The first question you may be asking yourself is, what are hybrid foods? Well, any food that is considered a hybrid food is not something you will find growing in nature on its own. Hybrid foods are crossbred by humans to create a new version of that food. It sounds like a science experiment or like something that Doctor Frankenstein would be cooking up in his lab, right? Well, maybe it is or maybe it is a logical next step in gardening. Let’s find out!
Hybrid apples
There are several apple varieties that are actually hybrids! These apples include; Gala, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Pink Lady, and Macintosh! All of which you have likely heard of and/or tried.
Apples are one of the most well-loved fruits and they are a nutritional powerhouse! Being a hybrid apple doesn’t change that. Nutritionally speaking, apples are a top dog! The following table compares the nutritional values of each hybrid apple type previously mentioned.
| Nutrition facts | Gala | Fuji | Golden delicious | Red delicious | Pink lady | Macintosh |
| Calories | 130 | 130 | 90 | 80.1 | 130 | 90 |
| Total fat | 0g | 0g | 0g | 0g | 0g | 0g |
| Sodium | 0g | 0g | 10g | 0g | 0g | 10g |
| Carbs | 34g | 34g | 22g | 22g | 34g | 22g |
| Net carbs | 29g | 29g | 20g | 17.1g | 29g | 20g |
| Fiber | 5g | 5g | 2g | 4.9g | 5g | 2g |
| Glucose | 25g | 25g | 18g | 16g | 25g | 18g |
| Protein | 1g | 1g | 0g | 0g | 1g | 0g |
| Vitamin A | 3% | 3% | 100.1IU | 3% | ||
| Vitamin C | 13% | 13% | 8% | 13% | ||
| Calcium | 2% | 2% | 0% | 5% | 2% | 0% |
| Iron | 3% | 3% | 0% | 3% |
Hybrid corn
Hybrid corn is often produced to create a more durable crop. Typically, two types of corn seed (one male and one female) are cross produced. The result is a more durable and drought-resistant type of corn crop. This is especially important with the ever-changing climate patterns.
Nutritionally speaking, corn is a low-calorie food that is also incredibly diverse! Corn is great grilled as a whole cob, added into a burrito, or as a holiday side dish!
| Nutrition facts | Amount Per 3.5 ounces boiled yellow corn |
| Calories | 96 |
| Water | 73% |
| Protein | 3.4g |
| Carbohydrates | 21g |
| Sugar | 4.5g |
| Fiber | 2.4g |
| Fat | 1.5g |
Hybrid nuts
One of the most common hybrid nuts that you may not have known was a hybrid is the cashew! Cashews and other nuts are often cross-bred to increase the yield produced by a single crop.
Nutritionally speaking, cashews and other nuts are wonderful protein-packed snacks!
| Nutrition facts | Amount per ounce of cashews |
| Calories | 155 |
| Carbohydrates | 9.2g |
| Fiber | .9g |
| Sugar | 1.7g |
| Total fat | 12.3g |
| Omega-3 | 17.4mg |
| Omega-6 | 2179mg |
| Protein | 5.1g |
| Vitamin E | .3mg |
| Vitamin K | 9.5mcg |
| Niacin | .3mg |
| Folate | 7mcg |
| Calcium | 10.4mg |
| Iron | 1.9mg |
| Magnesium | 81.8mg |
| Phosphorus | 166mg |
| Potassium | 185mg |
| Sodium | 3.4mg |
| Zinc | 1.6mg |
| Selenium | 5.6mcg |
So, what are you really getting when you eat hybrid food?
As you can see, many foods that you possibly consume every single day of your life have actually been hybrids all along! Hybrid food is simply a result of two foods coming together with some encouragement from humans to create a new variety or more enhanced version of that food. So, when you pick up a Gala apple (which is a hybrid apple) you are still getting all of the wonderful vitamins and nutrients that are offered by apples! The same goes for the corn, and nuts! Hybrid foods are still good foods!
While it is true that these hybrid foods continue to offer nutritional benefits similar to heirloom foods, be sure to choose your produce carefully and from a reputable source!
