You might be surprised at what the humble apple can do for you. It’s got a plethora of vitamins and minerals including potassium, several B vitamins and Vitamin A. For about 95 calories, you can get a lot of the nutrients you need on a daily basis.
Fiber: It has been pounded into us that we need to eat fiber to stay regular and help prevent absorption of too much fat and cholesterol. An average apple has almost four and a half grams of fiber. Considering the low calorie count, it makes an ideal means of increasing intake.
Diarrhea: If you’re a parent, you know that applesauce is one of the foods recommended for toddlers dealing with diarrhea. What you might not know is that it can help adults as well. In fact, a raw apple is much better, because it lacks the sugar found in applesauce.
This has been known by housewives for ages, but has also been used in hospitals and other locations. The apple is cored, then grated. You can use a food processor with a fine grating disk, or you can use a hand grater. It is important that the pieces be small. If the patient objects to the sour flavor, a little sugar can be added, but it’s best not to do so.
Nausea: The fiber content may be the benefit, but it is thought that some constituent may also deal with chemical problems causing nausea. Some women have avoided morning sickness with the use of apples throughout their pregnancy.
Apple Cider Vinegar: This is a popular means of dealing with both diarrhea and nausea. The biggest problem is the taste. As a cook, I’ve tasted various types of vinegar so I would know how and when to use them. You are not going to get a child to swallow it, period, end of story. If you’re nauseous, it is more likely to increase that to vomiting. There are capsules, but to be very honest, the fresh, raw apple is a much better idea.
There are things that can make both diarrhea and nausea a medical emergency. Children, especially, tend to dehydrate quickly. An apple is great for minor problems, but not the answer if the diarrhea is severe, there is blood in it or if there is copious vomiting. Under these circumstances, you may need the emergency room a lot more than an apple.
Apples are nutritious and low in calories. They offer a lot of benefits, and can be a good part of a healthy diet.