The old adage, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” is closer to the truth than you might think. These crisp fall fruits come packed with health-boosting nutrition and easily fit into your daily diet. Eat an apple a day for:

• Weight control: Apples are rich in a type of fiber called pectin, which studies show may help calm your appetite. One study showed the pectin in one apple at breakfast time helped subjects eat fewer calories at lunch. And with only 80 calories in a medium apple, they easily fit into any weight loss plan.
• Heart health: Pectin, along with other phytonutrients in apples, helps lower circulating cholesterol levels. A research study from the Netherlands showed an apple a day cut death from heart disease by 50 percent. An additional study (from UC Davis) showed eating two apples daily protected arteries from harmful plaque build up that can lead to blocked arteries and heart attacks.
• Quercitin: A type of phytonutrient in apples, quercitin may have far reaching effects, such as improving immune health and slowing the aging process. Along with onions, apples are a major source of this special compound that is best obtained from food rather than taken as a supplement.
• Tasty convenience: Apples make for a portable snack (like a school lunch or backpack treat), stay fresh and crisp in the fridge for weeks, and have a myriad of uses. Besides eating them solo, you can add apples to salads and stuffing, bake them alone or with other fruit as a dessert, stir them into yogurt, or combine them with flavorful cheeses as an appetizer. Search “apple” on our recipe page for tons of great ideas!