The MVP of Fall Produce: Apples

09.18.2012 / Blog Posts Health and Wellness

Jane Jakubczak MPH, RD, CSSD, LDN; Washington Redskins Team Dietitian

If I had to pick (pun intended) one food that could be considered a most valuable player at this time of year, the apple could arguably win this all-star place on your plate! Here's why:

The apple is:
• A nutrient powerhouse containing an abundance of fiber, potassium and vitamin C: For a mere 80 calories, this member of the produce family is busy keeping your digestive tract running smoothly, your heart pumping efficiently, your blood pressure regulated and keeping your immune system fighting off illness. The adage, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” has a lot of truth!

• How about keeping the dentist away too? Considered a “detergent food” because the firm, crunchy texture cleans your teeth, this fist sized fruit could be responsible for making your next visits to the dentist few and far between.

• Can play a starring role in every meal, snack and even dessert: Add chopped apples to your morning oatmeal or yogurt, add an apple to your sandwich at lunch, smear sliced apples with peanut butter for your afternoon snack, add diced apples to your side salad at dinner or enjoy apple pie or apple crisp for dessert.

Find yummy apples recipes at http://www.applerecipes.us/

I hope you have a new appreciation for the apple!

I’d love to hear how WOW members enjoy this versatile fruit – share recipes, favorite varieties (I love Fuji Apples) and pictures of you and your family enjoying (and picking) your favorite apples on the WOW Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/WOWRedskins or in the comments section below!

Make it a healthy week,
Jane