They are robust for your handbag, unlike a banana, can be eaten with one free hand and incredibly versatile.
The apples of the moment in my life are of the jazz variety.
‘You can always trust a Jazz apple to be crispy and juicy!’
The Jazz variety first occupied my fruit bowl about year and half ago. Whilst shopping in Waitrose I spotted them, how could I pass them with a name like that, although I must say I did fall into the trap of picking them up in a very characteristic jazz hand manner!
They really do have the best crunch, comparing to that of a Braeburn, with the sweetness of a Pink Lady, and such a distinguished shape. So look out for them, I have noticed M&S have jumped on the happy jazz apple bandwagon if you do not have a Waitrose near you.
Below is a tool that shows you the nutrition behind apples as well as their “fullness factor” a unique analysis method. The further to the top right the fuller you will feel and the more nutritious the food per gram.
It is from a very useful site http://www.nutritiondata.com
I find this invaluable, although I must warn you, it can become addictive and before you know it you have spent your entire evening analysing the contents of every cupboard in a scrupulous manner.
A medium-sized apple with the peel on supplies you with about 4 grams of dietary fiber and just 60 calories. That's about 15% of the amount advised daily for adults. An apple's mostly soluble fiber may help lower blood cholesterol levels and its insoluble fiber helps waste move through your intestinal tract faster.
So, is it the fiber that is the magical ingredient?
No of course not!
Nature has the ability to create the perfect concoction, a matrix of nutrients that work together in chorus, not a solo soprano!
'…it's not fiber alone that explains the cardiovascular benefits of apple, but the interaction of fiber with other phytonutrients within the fruit..'
To peel or not to peel that may be the question, but as the apples nutrients are disproportionately present in the skin, not peeling is definitely the answer.
Researchers have recently compared intake of whole apples to intake of applesauce and apple juice, they discovered that those who ate the whole apple had an increased sensation of satiety (fullness).
So when you are hungry grab an apple, or maybe a short time before your main meal as further studies showed that when healthy adults consumed an apple approximately 15 minutes before a meal, their caloric intake at that meal decreased by an average of 15%.
So when you are hungry grab an apple, or maybe a short time before your main meal as further studies showed that when healthy adults consumed an apple approximately 15 minutes before a meal, their caloric intake at that meal decreased by an average of 15%.So if I was to tuck into homemade lamb curry, which works out to be around 680kcal, but I decided to eat a good ol apple before hand that would work out:
15% of 680kcal =102kcal saved
But hang on you say, what about the calories in the apple!
Well lets say an average apple is 60kcals give or take a few, you would still be saving over 40 kcals with that over a week accounts to 210kcal!
And to think of all the added nutrients and fiber you would gain, nothing to lose really when you think about it. Unless you hate apples and in that case, I feel for you I really do.
A great mid afternoon energy boost, with the ability to silence any hungry growl is slicing an apple, adding big unrefined oats (Scottish) and your favourite flavour yoghurt. Mix until every bit of apple is covered and enjoy.
Sometimes if you leave it for a couple of minutes (either accidently or not), it allows
the oats to absorb the moisture and become that little bit softer!
Enjoy your apples, and so to will your health.
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