Cooking with the Top 5 Fall Powerfoods

1. Apples: The fiber and the phyto ("plant") chemicals in an apple peel have been shown to lower cholesterol
2. Grapes: A naturally nutritious and low calorie fruit, grapes are packed with potassium, which helps regulate the heart.
3. Pears: Rich in potassium and the antioxidant vitamin C, pears also provide more than half of the daily recommended value for fiber.
4. Pumpkins: This vitamin A rich fruit protects against heart disease. Choose a smaller pumpkin over a larger one for a sweeter taste.
5. Winter Squash: Chock full of vitamin A and available in many colors and shapes, common varieties of winter squash include acorn, butternut, and hubbard.

Cooking Tip: To get all of the lycopene benefits of a tomato, the fruit (yes, it's a fruit) must be cooked, canned, or processed (a raw tomato has just a fraction of the antioxidant content). Looking to add something new to the grill? Try grilling a tomato for bruschetta.