Clementine tangerines -- often marketed as "Cuties" -- are a great snack to pop into your purse or briefcase. With a big burst of flavor, these satisfying low-calorie snacks appeal to both adults and kids and are a great way to get vitamin C. They come in season during the fall months and are sold all winter long in grocery stores.
Calories and Fat
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a clementine tangerine has 35 calories and 0.11 g of fat. These numbers suggest that you can eat two or three fruits without doing any damage to your efforts to maintain a healthy weight. A single fruit also has 1.3 g of fiber, which means that this is a filling snack
Protein
LIke other citrus fruits, clementine tangerines are devoid of protein. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that there is absolutely no protein in a single fruit. If you are trying to boost your protein, try pairing clementines with a piece of chicken or some cubes of cheese to make a healthy snack.
Minerals
One clementine has 22 mg of calcium, 0.1 mg of iron, 7 mg of magnesium, 0.1 mg of selenium and 0.04 mg or less of zinc, copper and manganese.
With a single milligram of sodium, clementines have less sodium than almost any other food. With a mere 16 mg of phosphorus and 131 mg of potassium, they can also be included occasionally by kidney patients and others who must restrict their intake of these minerals.
Vitamins
The U.S Department of Agriculture explains that one clementine has 36.1 mg of vitamin C. Although there is no vitamin A, D or K in this fruit and only a scant amount of vitamin E, they do contain 0.064 mg of thiamin, 0.022 mg of riboflavin, 0.471 mg of niacin, 0.112 mg of B-5, 0.056 mg of B-6 and 18 micrograms of folate.
Other Uses
Clementines can be used in desserts and salads, and like many citrus fruits work equally well in both sweet and savory dishes. Peeled and cut-up, they make a tasty addition to jello and provide some color and sweetness to cheesecake. The fruit is a welcome addition to green salads for its acidity and contrasting sweetness. Other ideas include tangerine coleslaw, chicken prepared with juice from the fruit, and tangerine and red onion salad. Fresh clementines can also be used to make ice cream and sorbets.
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