Baked apples are a comforting, old-fashioned dessert that can be served plain or dressed up with butter, sugar, cinnamon and whipped cream. More complicated preparations add fat and calories, but eating a simple baked apple offers a variety of benefits: low calories, macronutrients, vitamins and minerals.
LOW IN CALORIES
A 1-cup serving of baked apple introduces 112 calories into your meal plan, quite a low amount, which makes it ideal for a reduced-calorie diet. If you limit your calorie consumption to 2,000 calories per day, the amount of calories in this sweet dish accounts for 5.6 percent of your daily allowance. A serving of baked apples may be a good snacking option; between-meal snacks are best kept to between 100 and 200 calories, according to TheDietChannel.com.
CARBOHYDRATES AND FIBER
Eating baked apples provides carbohydrates and fiber for your diet. One cup of baked apple contains 9 g carbohydrates, a small amount compared to the 225 to 325 g of this macronutrient required for good health, according to MayoClinic.com; however, even a small quantity of carbohydrates boost energy. You also get 3 g fiber in each serving of this dish. You need up to 28 to 34 g of fiber daily. A study published in "Pharmacological Research" indicates that the soluble fiber available in apples improved the health of obese rats. Researchers theorize that apple fiber may prevent inflammation associated with metabolic diseases.
VITAMIN A
Baked apples boost your vitamin A intake. One serving of this sweet and savory dish contains 3 percent of the daily recommended intake of this vitamin. Vitamin A is particularly useful for protecting your eyesight; it may decrease your risk of vision degeneration brought on by age, as well as eye infections. Vitamin A is also good for your skin, teeth and mucus membranes.
IRON AND CALCIUM
Including baked apples in your meal plan helps you slightly supplement your intake of iron and calcium. One serving of apples provides 1 percent of the calcium your body requires daily to augment the strength of bones and teeth, as well as the function of your nerves. You also get 1 percent of the daily recommended intake of iron; iron intake helps provide your body with oxygen.
REFERENCES
- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/calories/homemade-baked-apple-slices-341011079
- http://www.thedietchannel.com/AskTheExpert/dieting-weightloss-obesity/Calories-Whats-an-ideal-daily-intake.htm
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/dietary-guidelines/art-20045584
- https://www.allaboutvision.com/nutrition/vitamin_a.htm
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21349333
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