Juice Plus+

September is one of the better moments of the produce year — summer fruit finishing, winter squash arriving, both on the shelf at once. Here's what five of the best are actually delivering.

Figs. Notable for calcium, which is unusual in a fruit and supports bone health. They also bring potassium, which helps regulate fluid balance, and fiber, which slows digestion and supports the gut microbiome. Fresh figs have a short season, so buy them when you see them.

Concord grapes. The deep purple skin is where the anthocyanins are — plant pigments in the polyphenol family, studied for their antioxidant activity. Anthocyanins are concentrated almost entirely in the skin, which makes the eating instruction the whole point: don't peel, don't strain.

Delicata squash. Rich in beta-carotene, a carotenoid the body converts to vitamin A according to what it needs. Vitamin A contributes to normal vision, skin health, and immune function. Delicata also carries fiber and vitamin C, and unlike most winter squash the skin is thin enough to eat — roast it whole and you keep the fiber and skip the peeling.

Pomegranate. Punicalagins are a group of polyphenols found in few other foods, concentrated in the arils and the bitter white pith around them. Pomegranate also supplies vitamin C, which supports collagen formation and immune function, and vitamin K, which the body uses for blood clotting and bone metabolism.

Pears. A good source of pectin, a soluble fiber that slows digestion and acts as a prebiotic — food for the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Pectin levels are highest when the fruit is just barely ripe, still slightly firm rather than soft. Pears also bring vitamin C and copper.

The pattern behind all five: no single food covers everything. Anthocyanins, carotenoids and punicalagins are different compounds doing different work, which is why a range of colors on the plate outperforms a large quantity of any one thing.

On the weeks the produce drawer doesn't cooperate, Juice Plus+ Fruit, Vegetable & Berry Capsules add concentrated plant nutrition from more than 30 fruits, vegetables and berries.

Learn more about Juice Plus+ Fruit, Vegetable and Berry Blend Capsules: https://bit.ly/46hjGY1

We get asked a version of the same question constantly: is Healthy Starts really free, and what does a child actually receive?

Here's the arithmetic.

How it works. You subscribe to Juice Plus+ for yourself. One young person aged 4 to 25 in your household then receives whole food, plant-based nutrition at no additional cost, for as long as your subscription is active.

What arrives. Children ages 4 to 12 receive Juice Plus+ Fruit and Vegetable Blend Chewables, with a retail value of $29 a month. Ages 13 and up receive Chewables or Capsules, with a retail value of $56 a month.

How often. A shipment arrives every four months — three per year, valued at up to $224 each.

Over a full year, that's up to $672 in whole food, plant-based nutrition for your child at no additional cost.*

That's the part worth sitting with. Not a trial, not a first-order discount. Nutrition that keeps arriving through the years when eating habits are actually forming.

Find out if your child is eligible or through your local Juice Plus+ Partner: https://bit.ly/4cnVZ4t

*Free product valued at up to $224 per shipment. Actual value varies based on the child's age and product chosen. Requires an active Juice Plus+ subscription.

Every parent knows the drill: the first two weeks of school run on good intentions, and by October the lunchbox has quietly reverted to whatever's fastest.

The habits that survive that drift are the ones that were simple to begin with. Four that hold up:

Build lunch around four categories. Whole grains like whole wheat bread or wraps for lasting energy. Protein from beans or hummus. Fresh fruits and vegetables for vitamins, fiber and antioxidants. A healthy fat — avocado, nut butter, sunflower seeds — for staying power. Four boxes to tick, not a recipe to follow.

Prep snacks on Sunday. Fifteen minutes washing and cutting fruit, portioning nuts, prepping vegetables. Kids come home genuinely hungry, and in that moment whatever's easiest to grab wins. Prep decides what that is.

Make water the default. Hydration affects concentration, mood and energy more than most parents expect. Move sugary drinks out of easy reach, let kids pick their own bottle, and try fruit-infused water or unsweetened coconut water if plain water is a fight.

Add one habit that takes zero effort. Juice Plus+ Chewables deliver whole food, plant-based nutrition from 20 real fruits and vegetables in a gummy kids actually like. Through the Healthy Starts program, children 4–12 can receive Fruit & Vegetable Blend Chewables and young people 13–25 can receive Fruit and Vegetable Blend Capsules at no additional cost when a parent is on Juice Plus+.

