You know the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”?
While I can’t promise it will keep the doctor away, I want to let you in on just a few of the amazing benefits of the lowly apple.
My Story
For as long as I can remember, my midmorning snack has been an apple.
I have no idea when or how it started; all I know is an apple is my go-to snack.
As a snack, an apple is inexpensive, convenient, and tasty. (In this case, cheap and easy is a good thing!)
And of course, I know any fruit is relatively good for you, which is a bonus.
What I didn’t know is exactly how special the lowly apple actually is.
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while!
What makes an apple so special?
An apple is, most amazingly, a natural appetite suppressant.
If you want to eat less, eat an apple about thirty minutes before you eat a meal.
The fiber in apples, especially pectin, slows digestion, making you feel full faster.
Keep in mind, the biggest benefit comes from the pectin. The highest concentration of pectin is found in the peel.
So don’t peel the apple! (Unless it’s for a young child that will choke on the peel, then definitely peel it!)
This probably explains why I naturally gravitate to an apple midmorning.
Enjoying an apple as a midmorning snack naturally allows me to feel less hungry as lunchtime approaches.
An apple is allowable on almost any eating plan.
If you track calories, an apple will barely make a dent in your daily allowance.
At 75 – 100 calories per apple, it’s possible to enjoy a tasty snack without consuming a large number of calories.
If you track points through weight watchers an apple is….zero points!
It’s a win-win. Low on calories, high on taste.
How can you go wrong?
According to Cleveland Clinic apples may help to reduce high cholesterol and lower blood pressure.
Something easy to do that tastes good too and helps fight two significant health issues!
Yep, sign me up!
Apples are a natural prebiotic.
Specifically, the pectin.
Since the body can’t digest the pectin, it travels through the intestinal track creating an environment where good bacteria can survive and thrive.
Although the entire apple contains pectin, the peel contains the highest concentration.
So, again, don’t peel the apple!
You can get many of your vitamins naturally.
Apples contain vitamin C, vitamin K, and many of the B vitamins your body needs.
In addition, an apple provides small amounts of vitamin A, vitamin E, calcium, potassium, iron, copper, magnesium, and phosphorus.
If your kids love apples, lucky you. They are getting tons of good for you vitamins.
And there’s more!
Actually, quite a bit more. The more I dug the more I found.
Every article I read highlighted another benefit of apples.
So many, in fact, I decided to stop with the few that I found most amazing.
If I haven’t completely convinced you on the specialness of apples, do a quick internet search and see for yourself.
Be prepared to be amazed.
Not every apple is created equal.
Some may have more of this and less of that, but overall, all brands of apples share the basic goodness that makes them so special.
So while an apple a day may not always keep the doctor away, it’s a sure bet that it’s a great first line of defense!
Eat more apples!
Note: It’s your responsibility to use common sense. For young kids, an apple should always be peeled. The peel is a choking hazard. If your diet doesn’t allow apples for some reason, don’t eat them.
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