The Apple of My Eye

You know of her and may have overlooked her, but she's one of a kind and you two should get reacquainted.

Thinkstock

Apple is of the quintessential kind. The Audrey Hepburn of fruit if you will. She has been cultivated, enjoyed and immortalized throughout history, and from her satisfying crunch straight out of a new lunch box to the warm and comforting smell of a baked pie just like Mom used to make wafting in the air, Apple weaves her simple and flavorful magic over us.   

MORE FROM HEALTHY DINING FINDER: It's No Yolk

While she may often be overlooked during the spring and summer months for flashier fruits like berries, peaches, watermelon and plums, she is always ready to add a sweet crunch and her own personal nutrition to your snacks and meals. Known primarily for her high fiber content with the ability to help lower blood pressure and “bad” cholesterol, Apple would also like you to keep her in mind for her vitamin C. As school and activities start back up this time of year, vitamin C is a great defense against those eager germs passed around homes, classrooms and offices.

Apple is so much more than just a handy snack or sweet dessert filling these days! If you’d like to add a little more of her to your healthy diet at restaurants or at home, try these fun ways to get your fill:

MORE FROM HEALTHY DINING FINDER: Steering Clear of the Freshmen Fifteen

• Breakfast:  Top oatmeal with your favorite variety of apple.  Vibrant green Granny Smiths will add a tart crunch, while Honeycrisp will add a mellow sweetness.
   
• Lunch: Add sliced apples to salads or sandwiches for a sweet compliment to other savory ingredients like nuts and cheese.
   
• Dinner: Top savory lean meats with sweet cooked apples or include apple in cooked whole grains for a flavorful and fiber-ful side dish.
   
• Snacks: Sliced apples with a tablespoon of your favorite nut butter is the perfect combination of crisp, sweet fruit and creamy decadent protein (crunchy or smooth, peanut or almond, Apple is happy either way).
   
• Dessert: Core apples and sprinkle with cinnamon for simple baked apples or simmer sliced apples with cinnamon for a juicy vanilla frozen yogurt topping.

Looking for more ways to include Apple in your healthy lifestyle? Try these menu choices from participating Healthy Dining restaurants:

• Apple Kolache (200 calories, 5 g fat) at The Kolache Factory. Locations in OH, KS, and throughout TX.
   
• Market Salad (340 calories, 15 g fat) at Fresh to Order. Locations in GA and TN.
   
• Harvest Oatmeal Breakfast (530 calories, 11 g fat) at Denny’s. Locations nationwide.
   
• Breakfast Combo: Chicken Apple Sausage Panini with Egg Whites and Seasonal Fruit Medley (530 calories, 16 g fat) at Corner Bakery Café. Locations in AZ, CA, CO, DC, GA, IL, MD, MS, PA, TX, UT, VA.
   
• Full Premium Salad: Turkey Chop (380 calories, 20 g fat) at Salad Creations. Locations in CA, FL, IL, MI, MT, NY, TX, VA and WI.

MORE FROM HEALTHY DINING FINDER: Help Your Kids Eat Healthy at Restaurants