How Many Calories in an Apple?

Ever wonder how many calories in an apple? On average there are 80 calories in an apple, but this may vary depending on the size of the apple. Apples can be eaten many different ways and there are hundreds of different varieties of apples. Those factors do determine the exact amount of calories in an apple. You can eat an apple raw with skin or without skin, processed into juice or applesauce, baked in pies or even dried to make chips. With different eating variations, comes a difference in caloric intake. Some of the most popular raw apples are:

· Golden Delicious - 82 calories (102 g/medium). pale yellow yellow-green in color, mildly sweet

Apple

· Red Delicious - 90 calories (170 g/large). red, crisp and juicy, sweet

· Fuji - 130 calories (242 g/large). aromatic, yellowish green with orange-red stripes, sweetly tart

· Gala - 74 calories (152 g/medium). red-orange skin, semisweet, crisp and juicy

· McIntosh - 80 calories (154 g/medium). red on green skin, medium to large in size, best used in applesauce

· Granny Smith - 80 calories (154 g/medium). very juicy, green in color, sweet with a bite of sour

Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

The old saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" does actually have some truth and sense to it. Apples are packed full of phytonutrients and anti-oxidants. These essential nutrients are required for normal growth and development. Apples contain no saturated fats and are cholesterol free. Being a rich dietary fiber, apples help protect the colon from exposure to toxic substances by binding to cancer causing chemicals. This fruit is full of vitamin C and beta carotene, making an apple a powerful agent against harmful infections. In addition, apples are a good source of B-complex vitamins which help your metabolism. Lastly, apples have small amounts of potassium, calcium and phosphorus. Potassium, being an important component of cell and body fluids, helps with heart rate and blood pressure.

How to Store Apples

If you are planning to eat your apples right away, the best place to store apples is in the refrigerator fruit crisper in a perforated plastic bag. Apples like a little humidity to keep them from shriveling. The best apples for longer storage are Fuji and Granny Smith. You will need to make sure the apples you choose to store long term are fully ripe with a non-glassy core. Separate your stored apples from other produce and place them in a basement, storage room or cool porch. The temperature needs to be slightly above freezing (32 degrees). A helpful hint to storing is to cover your apples with straw to help protect them from freezing.

Healthy Snack Recipe

Apple Toast

Ingredients:

· 1 slice of whole wheat bread

· 1 tablespoon all natural peanut butter

· ½ medium-sized apple, cored and sliced

· 1 sprinkle of cinnamon

Directions:

Make your toast as normal. Spread the peanut butter on the toast. Place the sliced apples over the peanut butter. Apply a sprinkle of cinnamon. For a little extra goodness, place your apple toast in a toaster oven or regular oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the apples are slightly soft and warmed.

How Many Calories in an Apple?

Fruit Recipes That Kids Love

Fruit is the perfect after school healthy snack for kids. Fruit is colorful and fun to eat. Getting kids to eat fruit is easy when we allow them to create their own fruit treats. The healthful snacks listed below are easy to prepare. Depending on the age of the children, they can use a blender to make their own fruit smoothie snack. The clean up after preparing this snack is also easy.

The fruits that kids often choose to eat are usually apples and bananas. This quick smoothie recipe can be made with a variety of fruits that will add variety. You can use any kind of fruit to make this healthy fruit snack.

Fruit

The USDA "My Pyramid" recommends that children between the ages of 2 to 8, consume about 1 - 1 1/2 cups of fruit a day. For ages 9 to 13, 1 1/2 cups is recommended. American children do not consume enough fruit and vegetables. It is important that we prepare fruits in novel and interesting ways so that kids enjoy eating this important nutrient.

This recipe provides one serving of fruit - A strawberry smoothie is a cool and refreshing treat. This delicious smoothie fulfills one of those fruit requirements in a healthy but delicious way.

Strawberry Smoothie

Ingredients:

*2 ice cubes

*1 cup frozen yogurt

*2/3 cup frozen strawberries

*1/2 teaspoons of sugar

*1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1) Pour all of the ingredients into the blender

2) Put the lid on the blender

3) Blend ingredients for 45 - 60 seconds until smooth

4) Pour smoothie into glass

5) Enjoy

This strawberry smoothie is so easy to make but so nutritious. Strawberries are sources of several
vitamins and minerals that children need on a daily basis.

For another delicious kid fruit snack recipe try this one with ripe bananas and everyone's favorite chocolate.

1 Fruit Serving Coconut & Chocolate Dipped Bananas

Ingredients:

*4 bananas, cut in halves

*8 Popsicle sticks

*4 bars bittersweet chocolate

*Nuts

*Toasted coconut

*Sprinkles

*Granola

Instructions:

1) Place each banana half on a stick

2) Melt the chocolate in the microwave (Stir with a spatula)

3) Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper

4) Dip bananas in the chocolate

5) Roll in the topping of your choice

6) Cool to room temperature

7) Chill leftovers in refrigerator

Bananas are full of nutrients including potassium that is an important element in a healthy menu. The bananas dipped in chocolate are especially appealing to kids. They get to play with their food, which is something children love to do.

Fruit Recipes That Kids Love

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Would you like more Kid-Friendly Recipes? Christine Steendahl – “The Menu Mom” invites you to visit Kid Approved Meals (http://www.kidapprovedmeals.com) to pick up your personal 13 week breakfast and lunch menu designed just for children!