With a per capita consumption rate that exceeds that of apples and grapes combined, bananas have long been America’s favorite fruit. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that since about 1990, the average American has consumed close to 25 pounds of bananas a year.

In addition to the low calories and the high fiber, the acid found in apples makes them a smart choice for building and maintaining good health. In fact, apples are a rich source of ascorbic and malic acid.

They may cause you to shed a few tears, but Americans certainly do like their onions, eating 20 pounds per person in 2009, according to the National Onion Association. That's up 8 pounds since 1982. Both red and white onions are sweet and mild and make flavorful additions to a variety of dishes, both raw and cooked.

Although grapes don't make the "top eight" allergy list like more common allergens, such as milk, wheat and nuts, kids can develop a grape allergy. However, your child may not have a grape allergy but a reaction to other substances on the grapes.

A big baked potato with a dollop of sour cream and chives or laced with garlic and cheese is one of the sinful pleasures of dining. Roasting potatoes is one of the simplest tasks for the beginning cook to master.

Pomegranates have an antioxidant content three times higher than either green tea or red wine, according to a study published in 2000 in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry." Along with other nutritional benefits, that study has contributed to the perception that pomegranate is a super fruit.

It takes little more than water, time and sunshine to transform plump, juicy grapes into sweet, chewy raisins. That doesn’t mean you would have found people downing them by the handful in ancient Rome, where the dried fruit was a precious commodity used to pay taxes, reward top athletes and “cure” old age.

Nutrition experts concur in recommending eating garlic and onion in their raw forms to reap the greatest health benefits.

Table olives, often eaten as a garnish or as a food or salad topping, are the bitter fruit of the olive tree. Olives aren’t very palatable upon immediate harvest and are not usually eaten until they have been cured with salt and water.

Managing constipation in a baby can be difficult. A baby who becomes constipated has difficulty passing a bowel movement and stools become firm and dry. She may strain or grunt during the process and stools are often small.

Seaweed has been used for centuries in beauty and pharmaceutical products. It is sometimes used to treat conditions like metabolic syndrome and osteoarthritis. Seaweed is also a popular ingredient in many Asian dishes. Although rare, an allergy to seaweed can develop in some people when seaweed is eaten or touched.

Broccoli, part of the Brassica family, is considered a cruciferous vegetable. Along with cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and kale, broccoli is known for its high concentration of sulforaphane, a sulfur-containing compound with disease-fighting capabilities.