A Healthy You: An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

By Cindy GatesEating seasonally and locally is a great concept and apples are a great way to start. Seasonal local foods are fresher and tend to be tastier and more nutritious and what a great way to support the local economy.Interesting Apple Facts

• Apples started getting popular during the 18th century.  John Chapman, known as Johnny Appleseed, planted apple orchards across 10,000 square miles of North America.
• Mrs. Maria Smith cultivated the first Granny Smith apple in her Sydney garden.
• The game bobbing for apples began as a Celtic New Year’s tradition for trying to determine one’s future spouse.
• There are over 7,000 named varieties of apples.
• Apples are a member of the rose family.
• The typical mouthful of American food travels 1,200 miles from farmer to consumer.
• Nutrition:  Apples are a great source of fiber and pectin, and fair source of Vitamin C and A.

When buying apples, choose those with undamaged skins. Apples continue to ripen after picked. Store in refrigerator.A Healthy You is a regular column about nutrition, healthy living and cancer care. It is written by Cindy Gates, RD and LD and the Cancer Center’s Oncology dietitian, herbalist and Certified Wellness Coach.