Does Anyone Eat Applesauce Anymore?

msimpson01/ iStock / Getty Images Plus
msimpson01/ iStock / Getty Images Plus

I want to write about applesauce, because it reminds me of my horse, Ellie, who liked it. In fact, she loved it. Just recently, she hadn’t been feeling well. She was an older mare, and keeping weight on her wasn’t easy. So I looked for comfort foods. I watched her neighbor Buddy across the aisle eat his applesauce with lots of enthusiasm, so I decided to try some. She loved it! I immediately went and bought a large jar of Mott’s applesauce.

I realize it’s been around forever. In fact, the company was founded in 1842 by Samuel R. Mott in Bouckville, NY. It was around when I was a kid, and it brings back memories of growing up.

Now, an adult and a registered dietitian, I immediately checked the nutrition label. It’s low in calories — only 70 for a serving and 50 for the low-calorie version. I admit that most of the carbohydrates come from sugar (if you buy the natural version, you avoid high fructose corn syrup), but the good news is that there is no fat, no sodium and no cholesterol. It’s also portable, coming in those handy snack packs to take with you anywhere. It doesn’t have to be refrigerated or heated. And did I mention that it’s cheap and can be found just about anywhere? No fancy stores required.

I know that eating applesauce isn’t really cool. It’s not Greek yogurt — high in protein and other nutrients — and it doesn’t tout probiotics, trendy vitamins and minerals or omega-3. It’s not the ever-popular quinoa, which we all know is good for you (and took me a few times to learn to pronounce). But applesauce tastes really good, goes down easily, and is the perfect comfort food. (Incidentally, it can also replace melted butter and oil in baking for a lower-fat product.)

Young and old like it, and even better, Ellie loved it. She even nickered when I brought out that old-fashioned jar and started scooping some up for her. She felt better for a time and even started putting on weight, thanks to good ol’ Mott’s. Sadly she took a turn for the worse and we had to say goodbye to her, but we know that applesauce brightened the last of her days. It really is a comfort food.

By the way, did I mention that my goldendoodle’s name is Motts? Applesauce, as you see, will forever hold a special place in my heart. Thanks, Ellie, for 20 years of fun and great memories. I will miss you and think of you often.

Monica Joyce on Twitter
Monica Joyce
Monica Joyce, MS, RD, LDN, CDE, is a local and national speaker to health care professionals on diabetes and co-author of the book, Too Busy to Diet. Follow her on Twitter.