If it’s decadence without the disadvantages you’re craving, this delicious and healthy recipe is just what you are looking for. Delicious Loaded Apple Nachos recipe promises to satisfy those food cravings that are usually paired with unhealthy ingredients. You know which ones I’m talking about – those sweet, crunchy, chewy and buttery cravings. Simple to make and even more pleasurable to eat, these loaded apple nachos will become a favorite with both adults and children. In fact, Loaded Apple Nachos is perfect for every season of the year and will look beautiful on a summer picnic table as well as a Thanksgiving buffet!
Did you know that consuming two apples or more a day can assist in the prevention of colon, liver, breast, prostate, and lung cancer? Apples are particularly rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants. They have been shown to be helpful for neuro-degenerative concerns such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Apples also contain pectin which is a gel-like fiber that can prevent the putrefaction of protein in the digestive tract. Pectin works just like an intestinal broom to sweep out toxins from the colon.
Frequently I am asked about sugar in fruits in regard to blood sugar regulation. Certainly this is a valid concern because, after all, fruits are sweet. However, when we eat the edible portion of the fruit consuming all the synergistic components of the fruit, these components help with blood sugar regulation. With apples, we are mostly talking about polyphenols which are natural plant chemicals that work as antioxidants to protect the cells in your body from free radical damage. Apples contain an amazing supply of polyphenols and this is where it gets interesting. Research studies show polyphenols to be the favorite mechanism used by apples to protect themselves from UV-B radiation. Cells in the skin of apple that conduct photosynthesis are especially sensitive to UV-B light from the sun. Many of the polyphenols in the skin of apples can actually absorb UV-B light, and thereby prevent UV-B from damaging the photosynthetic cells in the apple skin. Polyphenols, then, are like the apple’s natural sunscreen. They also contain the amino acids glutamine and serine, which aid in detoxifying the brain of MSG. Other important benefits of apples include improving circulation in your lymphatic system, repairing damaged skin, and regulating blood sugar.
RELATED: Health Benefits of Apples
Delicious Loaded Apple Nachos Recipe
Serves: 3-4 people
INGREDIENT LIST
4 organic red or green apples or a mixture of both, wash thoroughly and slice
1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon
1/4 cup dried cranberries (or golden raisins)
1/4 cup walnuts or pecans finely chopped (optional) or sliced almonds
¼ cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
2 tbsp organic almond butter
Fresh lemon or lime juice
HEALTHY DATE CARAMEL INGREDIENT LIST (vegan and gluten free)
9 medjool dates (as plump and fresh as you can find)
1/4 cup unsweetened almond or coconut milk
1/2 cup purified water
1/8 tsp Himalayan salt
1/2 tsp alcohol free organic vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
- Prepare lemon or lime juice in a large bowl. Place sliced apples in the bowl and quickly mix them with the juice. Set aside. A great tip for keeping fruits such as apples and bananas from turning dark in color after you cut them is to toss the fruit in lemon or lime juice immediately after you cut them. Best of all, somehow you cannot taste the lemon or lime juice!
- Prepare the date caramel by blending the dates, almond milk, Himalayan salt, water and vanilla in a high powered blender until very smooth. If needed, add a bit more purified water or nut milk to help the blending process or to thin the caramel. Set aside.
- Arrange the apples on a serving plate and drizzle with the almond butter. You can use a pastry/piping bag or a ziploc bag to drizzle the almond butter.
- Sprinkle cinnamon, cranberries and walnuts on top. You may also add golden raisins, chopped pecans, chocolate chips and/or sliced almonds.
- Drizzle entire creation with the date caramel mixture.
- Enjoy!!!
NOTE: Loaded Apple Nachos is best when ingredients are fresh and when served as soon as it is made. If dates are dry or hard, you can soak them in purified water for about 30 minutes, drain and then use them in the recipe. If you’re using smaller dates, you’ll need to use more. This is something you can play around with to get the caramel sauce thickness you’re looking for.
More Health Benefits of Apples
- 4 grams of fiber per medium apple
- pectin helps to detoxify digestive tract
- lowers risk of death from heart disease
- lowers risk of stroke
- anti-inflammatory properties
- lowers cholesterol levels
- low in calories
- lowers metabolic syndrome
- lowers C-reactive protein
- boosts exercise endurance
- may help prevent Alzheimer’s
- contains phloridzin
- increases bone density
- helps with weight loss
- rich in polyphenols
- cleans teeth & gums
- supports healthy eyesight
- lowers asthma risk
- vitamin C source
- lowers lung cancer risk
- lowers colon cancer risk
- decreases insulin need
Incorporating healthy recipes like Loaded Apple Nachos, into your diet is important for good health and well-being. While it’s not always easy to eat healthy at every meal, I have found that when we cook at home and eat out only occasionally, preparing healthy recipes becomes easier and eventually the norm. As you find healthy recipes that you and your family like, print them out and make a notebook of healthy recipes just for your family. Or keep your healthy recipes on your computer/ipad in a specific folder so they can be easily found. Make notes of what choices in ingredients that your family likes or dislikes. Make your grocery list according to your recipe ingredients. Try to find organic or locally grown ingredients. At first this may seem a bit cumbersome and even frustrating, but as you do it more and more it will become a habit. Preparing your own health meals at home will also pay off in huge dividends, not only in your budget, but also in your overall health. And possibly, you will find that you spend less time in the doctor’s office.
RESEARCH
Hanhineva K, Törrönen R, Bondia-Pons I et al. Impact of Dietary Polyphenols on Carbohydrate Metabolism. Int J Mol Sci. 2010; 11(4): 1365-1402. 2010.
Solovchenko A and Schmitz-Eiberger M. Significance of skin flavonoids for UV-B-protection in apple fruits. J. Exp. Bot., Aug 2003; 54: 1977 – 1984. 2003.
