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?