An Apple A Day

That’s What They Say!

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Finding and Sharing Apples

This time of year, apples are falling off trees in every direction. Bags of apples are easy to come by in neighborhoods where apple trees are everywhere. In the mountains there are apple trees surrounding many small communities. Often folks will allow pickers to come and eliminate the wasted apples and clean-up efforts needed when they are not harvested.

Packed With Nutrition

This is good news for nutrition. One medium apple counts as one cup of fruit in the MyPyramid.gov Fruit Group. One medium apple also provides almost 20% of the daily, recommended amount of fiber. Keep your apples in the refrigerator for longer shelf life and for the sake of having a crisp, cold apple anytime you want it.

With zero fat, zero cholesterol, and zero sodium, an apple makes a healthy snack. 19 grams of natural sugar make it a popular choice for kids. One medium apple will pack 14% of the daily, recommended intake for Vitamin C (based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet). Apples are a powerful source of antioxidants, including polyphenols, flavonoids and are also a good source of potassium. In the United States, Fuji apples have the highest total phenilic and flavonoid content of any apples. Each type of apple has a different color skin. With each, comes different nutrients and a good reason to eat a wide variety of apples! Use apples in your favorite recipes. Try USDA’s Apple Carrot Soup! Click more of MVL’s favorite recipes  including Apple Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Cabbage Apple Cole Slaw and more: Apple Cider and Crispy Apple Tart with Walnuts and Caramel Sauce

Apple Tips:

To prevent sliced apples from turning brown, dip them into a solution of 1 part lemon juice and 3 parts water. Don’t wash your apples until you are ready to eat them; they will keep longer.