That applesauce sitting on the store shelf looks like it would be a healthy food choice, until you inspect it closer to find that the ingredient list includes high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Unfortunately, just about all processed applesauce is sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, which is what you’ll find in the majority of supermarkets; even if the label says “all-natural.”
A “natural” applesauce can contain HFCS, since the rules say if it wasn’t used to “process” the apples but is added after processing, it can still be labeled “natural.”
However, there’s nothing “natural” about highly processed high fructose corn syrup. HFCS may start off as “natural” corn from a cornfield, but the process that it goes through to become HFCS is highly complex, even more so than turning oil into gasoline.
With apple picking season here now, why not consider making your own applesauce so that you and your family can avoid high fructose corn syrup as well as additives, preservatives and other chemicals that might be used.
By choosing the right apples, your applesauce will be so naturally sweet that you don’t even need to add sugar!
Choosing the right apples
Selecting the right apples is an important first step. You want sweet apples, not sour, which means Granny Smith apples are out.
Choose organic apples such as Red Delicious, Mutsu, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, Fuji, McIntosh, Gala or Yellow Delicious – and mix them up a bit – don’t use all of the same type. You can pick your own, buy them at the grocery store, or a local farmers’ market. Choosing organic apples is important in order to avoid pesticide exposure.
Making homemade applesauce
The only ingredients you need for making this healthy, delicious applesauce are apples, water, cinnamon, and 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice per 12 pounds of apples.
Wash, peel and core your apples (accomplished more easily if you have an apple corer). Place them in a pot and cover the apples about halfway with water. Bring them to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir frequently.
For a small batch, just use a potato masher to mash the apples to your desired consistency. For a larger batch you may want to use a food processor. Once this is done, add the lemon juice as well as cinnamon, to taste. Eight medium apples typically yield about one quart of applesauce.
Apples are packed with disease-fighting antioxidants that can help boost your immune system, curb many types of cancer, help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, decrease the risk of diabetes, support good heart health and much more.
This tasty applesauce provides all of these benefits that promote good health instead of harming it!
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://www.besthealthmag.ca/eat-well/nutrition/15-health-benefits-of-eating-apples
http://www.pickyourown.org/applesauce.htm
