You've heard, "an apple a day will keep the doctor away." While it will certainly take more than a daily apple to keep you healthy, it is a step in the right direction. Apples are delicious, easy to carry for snacking, low in calories, a natural mouth freshener, and they are still very inexpensive.

Apples are a source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber such as pectin actually helps to prevent cholesterol buildup in the lining of blood vessel walls, thus reducing the incident of arteriosclerosis and heart disease. The insoluble fiber in apples provides bulk in the intestinal tract, holding water to cleanse and move food quickly through the digestive system.

It is a good idea to eat apples with their skin. Almost half of the vitamin C content is just underneath the skin. Eating the skin also increases insoluble fiber content. Most of an apple's fragrance cells are also concentrated in the skin and as they ripen, the skin cells develop more aroma and flavor.

There are hundreds of varieties of apples on the market today, although most people have only tasted one or two of the most popular such as Red Delicious or Granny Smith. Apples can be sweet, tart, soft and smooth or crisp and crunchy, depending on the one you choose. There is an apple to suit almost everyone's taste, so why not choose one. Have an apple today!

Apple Nutrition Facts
(*One medium 2-1/2 inch apple, fresh, raw, with skin)

*The nutritional value of apples will vary slightly depending on the variety and size.

Source: USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory -- Apple

Nutritional Information from Washington State Apple Commission
http://www.bestapples.com/healthy/

Healthy Choices for Kids
http://www.healthychoices.org
A nutrition education program for elementary age children

The Good Food Climb
http://www.healthychoices.org/treetop/index.html
An online nutrition education program for pre-schoolers

The Awesome Apple: Why an apple a day keeps the doctor away
http://www.mottsproducts.com/apple_info/articles/article358.html

Healthy & Easy Tips to Add an Apple to Your Child's Day
http://www.usapple.org/newsroom/applebits/1999/nrab_healthyeasytips.html