An Apple a Day" as the old saying goes is indeed good for your health. Apples are truly a wonder fruit and are also one on your infants first foods. One of the most important nutritional components of Apples is that they contain two types of fiber; insoluble fiber and soluble fiber.

Both the insoluble fiber in apples and their soluble fiber pectin help relieve constipation (thus helping to prevent diverticulosis and colon cancer. The insoluble fiber works like roughage, while the soluble fiber (pectin), which is found primarily in the skin, acts as a stool softener.

While the study of apples' health benefits is still in very early stages, research to date suggests that apples and apple nutrients may play a role in promoting human health in a number of ways, including: promoting cardiovascular health by lowering LDL cholesterol and inhibiting LDL oxidation, and reducing the risk of certain types of stroke; maintaining a healthy weight, as part of a low-fat, fiber-rich diet; promoting lung health, by countering the effects of oxidative damage; promoting prostate, liver and colon health, by inhibiting the growth of related cancer tumors; and promoting bone health, by providing a good source of the dietary mineral boron 1

Apples are a great choice for one of an infant's first food. They are easy to prepare, easy to digest and are full of nutrients. Apples are also very versatile and may be added to almost any baby recipe you find. You can mix apples with veggie purees, with meat purees and use them in teething biscuit recipes, in healthy cake recipes, in yogurt and mixed with other fruits also. Apples are also great when frozen and used as a teething reliever when added to a Baby Safe Feeder. Applesauce is a great substitute for oil in many baked goods recipes. Please ensure that these recipes are age appropriate for YOUR baby! Substitute ingredients as needed. Check out the nutritional value of Apples below:

The Goodness of Apples: (one medium)

VITAMINS:
Vitamin A - 73 IU
Vitamin C - 9 mg
Folate (important during pregnancy) - 4 mcg
Vitamin E - .66 IU

MINERALS:
Potassium - 158 mg
Calcium - 9.5 mg
Phosphorus - 9.5 mg
Magnesium - 7 mg
Selenium - .4 mg
Also contains small amounts of iron, manganese, copper and zinc.

*Not all of these recipes will be appropriate for some infants due to an infants age

Apple Purée/Applesauce
1/2 cup water
5 medium apples, cored, peeled, and diced pinch of cinnamon if desired

Combine all ingredients in large saucepan and bring to a gentle boil Lower heat and simmer until "sauce" like consistency is achieved; ensure that you check on the liquid level! Mash, strain and puree the resulting "sauce" as needed May be frozen in ice cube trays for baby food cubes

Apple Grain Breakfast Salad

3 cups water
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup quick-cooking brown rice
3/4 cup bulgur
1 Granny Smith apple
1 Red Delicious apple
1 orange or 1 large peach
1 cup raisins
1 container (8-ounce) low fat vanilla or plain yogurt

1. In large pot, heat water and salt to boiling over high heat. Add rice and bulgur; reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside, covered 2 minutes. Spread hot grains on baking sheet to cool (this will make them fluffier). Grains can be prepared the night before and kept refrigerated.

2. Just before serving, prepare fruit: Core and chop apples; peel orange and cut into sections. Add apples, orange or peach, and raisins to grain mixture. Stir in yogurt to coat grains and fruit. Sprinkle with wheat germ.

Apple Smoothie

2 C applesauce
1 C 100% apple juice or apple cider
1 C orange juice
2 T honey
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg

Place all ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth. Serve immediately, or keep chilled until serving time. Garnish with additional cinnamon, if desired. Makes 2 servings. from The Apple Cookbook

Apple Ice

5 cups peeled and sliced Granny Smith or Macintosh apples
1 cup water
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

1. In large saucepot, simmer apples, water, and sugar until apples are tender -- about 20 minutes. In food processor or blender, puree mixture until smooth; stir in lemon zest.

2. Transfer mixture to 8- or 9-inch metal pan and freeze until almost solid. Return to food processor of blender and puree until chunks break up and mixture is fluffy. Refreeze until firm.

Apple Butter

4 pounds Granny Smith or Macintosh apples, peeled, cored and quartered,
1 cup water
1 cup apple cider
Brown sugar as needed
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon allspice
Grated rind and juice of 2 lemons

Cook the apples in the liquid until soft. Pass through a food mill. Add 1/2 cup brown sugar for each cup of puree. Add the spices, rind and lemon juice and cook over very low heat until thick and dark brown. This may take 3 to 4 hours. If not to be used within a week or two, pour into hot sterilized jars and seal tightly