Fruit -y Call

Juicy Healthy Apples

It's confirmed - "An apple a day [still] keeps the doctor away."

Doctors themselves said it. MD's Mark Leyner and Billy Goldberg said "It certainly would be great to spend your money on apples rather than health insurance." - Well, you may still need insurance and a boost of daily multi-vitamins, but all these efforts for a healthier immune system wouldn't be complete without that red (or green) juicy apple.

All apples generally have antioxidants that combat major health concerns. The quercetin, also found in red wines, specifically is said to prevent lung and prostate cancer and also reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Other research also reveals that apples also strengthen the body's immunity against breast cancer in women, plus also delaying the onset of Alzheimer's Disease. Aside from its antioxidant properties, apples of course are rich in fiber--and the part that you should especially go after for all its nutrients are the peel. Looks like it's better to substitute this crunch to chips right? (Source: Yahoo! Health)

It's a Fruity World Out There

When you're looking for a healthy food substitute, apples are not the only answer--because there's a lot to choose from--and a lot of reasons to choose--fruits.

Fruits are so healthy that even all the fats you could get from avocadoes, olives, or coconuts is good to keep you away from trans-fats all the days of your life. All are rich with anti-oxidants, fiber, and nutrients. For one, the MayoClinic recognizes the top reasons why we all (not just dieters) should eat fruits - nutrients and phytochemicals.

For Vitamin-C look for oranges and kiwis; for potassuim, bananas; and for Vit.-A, Apricots. You can go ahead yourself and look up the nutrients that your favorite fruit is rich in. Also in general, all fruits have the phytonutrients that our bodies need. These phytochemicals are said to reduce a person's risk to chronic diseases such as heart attack, diabetes, and even cancer. Enough reasons to take extra fruit servings right?

But here's how you should do it according to MayoClinic:

Selecting Fruits

Choose [fresher] in-season fruits.

- Select fruits that feel heavy [juicy] for their size.

- Test texture.

- Buy dried fruits processed without added sugar.

- Read labels on packaged fruits [for those packed in natural juices].

Storing Fruits

- Keep fruits at room temperature to ripen them.

- Store ripe fruits in your refrigerator.

- Freeze fruits for long-term storage.

- Throw away [now toxic] produce you've kept too long.

Preparing and Serving Fruits

- Wash all fruits thoroughly under cold running water before cutting or eating whole.

- Leave on edible peels whenever possible [grapes, fruit with pits as apples and pears].

- Prepare fresh fruit [salads] within about an hour of serving to maximize flavor, texture and nutrients.

- Remove zest from citrus peels before discarding and save it for other recipes [as extra flavoring or garnish].

Adding More Fruits to Your Diet

- Add fresh or dried fruit to breakfast cereals.

- Add dried fruit to batters and doughs for quick breads, muffins and cookies.

- Replace the oil [butter or margarine] in baked goods with thick fruit purees, such as applesauce, mashed bananas or prunes.

- Sauté with fruit juice instead of oil.

- Add grated raw apple to lean ground beef or turkey when making meatloaf or meatballs.

- Make fruit sauces and toppings for desserts or pancakes.

- Freeze fresh grapes and enjoy them instead of sugary iced treats.

- Place a package of dried fruit in your car, purse, briefcase, backpack or lunchbox for a between-meal snack.

- Carry two pieces of fruit with you to work every day for lunch and a snack.

- Enjoy fruit as a snack by keeping a variety ready to eat in the refrigerator or in a display bowl at all times.

- Make it a goal to have fruit at each meal. (MayoClinic, Yahoo! Health)

Fruits remain the healthiest favorite for the sweet-tooth. Go find yours!