Kids Love Apple -- Top 5 Simple & Healthy Apple Snacks

A recent study has found that of all fruits that kids consume and love to eat, apples top the list.

According to HealthDay, a new study has found that apples account for almost 20 percent of all fruits that are consumed by U.S. kids and young adults, and is their favorite. With apple juice intake counted, the amount of apple consumption goes higher.

"Apples and apple juice alone account for 30 percent of total fruit intake," said study author Kirsten Herrick, a senior service fellow with the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics in Hyattsville, Maryland.

Published in the journal Pediatrics, the study analyzed data from more than 3,100 youth, aged 2 to 19 years old, in the 2011 to 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Older kids responded to interviewers' questions regarding their food intake for the past 24 hours, while younger kids had proxies answer survey questions for them.

“My ultimate goal was to understand what kids are eating,” said Herrick, via Reuters.

It was found that kids eat an average 1.25 cups of fruit per day on average, of which 90 percent comes from whole fruit (53 percent), or pure fruit juices (34 percent). Mixed dishes containing fruit or fruit drinks with a lower fruit content composed the rest of the total amount of daily fruit consumed. Almost half of the total fruit consumed per day was made up of apples, apple juice, citrus juice and bananas.

When genders and social statuses were considered, no differences have been found. However, there are racial differences in consumption: Black kids are less likely to eat whole fruit and more likely to drink fruit juice, while Asians consume the most whole fruit and least fruit juice in all races.

Although kids consume apples, the results don't say if this is good news or not. "[Apples are] a good fruit option, but there are a rainbow of fruits to consider that offer a variety of different minerals and vitamins," Herrick said. The researchers emphasized that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables is linked with a healthier condition: healthier weight levels, and decreased risks for various diseases.

To encourage your kids to eat more apples, mom.me suggests serving apples with:

1) Tahini and Honey - Tahini complements apples. Try drizzling with honey.

2) Soft cheese - serve apple wedges with brie or triple cream cheeses spread on top.

3) Biscoff spread - serve Jonagold apples with this addictive spread made from cookies.

4) Turkey slices - slice Granny Smith apples in circles and serve with turkey slices.

5) Maple Almond Butter - sweeten some almond butter with a little maple syrup to make a perfect dip for apples.