Honey Tangerine Nutrition

The honey tangerine is a hybrid fruit, a cross between a tangerine and a sweet orange, according to Citrus.com. You may also know this fruit as a Murcott orange or a tangor. Honey tangerines, only grown in Florida between January and April, developed out of experimenting by Charles Murcott Smith, for whom the sweet and nutritious fruit is named. This highly perishable fruit requires you to eat them quickly or risk spoilage.

Calories and Fat

One medium-sized honey tangerine -- one fruit averages 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter -- contains 50 calories, according to MyFitnessPal. This low-calorie fruit can serve as part of a healthy snack. The Diet Channel notes that the ideal calories for a snack ranges from 100 to 200 calories, so pairing a honey tangerine with a handful of nutritious nuts can give you a quick energy boost. In addition to providing few calories, honey tangerines contain zero g of fat.

Protein and Carbohydrates

A 1-fruit serving of honey tangerine contains 10 g of carbohydrates, a macronutrient vital for your energy needs. Carbohydrates break down into glucose, and your body utilizes this glucose as fuel. Be sure to include at least 130 g of carbohydrates in your meal plan each day to help keep your body functioning well. The Institute of Medicine suggests consuming 46 to 56 g of protein, as well. Since one honey tangerine contains just 1 g of protein, you will need add protein-rich foods in the remainder of your meals to meet nutritional goals.

Fiber

Eating a honey tangerine contributes to fiber you require each day for optimal health. One tangerine provides 2 g of fiber -- not enough to completely meet needs, so be sure to include fiber-rich foods in your daily meal plan. Ideally, the foods you eat will contain 25 to 38 g of dietary fiber every day. Fiber plays a critical role in your digestion and waste elimination processes. Including enough fiber in your diet may help reduce your risk of developing hemorrhoids and constipation, and may also reduce your chances of getting diabetes, colorectal cancer and heart disease. It also keeps your stomach feeling full, which may help you lose weight. Note that introducing too much fiber into your diet at once may result in flatulence, cramping and bloating.

Vitamins and Minerals

Incorporating honey tangerines into your diet provides you with 4 percent of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C. This vitamin, also known as ascorbic acid, acts as an antioxidant, protecting your cells from free radical damage. Long term free radical exposure may cause aging, making honey tangerines a good choice to fight the effects of aging on your skin. Free radicals may also play a role in causing arthritis and cancer, so be sure to load up on honey tangerines to help ward off these diseases. Vitamin C also helps with wound healing and immune function. A honey tangerine also provides you with 154 mg of potassium -- your body requires 2,000 mg of this mineral every day for optimal function. Potassium aids in muscle and digestive function.

Benefits

Because of the sweetness in a honey tangerine, it may serve as a healthy alternative to candy when your sweet tooth kicks up -- not only does it contain less calories and fat than many candies, it contains no added sugar. It also helps you get more fruit in your diet -- an ideal meal plan includes four to five servings of fruit per day, depending on your calorie needs. The American Heart Association recommends eating fruit in a rainbow of colors to get all the nutrients you need.