Apples not only taste great but they also provide essential vitamins, minerals and fiber that help to protect from chronic diseases.llo, Hercules and Dionysus.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that we eat more fruits and veggies than any other food group − for adults, that´s 3½ to 6½ cups (7 to 13 servings) daily for better health. At least 2 of those 3½ to 6½ cups of fruits and veggies should be fruit. So what equals one cup of apples?

1 small apple
½ large apple
1 cup sliced, raw or cooked apples
½ cup of dried apples
1 cup of 100% apple juice or cider
1 cup of applesauce

So consider packing apples − or delicious apple products like juice and applesauce − for your family during:

Car trips
Beach/pool trips
Picnics
Summer camp lunches
Plane trips

Healthy and flavorful, apples maintain their freshness and crispness well. Keep a few at home in your family´s refrigerator, in your child´s lunch bag or picnic basket to make sure you always have a supply on hand.