Find out if your child is eligible at Juice Plus.com or through your local Juice Plus+ Partner.

Most parents already know children should eat more fruits and vegetables. The harder part is building it into an ordinary weeknight — between picky phases, packed schedules, and everything else a family is managing.

That's the gap Healthy Starts was designed to close, and it's been doing it for more than 25 years.

How the program works: one adult Juice Plus+ subscription covers one young person, ages 4–26 with either Fruit and Vegetable Blend Capsules or Fuit and Vegetable Blend Chewables, all the adult has to do is cover the cost of shipping.

Rather than explain the program ourselves, we asked the people in it. Swipe through to hear from those who have proven that the program actually yields results.

More than 4 million people have taken part. To find out more, visit https://bit.ly/4cnVZ4t or connect with your local Juice Plus+ Partner.

Nobody skips their vegetables on purpose.

It's just that most days the produce drawer loses to whatever's fastest. The problem was never motivation — it's friction. So we made whole food, plant-based nutrition available three ways, and built all of them on the same core blend of 30 real fruits, vegetables, and berries.

Capsules — Fruit, vegetable, and berry blends delivering bioavailable polyphenols and antioxidant power from 30 whole food sources. Best for adults who want a daily habit that takes about two seconds to build into the morning.

Chewables — Made from the same high-quality whole food sources as the capsules, minimally processed and enhanced with Vitamins A, C, and E. Best for kids 4 and up, plus adults who'd rather chew than swallow. Eligible young people can receive them free through the Juice Plus+ Healthy Starts program with an active adult subscription.

Superfood Powder — One stick pack, 10 ounces of water or your favorite smoothie. Thirty sticks to a box. Best for busy, on-the-go routines.

The core blend is supported by more than 20 published studies showing significant increases in blood levels of Vitamins A, C, E, and Folate within weeks of consistent use.

So the choice isn't about which one works. It's about which one fits.

Explore more plant-based nutrition from Juice Plus+: https://bit.ly/3R2Qhg4

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

Small, consistent changes compound — that's the whole philosophy behind this one.

We've broken down four everyday swaps that upgrade what you're already eating: yogurt, bread, snacks, and what's in your glass. Each slide shows what the usual choice is actually delivering versus what the swap gives you instead — fiber, protein, phytonutrients, and steadier energy.

The last one is where Juice Plus+ Superfood Powder fits in: 30 real fruits, vegetables, and berries in a daily drink, replacing empty calories with something that contributes.

Which of these four have you already made? Share this with someone who's building healthier habits this fall. 🍂

Learn more about the Juice Plus+ Healthy Starts program: https://bit.ly/4cnVZ4t

THIS JUST IN: We're thrilled to share that Juice Plus+ Strawberry Complete Nutrition Shake Mix has been featured in Real Simple 🍓

In "The Best Dessert for Heart Health, According to Registered Dietitians," written by Lauren Barnhill, registered dietitian Kelli Morgan shares a recipe she recommends when clients are looking for something sweet — and Strawberry Complete is one of the ingredients.

Strawberry Almond Butter Protein Balls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
• 1 scoop Juice Plus+ Strawberry Complete Nutrition Shake Mix
• 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
• 2 tablespoons h**p hearts
• Pinch of sea salt
• ½ cup natural almond butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 to 2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk, if needed

Directions:

Mix the oats, Juice Plus+ Strawberry Complete Nutrition Shake Mix, flaxseed, h**p hearts, and sea salt in a bowl.
Stir in the almond butter and vanilla until well combined.
Add almond milk, as needed, until the mixture comes together.
Roll into 12 to 14 balls and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Oats and ground flaxseed contribute fiber, while almond butter and h**p hearts add healthy fats. One scoop of Juice Plus+ Strawberry Complete adds 14g plant-based protein, 8g fiber, 9 essential vitamins and minerals, and 1g added sugar at 100 calories.

Shop Strawberry Complete: https://us.juiceplus.com/products/strawberry-shakes
Read the full story: https://www.realsimple.com/best-dessert-for-heart-health-according-to-registered-dietitians-12026016