Serving Size Net Carbs
Cutie oranges 1 medium orange (60-70g) 7 grams
Apple 1 medium (182g) 19 grams
Banana 1 medium (118g) 23 grams
Blueberries 1 cup (148g) 11 grams
Strawberries 1 cup (152g) 6 grams
Raspberries 1 cup (123g) 4 grams

As this comparison shows, Cuties are one of the lowest-carb fruits you can eat. They contain about 7 grams of net carbs per fruit, while most other fresh fruits contain 15-25 grams of net carbs per average serving.

Strawberries and raspberries are comparable low-carb fruits with around 5-6 net grams carbs per serving. But Cuties are a bit more portable as an easy grab-and-go snack.

Overall, Cuties can be considered a keto-friendly food since they supply under 10 grams of net carbs per fruit.

Benefits of Cuties Oranges

Here are some of the top health benefits that make Cuties a healthy low-carb fruit choice:

Low in Calories

Each Cutie orange only contains about 40-50 calories. This makes them a low-calorie food that can help with weight management or weight loss, especially when swapped for high-carb junk foods.

High in Vitamin C

Cuties are an excellent source of immune-boosting vitamin C. One medium orange contains 45% of the RDI for vitamin C. Getting enough vitamin C helps fight infection, heal wounds, and absorb iron.

Good Source of Fiber

With 2 grams of fiber per fruit, Cuties can help improve digestion and heart health. The fiber in the orange flesh can also help slow the absorption of sugars into your bloodstream.

Hydrating

The high water content in Cuties makes them a hydrating low-carb snack. The juice provides fluids and electrolytes.

Portable and Easy to Peel

Unlike oranges, Cuties are very easy to peel. Their small size and easy-to-peel skin makes them portable for tossing in your bag for a quick snack.

Contain Antioxidants

As a citrus fruit, Cuties contain antioxidant compounds like flavonoids, carotenoids, and vitamin C. These function as antioxidants in your body to counteract oxidative stress and inflammation.

Are Cuties Keto-Friendly?

Cuties can fit into a ketogenic diet when eaten in moderation. The keto diet limits net carbs to 20-50 grams per day. With around 7 grams of net carbs each, Cuties can be incorporated as an occasional low-carb fruit option.

Some people prefer to avoid fruit altogether on keto, while others find that eating berries and citrus fruits in smaller portions helps satisfy sweet cravings. Monitoring your individual carb tolerance is key.

As a good guideline, 1-2 Cuties could be enjoyed on a keto diet while remaining in ketosis. Going overboard and eating 5-10 Cuties in one sitting could potentially knock you out of ketosis. Moderation is key.

Here are some tips for fitting Cuties into your keto diet:

– Limit to 1-2 Cuties at a time as a snack
– Pair Cuties with low-carb nuts, cheese, or nut butter
– Enjoy Cuties post-workout when carb tolerance is higher
– Substitute Cuties for high-carb fruits like bananas or apples

With just a little carb-counting and portion control, Cuties can be welcomed as an occasional low-carb treat in a well-formulated keto diet.

Cuties for a Low Carb Diet

On lower carb diets like the South Beach diet or a basic low-carb diet aiming for under 100 grams of carbs per day, Cuties can readily be included as part of your daily fruit intake.

A few Cutie oranges throughout the day would supply 20-30 grams of total carbs, leaving you room for plenty of other low-carb foods like non-starchy veggies, eggs, meat, healthy fats, dairy, nuts and seeds.

Since Cuties are lower in sugar than other fruits, they have a less pronounced impact on blood sugar levels. This makes them a smart fruit choice for people with diabetes or metabolic syndrome looking to control carbs and sugars.

As with any fruit, portion control is still recommended even on less restrictive lower carb diets. Stick with 1-2 Cuties at a time and avoid going overboard. But you don’t need to restrict or completely eliminate Cuties if following a healthy low-carb diet with around 100 grams of carbs per day.

Nutrition Facts

Here are the detailed nutrition facts for 1 medium Cutie orange (60-70g):

Nutrient Amount % Daily Value
Calories 45 2%
Total Fat 0g 0%
Sodium 0mg 0%
Potassium 166mg 5%
Total Carbs 9g 3%
Fiber 2g 6%
Sugar 7g
Protein 1g 2%
Vitamin C 45mg 50%
Calcium 52mg 4%
Iron 0.15mg 2%

Key nutrients provided by Cuties include vitamin C, potassium, fiber and small amounts of calcium and iron. There are 45 calories per fruit, mostly from natural sugars.

Healthiest Ways to Enjoy Cuties

To get the most nutrition and fiber from your Cuties, enjoy them on their own instead of juicing them. You can also include the white pith, which is rich in beneficial pectin fiber.

Here are some healthy ways to enjoy Cuties as part of a low-carb lifestyle:

– Pack Cuties in your lunch, bag or for on-the-go snacks
– Enjoy Cuties alongside raw nuts or seeds for more nutrition
– Make a Cutie salad with spinach, feta, and lemon vinaigrette
– Add Cutie segments to plain Greek yogurt with cinnamon
– Mix Cutie sections into cottage cheese or ricotta
– Include Cuties in fruit salad or smoothie bowls
– Bake or broil Cuties and sprinkle with cinnamon

Cuties pair well with salty cheeses, nuts, dark chocolate, and spices like cinnamon or ginger. Be creative and combine Cuties with healthy low-carb foods for nutritious snacks or mini-meals.

Potential Downsides of Cuties

Cuties are generally considered a healthy fruit choice, but there are a few potential downsides to consider:

– High in natural sugars. The 7 grams of sugar per fruit can be detrimental for those with diabetes or metabolic syndrome.
– Can cause GI upset if eaten in excess. Some people experience bloating or diarrhea when overdoing citrus fruits.
– Not as nutrient-dense as berries. Berries contain more antioxidants with fewer grams of sugar per serving.
– Can dislodge dental work. The acidic nature of citrus may temporarily weaken tooth enamel.
– Pesticide residue is a concern. Cuties are on the “Clean 15” list of low-pesticide produce, but not pesticide-free.

As with any fruit, it’s smart to practice portion control and enjoy Cuties in moderation as part of an overall healthy low-carb diet. Those with diabetes or digestive issues may need to be more mindful of serving sizes.

The Bottom Line

Cuties are a fresh, sweet, and portable type of mandarin orange. A medium 60-70 gram Cutie contains 9 grams of total carbs with 7 grams of sugar and 2 grams of fiber. So the net carbs in a Cutie orange comes out to about 7 grams.

This makes Cuties one of the lowest-carb fruits you can choose. While not completely carb- or sugar-free, Cuties can be incorporated into a low-carb, keto, diabetic, or weight loss diet when eaten in moderation. Stick with 1-2 Cuties at a time and pair them with protein or healthy fats for balanced nutrition and blood sugar control.

Enjoy the sweet convenience of Cuties as a handy low-carb snack – but practice portion control and do not overindulge in these petite, peelable oranges if following a ketogenic diet. Ultimately Cuties provide an easy way to get refreshing vitamin C and hydration from fruit without a large carb load.

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