“Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.” While you’ve probably never heard this expression, you’ve probably heard the proverb it inspired — “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

While we can’t exactly guarantee that eating an apple each day will forever help you to avoid visiting the doctor, there may be a bit more truth to that statement than we thought. One 2011     study found that regular consumption of apples could decrease your risk of a stroke. Another study found that middle-aged adults who ate at least one apple a day had lower levels of bad cholesterol. But regardless of what these studies suggest, there’s no denying that apples are part of a well-balanced diet, that’s why we’re sharing a few tips and recipes that will help you incorporate more apples into your diet.

Breakfast

Apple Wheat Muffins

From apple pie to apple cobbler, there’s no denying that apples make delicious baked goods. If you’re looking for something naturally sweet to kick-start your morning, look no further than apple wheat muffins. This tasty mixture of cinnamon, ginger, sea salt, yogurt, and of course, apples, will make even those of us who, let’s just say, aren’t exactly morning people, smile.

In Cereal

Don’t have time to cook up an entire meal? Chop up a few apple slices and throw them into your cereal. It may not be the most creative way, but it’ll get the job done!

Lunch

Apple Tuna Salad

Take a break from your regular chopped salad and try dressing it up a bit with apple chunks and tuna. Really impress your lunch pals by throwing apple slices on the grill the night before. Just a few minutes on each side and your apples will caramelize to sweet, tasty perfection!

Apple “Butter”

Peanut butter’s lesser-known cousin, apple butter, is a delicious spread that you can put on anything from whole wheat toast to apple slices themselves.

Applesauce

Why is it that once we leave our toddler years, most of us stop eating applesauce? We say it’s time to bring it back! Just adding a few scoops of applesauce as a side to your lunch, or as a mid-day snack can help you reap the many benefits of apples.

Dinner

Pork and Apples

Nothing says Fall quite like this warm, spicy, and sweet recipe. Throw some mashed potatoes and string beans on the side and you’ve got a dinner that the whole family will love — even the kids!

Chicken and Apple Pasta Salad

Chicken and apples probably aren’t the first thing that pops into your mind when you think of popular food pairings, but trust us, they’re delicious together! And not only is it tasty, but it’s incredibly inexpensive to make, especially when you buy the chicken in bulk and freeze it.

Dessert

Apple Pudding

Served hot or cold, apple pudding is the perfect dessert for when you’re in a time-crunch. And while its delicious mix of butter, cream, apple chunks, and lemon are apple pudding staples, you can always dress it up with different types of apples, cinnamon, nuts, and vanilla.

Drinks

Apple-Infused Water

Fruit-infused water has been a major trend lately, as people are looking for more and more ways to skip the soda and energy drinks. Whether you choose to just add apples or throw in a few additional fruits, fruit-infused water will always quench your thirst.

Iced Apple Tea

Mix together a few tea bags, some hot water, a cup of fresh apple juice, and a hint of lemon and you’ve got yourself a tasty, low-calorie drink that will surely get you in the Fall spirit.

As always, one of the best ways to incorporate more apples into your diet is by just getting your hands on some delicious apples and biting into them. And when you’re looking for something a little sweeter, look no further than Fruit Bouquets for our delicious toffee-coated apple wedges