American nutritionists claim that apples are the perfect snack. The latest issue of U.S. "Reader's Digest" lists five reasons why apples are the perfect snack:
1. A low-calorie choice. An apple contains about 80 calories, making it the best snack in terms of portion size.
2. Stabilizes blood sugar. Eating one apple a day helps control blood sugar, greatly benefiting the body. Research has found that women who eat at least one apple a day have a 28% lower risk of type 2 diabetes than women who don't eat apples.
3. Provides dietary fiber. One medium-sized apple contains 4 grams of dietary fiber, mostly pectin, which helps lower cholesterol.
4. Reduces belly fat. A new study by Rio de Janeiro State University in Brazil found that eating three small apples a day helps women reduce belly fat and lose weight.
5. Three "substitutions." Substitute for dried fruit—add apple slices to oatmeal or other cereals. Substitute for fat—replace three-quarters of the fat in sweet breads, cakes, and brownies with an equal amount of unsweetened applesauce. Substitute for pickles—use apple slices instead of pickles in sandwiches. (Chen Xi)