How do you like them apples?

It happens almost every evening. I get a hankering…wandering into the kitchen in hopes of finding a snack that I know isn’t there…one that’s ready to eat, sweet and/or salty, somewhat decadent, and let’s be honest, of little nutritional value (oh dear, nutritional value…that’s a lengthy post for another day). I’m probably not actually hungry…just a bit bored, plus the routine of hunting for a snack is ingrained in my nighttime routine.

A few nights ago my craving had a bit more definition. I was certain I needed something fruity (read: not chocolate). I plodded into the pantry, opening cabinets and drawers where I knew I’d already eaten anything I might’ve stashed in the last few weeks. I wandered to the fridge…meh. Nobody would hide Skittles there. Then I turned to the counter where the avocados and lemons and apples reside and realized that apples are fruity…so fruity in fact, that one might call them fruit. I hesitantly approached the bowl…considering the possibility that I could enjoy biting into that apple as much as I might a handful of candy (that was no where to be found). I bravely took a bite…juicy, sweet, crunchy…nothing like Red Dye 40, and damn good. And I felt ridiculous.

Ridiculous that as a dietitian, as a health coach, as an athlete, this notion had not previously crossed my mind.

(Even worse, I’m certain that I’ve advised numerous clients over the years that a piece of fruit is a great snack option when craving something sweet.)

I share this because we are our own harshest critics (another long post for another day) and I know how hard most of us are on ourselves when we fail to eat the “right” way (oh dear, don’t get me started). In my 52 years on this planet, I’ve had a sweet tooth for about 50 of them, and am just now realizing I can address that craving in a new way with actual fruit…though I refuse to vilify Skittles or any other candy (fruity or not) because they can be delicious and delightful…and almost as good as an apple.