We’ve been taught in health or home economics classes that the food pyramid tells us to get a certain number of servings of fruits and vegetables a day. But, all fruits are not created equal. They may all have a benefit for our health but not necessarily the same benefits. What’s inside of these foods determines how they will impact our health.
Nutrition Value in the Apple
Apples make a good overall showing in the healthy fruit category. They’re small enough to carry along with you wherever you go and don’t bruise as easily as other fruits with softer flesh. Apples come in several varieties that have been bred for certain features.
They sound like champion racehorses, but really they’re the champions of the fruit world. If you look a bit closer, you’ll see that that crisp, white flesh is hiding a fat attacker—fiber. Insoluble fiber isn’t absorbed by the body but removed. As it passes through our digestive system, it binds to fat molecules and takes them out with it.
Apples also contain plenty of Vitamin C. This vitamin plays an important role in our body. Vitamin C is needed for essential brain functions and to maintain the structure of blood vessels and bones in the body. The majority of our daily dose can come from eating an apple or two. With the incidents of osteoporosis in older women, consuming a healthy amount of Vitamin C can prevent this condition from happening to you.
Apples also contain antioxidants. Vitamin C is an antioxidant but they also contain some that are unique to apples. One is phloridzin. Researchers have found that this antioxidant called a flavonoid helps to reduce bone loss in women going through menopause.
Pectin found in apples works to reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood. Bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol, or lousy cholesterol as my doctor likes to call it) increases the chance of plaque formations in the vessels. This can lead to heart attacks or strokes. In combination with antioxidants, the amount of LDL is reduced and the vessels maintain their elasticity and prevent the clumping of platelets.
Quercetin is another antioxidant compound found in apples. Researchers believe that it functions to prevent certain diseases and cancers along with limiting the damage caused by free radicals in the body. Free radicals cause all sorts of problems as we age and antioxidants work to stop that damage and restore our bodies to a healthy state.
Apples contain no cholesterol, no fat, and very little sodium. Apples are low in calories and high in fiber. When choosing a snack or a healthy addition to recipes, look no further than your llocal farmers market or pick-your-own apple orchard.
Apple Pandowdy Recipe
| Apple Pandowdy |
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- white bread
- melted butter
- 4 large green cooking apples
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Line the bottom and sides of a baking dish with fingers of bread (crusts removed) which have been dipped in melted butter.
- Fill the center with the apples, peeled, cored, and sliced.
- Sprinkle the apples with a mixture of the sugar and cinnamon.
- Add 1/2 cup of water and cover the top with a layer of well buttered fingers of bread.
- Sprinkle top with additional sugar.
- Cover and bake 1 hour in a 350 degree oven.
- Serve hot with whipped cream.
© 2011 Frugal New England Kitchen
Image Credit: mrgarin
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So I can use the excuse that apples are healthy to eat this?
Seems likes it’s easy to make and looks so yummy.
ConnieFoggles would like you to read..Emergen-C Kidz Vitamins Review and Giveaway
Yes Connie, apples are healthy! Nothing says fall like a fresh picked apple! LOL. I can’t have enough apple recipes!
Moomettes (Admin) would like you to read..Best Connecticut Farm Stands Markets – Autumn Roasted Apple and Pumpkin Soup Recipe
Sounds like a warm and comforting dessert.
Yes Megan, Comfort foods are good for the soul!
Moomettes (Admin) would like you to read..Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Bars
Yum!!
Glad you like it Cheryl, let me know if you try it! (My friend of few words)
Moomettes (Admin) would like you to read..Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Bars
I have several apple tree’s filled with wonderful apples, can’t wait to try this. Maybe even tonight!
By the way, came upon you blog by way of Whimsical Wed. Bog hop.
So glad to be able to find another Mom/grandma, Yankee (born in NY) out there doing the blog thing!
**New follower**
Welcome from one Yankee Grandmom to another! Wish I had a private stock apple tree!
Moomettes (Admin) would like you to read..Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Bars
I’m with Connie! With all that butter soaked bread, I definitely will use the excuse that apples have no fat and are good for me when I eat this!
This looks very, very yummy!
Ha Ha, just because I preach healthy eating doesn’t mean I always follow what I preach!
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So happy you enjoyed my recipe & post. Thanks for stopping by!
Moomettes (Admin) would like you to read..Tastefully Simple – Beer Bread Recipe
Whoo doggy! Sure am glad I came upon your site! Visiting from vB I am allergic to raw apples but I love them and can eat them cooked! Thank you for the recipe!
Hi Thomasina – Isn’t that strange about raw v. cooked apples or juice? My youngest daughter can’t drink apple juice, ever since she was a baby, (she’s 24 now!) Hope you get to enjoy the recipe!
Moomettes (Admin) would like you to read..Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Bars