The BAD/BETTER/BEST of Foods Challenge Post # 8

APPLES

BAD – apple juice

Most apple juices have zero fiber and some even have added sugar as well. In order to keep calories, grams of carb and sugar comparable to that of a fresh apple, you would have to keep your portion of juice to a measly ½ cup! Most people are inclined to drink at least 8 ounces if not 12 ounces or more and this can easily add up to 2 or three times the calories, carbs and sugar vs. a whole apple, with no fiber along with it.

BETTER- unsweetened applesauce

Surprisingly, many applesauce brands have as much as 2 or 3 grams of fiber and decent amounts of carb, or sugar- comparable to a fresh apple. Some are even fortified with fiber and other nutrients too, like those from Mott’s. What’s nice is that is common for applesauce to come in proportioned 4 ounce packs which are great as snacks or as a side with a meal. It also is great to use to replace fat in baking, like in my Choco-chip cookie recipe.

BEST- fresh apples

A fresh apple has no added sugar and in it’s whole form retains all the fiber and has important nutrients such as vitamin C and potassium. A small apple contains only 50-60 calories, 14 grams carb, and as much as 3-4 grams of fiber. Try them in my Quick Slaw recipe.