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(HealthNewsDiget.com) – Yes, “Bake an Apple this Holiday” because September begins the season for apples! We’ve all heard the motto “An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away” and apples are known as “The American Fruit” no matter how we eat them. Statistics show that we Americans each consume roughly 40 pounds of apples annually in some form (I hope it’s more from fresh apples than pie!). Apples believe it or not, come in thousands of varieties, which are grown in the U.S. Most of us are familiar with at least half a dozen varieties and most of us have our favorite (I love Golden Delicious, myself and go to this site for the most common http://urbanext.illinois.edu/apples/varieties.cfm). Now that they are in season, let’s take a look at one of the most versatile fruits we can eat, because they really are good for us, and we can even bake one on the grill for a delicious, healthy Labor Day Weekend Dessert!
So, why are apples good for us?
The apple’s main nutritional value is its fiber contribution because it has both soluble and insoluble fiber. Most of its fiber is the soluble type called Pectin, known for its cholesterol lowering benefit. But that’s not pectin’s only role. Pectin and other soluble fibers slow down our food’s digestive transit time, giving us a slow steady rise in blood sugar (great for sustained energy, and a weight watcher’s friend). Pectin is found in the flesh of the apple. Apples do cause some of us to feel bloated, but if we bake them, we reduce the large amount of air they contain (it’s the air that causes we know what!).
Apples also provide flavonoids, a large group of phytochemical compounds that are all antioxidants, helping us to prevent and fight cancers. The majority of these bioactive chemicals are found in the peel. According to the American Institute of Cancer Research, ” Disease-fighting substances have been found both in the fruit’s flesh and peel. Research suggests that the phytochemicals in apples may protect against breast, colon and liver cancers”. On a side note, I do recommend organic apples since much of the pesticides in non organic apples is on the peel.
Apples are also pretty chewy, juicy, fibrous, and the pulp doesn’t stick to our teeth (perhaps we should say an apple a day keeps the dentist away?) but please don’t ask me why, because I don’t know exactly why! Of course, apples also contain Vitamin C, and when we eat their peel, we get some beta-carotene and extra fiber. A large apple has about 125 calories, and I mean “large” with only 2 whole ones per pound (think it’s easy to gain weight eating too many apples?)!
Apples are also one of the most versatile fruits, which is probably why we’re consuming those 40 pounds each. They’re great eaten raw as a fruit of course, but we can add them to a salad (Junefit’s Waldorf Salad), eat them sliced with some cheese (my favorite is sliced with a pinch of salt and a Light baby Bel cheese for a snack); they can be added to a stuffing (Thanksgiving will be here before we know it), and one favorite way of mine to enjoy an apple is make a low fat, low calorie, individual baked apple. Hence my “Bake an Apple” recipe. I halve an apple, core the center, add some cinnamon and nutmeg along with a drop of water and a bit of my favorite low calorie butter spray and bake it until it is cooked right in its skin on a baking pan. Sometimes I add a teaspoon of raisins when the apple is almost cooked, for extra sweetness. This weekend we can bake it right on the grill, just loosely wrap each apple in tin foil. Then, I top each cored center with a tablespoon of non-fat frozen vanilla yogurt or low fat ice-cream, and I have an easy, fun and sweet tasting apple dessert.
I also recommend to my clients who love potato chips served on the side of their lunch sandwich, to slice a Granny Smith Apple, add a pinch of salt and not only can we satisfy that crunchy urge, but we can save a couple of hundred calories to boot! Let’s not forget there’s almost everyone’s favorite, applesauce. I add applesauce to frozen vanilla yogurt with raisins as a topping to a whole grain waffle for dessert. Shall we grill our waffles (Okay, I’m losing it!). So who said we can’t have a sweet dessert, be healthy and lose weight too?
The CDC offers additional resources for “National Fruits & Veggies – More Matters” Month in September with lots of tips such as “30 Ways in 30 Days to Stretch your Fruit and Vegetable Budget” and an electronic health card. For more information go to : www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov .
Want to read an article from the American Institute for Cancer Research Fall Newsletter on apples? Go to http://www.aicr.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8357&news_iv_ctrl=0&abbr=pr_hf_
So raw, baked, alone or as a combo, and for a really satisfying decadent feeling dessert, here’s to apples and our health! Next week, “Back to the Gym”!
June M. Lay M.S.
JuneLay
Follow me, Junefit every Sunday on Twitter for a new tool taken my book, and this month a “go veggie” tool. AND my screensaver program “Focus on the Tools” is available for PC users. It features rotating flashing tools from my program with beautifully photographed healthy salads in the background. There’s even a calendar that shows the month and date! Reinforce healthy eating habits and stay motivated to change while at your computer. Click here for more info http://www.junefit.com/serviceshp.htm
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