“Why write about the benefits of eating applesauce? You’ve gotta be kidding! You either like it or you don’t. Applesauce isn’t new. Applesauce has been around for centuries. There’s nothing exciting about applesauce. On the other hand, there’s nothing wrong with applesauce. It might even be good for you, sure. But tell me something I don’t already know.”
I don’t know if that’s what you think when you see a post on applesauce. If so, sorry – but not sorry! The point of this website is to call attention to very simple, healthy, and inexpensive foods and/or approaches to eating that might be overlooked, because they’re just SO basic! And applesauce clearly fits that description.
Only Unsweetened…
I’m only going to be referring to unsweetened applesauce in this article – or at the least, applesauce that has been sweetened with non-caloric sweetener. Sweetened applesauce – that is, applesauce sweetened with sugar – loses some of its nutritional value because of all the negative effects sugar has on our bodies, leading to diabetes and a host of other health issues. But applesauce made without sugar is great for our health!
The Health Benefits of Applesauce
Applesauce is full of fiber. Pectin is one of the natural soluble fibers found in applesauce. It slows down the absorption of sugar, which prevents rapid spikes and crashes in blood glucose levels. This makes applesauce a fantastic addition to the diet for people who have diabetes, want to prevent diabetes or are trying to manage their blood sugar levels. In addition, fiber has all the normal digestive value that has come to be associated with fiber, promoting regularity and helping to prevent constipation, colon cancers, and all those other not-so-good digestive conditions.
Applesauce is rich in nutrients. Applesauce retains the majority of nutrients found in whole apples. As mentioned above, it’s a great source of dietary fiber. Additionally, applesauce contains essential vitamins such as vitamin C, providing a boost to your immune system, and various B vitamins that are crucial for energy production.
Applesauce is low in calories and fat. For those who are trying to watch their weight and calorie intake, applesauce is a fantastic option. It’s naturally low in calories and fat. In fact, it’s safe to say it has no fat – and you could eat a lot of applesauce before you would have to think much about calories. One cup of unsweetened applesauce has 103 calories. One cup!! So you can definitely enjoy its awesomely sweet taste without taking in excessive amounts of the “c’s!”
Applesauce is naturally sweet. It’s no trial to eat unsweetened applesauce, it still tastes great! Which is great in itself. One of the significant benefits of applesauce lies in its natural sweetness. You can use it in recipes to add sweetness without adding an excessive amount of sugar – so it’s a healthier alternative to sugar in baking and cooking. Applesauce is great in muffins, pancakes and sauces, for example.
Applesauce contains antioxidants. Antioxidants are crucial for your overall health. Oxidative stress has been linked to chronic diseases and aging. Applesauce includes vitamin C and various phytonutrients, which help combat oxidative stress in the body. Regularly eating applesauce can contribute to reducing the risk of chronic diseases. These same antioxidants can be great for maintaining youthful skin, since skin aging is one of the results of oxidative stress.
Applesauce is easy to digest. It’s gentle on the stomach, which makes it an ideal food for individuals with sensitive stomachs, digestive issues, or people recovering from illness. Applesauce is great for infants and elderly people who have difficulty chewing and swallowing! Or if that’s not you, how about this…
Applesauce is amazing for taking pills! This is my own personal good use for applesauce. I always keep applesauce on hand to take my handful of daily vitamins. They just “slurp” down like nobody’s business, as the expression goes – even a whole handful of pills at a time. So if pill-swallowing is difficult for you, applesauce could be a lifesaver!
Applesauce is Budget-Friendly
It’s one of the cheaper foods, especially if you buy it in large quantities. It’s also not difficult to make and freeze. You don’t have to have perfect apples to make applesauce! Nobody needs to know what kind of apples went into your applesauce. They might have had spots, who cares?! Don’t put rotten apples in, of course – applesauce is not quite that forgiving. But “seconds,” or slightly over-ripe, extra small, extra large, or misshapen, the applesauce is still great!
A Simple Unsweetened Applesauce Recipe
Here’s a simple recipe for unsweetened applesauce.
Ingredients:
- 6-8 apples
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice (optional)
- Wash, peel, and core the apples, and cut them into small chunks or slices.
- Place in a saucepan and add water and lemon juice.
- Cover saucepan and cook over low to medium heat for 15-20 minutes until apples are soft and mashable with a fork.
- Mash with a potato masher or blend in a food processor.
- Add water as needed to reach the desired consistency.
- Let applesauce cool and transfer to an airtight container or place food storage bags.
- Freshly made applesauce can be stored in the refrigerator for a week or frozen to keep longer.
Conclusion
So there you have it. A very simple, old-fashioned, healthful, and budget-friendly food that you should definitely include on a regular basis in your diet! Of course, you could also just eat whole apples, they’re also great – but applesauce still retains much of the health value, and it’s just simple and easy to eat, and extremely versatile.
If you have any questions or comments about applesauce in general (seriously!), or have come up with or know of good ways to use or incorporate applesauce into your diet, cooking, or baking, please feel free to share in the comments section below.
