I am going to start off this post with the following fact. Conservatively speaking, I have eaten approximately 5475 apples over the past 20 years. And, since I am much greater than 20 years of age, this figure could be at least 50% higher.
Growing up north of NYC, in the fall time apples were a very popular fruit option. Many apple orchards are nearby, so they were/are cheap and plentiful. And, um, delicious… Hello…?!
In previous food posts I may have mentioned the following, but it bears repeating. Shortly after college I began to really pay attention to what I eat and how I eat. And how it would affect my overall health and performance throughout the day. Fruits and vegetables soon became the forefront in my dietary arsenal. Apples… Apples soon were put on the top of that list.
As I am a big proponent of eating a little bit of everything, 15-20 years ago I landed on the strategy of eating one of each apple on offer at my local grocery store. Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny smith, Pink Lady, and Braeburn were in constant rotation. When things got wild, Honey Crisp and Jonagold were added to the mix.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away was the saying I grew up with. I am sure many others since my days as a kid have heard the same. That, and how they complimented my lunch (or dinner) was reason enough for me. But then I started to learn more about their nutritional magic.
Apples are a great source of carbohydrates, by which delivers oh so important dietary fiber at the same time. Potassium and Vitamin C are on tap. And, water…! One great thing about fruits and vegetables is the amount of water they provide. In my opinion, this gives them volume which makes you feel full. Consumed as a snack, apples can stave off hunger in a nutritious way. Or, like I do, eat them after a meal to keep you feeling fuller for longer. Really, disallowing you from becoming hangry (angry due to hunger pains).
One other health benefit which bears mentioning…antioxidants. Touted as soldiers whom fight against a bodi’s enemy, dubbed free radicals. Those pesky little buggers can wreak havoc on your health if left unaccounted for. But, mother nature is to the rescue with the antioxidants on offer from her bounty, which includes apples. In particular, Red Delicious apples are known to offer the most amount of antioxidants from any other apple variety.
All the healthy info aside, there is something about eating apples in season. The firmness of the flesh. The snap as you bite through with your teeth. The fresh sweet (or tart) flavor. The nutty chaser from the taste of the seed. A small bit of heaven each and every time.
Give apples a solid try on regular basis if you haven't already. Check out this other fruit option to keep your meals delicious.
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