Apples are also great for those trying to lose weight, because they’re low in calories and fat free. Also, their high fiber content helps you feel fuller, longer. I recommend eating apples with the skin on, because about half of an apple’s vitamin C content is found in its skin.

Apples also make an ideal product for whitening teeth, due to their astringent properties. Apples, and other crunchy produce, like celery, and carrots act like tiny little toothbrushes while chewed.

When choosing apples, or any other produce at your local grocers, I recommend you learn how to read the produce PLU code. Most people don’t know that this code tells you a lot about your fruits and vegetables. PLU stands for price look up, and is a series of numbers found on tiny stickers affixed to the fruit or vegetable.

If there are four numbers in the code, the produce was conventionally grown. That is, the produce was grown with chemical inputs. Not the best for you. If the number in the code begins with 8, there will be a series of five numbers. This means that the produce was genetically engineered. Stay away from those. If the PLU code begins with the number 9, it will also be in a series of five numbers. That means that the produce was organically grown; choose those.

I recommend  you become  a label reader. Pay attention to how your food was grown, processed, and from where it comes. You’ll not only enjoy your food more, but you’ll be healthier for it.

Diet or exercise question? Email me at dwcrocker77@gmail.com or visit fitness4yourlife.org. David Crocker of Landrum has been a nutritionist and master personal trainer for 26 years. He has served as strength director of the Spartanburg Y.M.C.A., head strength coach for the USC-Spartanburg baseball team, S.C. state champion girls gymnastic team and the Converse college equestrian team. David was also a regular guest of the Pam Stone radio show.