Adding Flavorful Nutrition with Michigan Apples
Apples bring unique flavor, health benefits to daily diet
LANSING, Mich. –The 2021 crop of Michigan grown apples is now being harvested, and with that, many solutions for home cooks, families and others seeking nutritious foods. Throughout the pandemic, an increasing number of Americans cooked and ate at home on a regular basis and discovered that eating at home with family provided many benefits including time together, affordability and nourishing meals.
Michigan Apple Committee and dietitian Shari Steinbach, MS, RDN are resources for new meal and recipe inspiration that includes the healthy benefits of nutrient-rich ingredients. According to the 2021 Food & Health Survey from the International Food Information Council (IFIC), participants were specifically looking for foods that would help them manage weight, provide energy and promote digestive health.
“There are endless possibilities for cooking with Michigan Apples and fall is the perfect time to try them in both sweet and savory dishes like salads, soups and sandwiches,” said Steinbach. “Michigan Apples can be added to meals and snacks in so many ways and they pump up the flavor while adding many nutritional benefits like complex carbohydrates for energy and fiber and phytonutrients that help promote both gut health and weight management.”
Even if you don’t have time to cook Michigan Apple Committee Official Dietitian Steinbach says you can find new and tasty ways to snack with Michigan Apples. She suggests:
- Mix up a quick fruit salad with 1 chopped Michigan Apple, a small can drained mandarin oranges, a sliced banana and top with toasted coconut.
- Cut a Michigan Apple in half, core, and fill with peanut butter.
- Add a finely chopped Michigan Apple to a jar of prepared salsa. Serve with whole grain tortilla chips.
- Dip Michigan Apple slices in vanilla Greek yogurt and sprinkle with granola.
- Top whole grain crackers with 2% sharp cheddar cheese and Michigan Apple slices.
“Shari brings great solutions for busy people who want to provide their families with great tasting, healthy foods,” said Diane Smith, executive director of Michigan Apple Committee. “She is a great partner for us, with her blog on our website that shares recipes, health tips, meal plans and more.”
Shari’s Healthy Living blog can be found at MichiganApples.com/Healthy-Living/Healthy-Living-Blog. In her latest post, Shari includes ways to cook with apples on the grill, in oven, on the stove, even in the microwave!
The Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to marketing, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption in Michigan and around the world. For more information, visit www.MichiganApples.com.
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