An Apple a Day, the Tim Hortons Way
If this is your idea of “an apple a day,” Mr. Tim Hortons or my dear readers, I strongly urge you to reconsider.
For starters, the “apple” is in the bagel somewhere, which means it’s not really an apple. It might be more like apple puree or apple juice, or maybe even, an apple-flavored something. That’s not the same as an apple.
An apple is a fruit. It grows on a tree. It tastes delicious all by itself. It is full of vitamins and nutrients such as 5% of your recommended daily allowance of potassium and 14% of your daily vitamin C. It also gives you 17% of your daily fiber needs.
I’m not so sure we can say the same for your bagel, Mr. Horton. In fact, ‘et’s just take a look at what’s in there.
Tim Horton’s – Carmel Apple Bagel
Calories | 340 | Sodium | 520 mg |
Total Fat | 4 g | Potassium | 0 mg |
Saturated | 1 g | Total Carbs | 68 g |
Polyunsaturated | 0 g | Dietary Fiber | 3 g |
Monounsaturated | 0 g | Sugars | 17 g |
Trans | 0 g | Protein | 9 g |
Cholesterol | 0 mg | ||
Vitamin A | 0% | Calcium | 6% |
Vitamin C | 0% | Iron | 20% |
I have bold-faced the two red flags.
- There is over 20% of your recommended daily allowance of sodium, or salt, in this single bagel. That’s a problem.
- There are 17 grams of sugar as well. The World Health Organization recommends that teenagers eat no more than 24 grams per day of added sugar. That’s 6 teaspoons. In this bagel, you’re already over halfway there.
The big takeaway here is that this is not a healthy breakfast choice. It’s not even a healthy snack. It’s just a hot mess. I would classify it as dessert, for sure.
It’s always worth remembering that companies are trying to sell you their products. End of discussion. They will make it sound “healthy” if that’s what it takes. They will make it sound “fun” if that’s what it takes. And they will make it “seasonal” to lure you in.
Needless to say, your daily fruits and veggies should be whole foods. They should grow on a tree or out of the earth. Don’t accept fake substitutes for the real thing!