The Paleo List Answers:IS APPLESAUCE PALEO?

We all know that fall brings about an onslaught of pumpkin everything, but let’s not forget fall’s original darling of the food industry: the apple. Crispy apples are certainly Paleo, but what about the thousands of things you can make with apples? Specifically, applesauce. Is it Paleo?

What is Applesauce?

There’s more than one way to skin a pig, right? Well, there’s more than one way to make applesauce. Simply put, applesauce is a puree of apples. To make it at home, most people stew the apples for several hours (or use a crockpot) and add flavorings such as cinnamon or nutmeg. Homemade applesauce often calls for apples without the peel, core, or seeds. Major commercial brands generally puree entire apples, don’t always stew them beforehand, and add color-preservers such as ascorbic acid.

A quick online search will provide a slew of articles telling you to avoid applesauce due to cyanide poisoning. Most of the major applesauce companies puree the whole apples, including the peels, seeds, and core, and apple seeds do contain trace amounts of cyanide. However, you would have to consumelots and lots of apple seeds (think about one full cup of seeds) in one sitting to get cyanide poisoning.

Is Applesauce Paleo?

Yes! Applesauce is Paleo! And it’s especially healthy if you make it yourself. You might not want to grab just any brand off the shelf though. There are two major things to look for. First, is anything added? Some brands will add sweeteners and color-preservers, but these items are completely unnecessary. You want UNSWEETENED applesauce.

The second thing: is it organic? If you’re buying a brand that uses the entire apple (remember, some do, some don’t), then it’s best to buy organic. Conventionally grown apples are on the dirty dozen list, meaning they’re among the top 12 most-sprayed (with pesticides) produce items. You can sometimes find brands that claim, “no seeds, stems, or peels.” In this case, you shouldn’t have to worry about pesticides in your food (just in the environment). Check out Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods 365 brands for really great prices on organic applesauce.

Are you struggling with which foods are Paleo?  Do you need help planning some Paleo meals?  Check out this great Paleo cookbook: