Are bananas actually healthy?
A question I get on a regular basis: Are bananas actually healthy?
The answer: Absolutely.
This fruit has gotten a bad rap for being high in sugar and calories compared to other fruits.
Yes, a large banana contains about 120 calories and 17 grams of sugar, but when limiting sugars in your diet, you want to limit added sugars like those found in soda, baked goods, and candy.
I promise you're not going to get fat from eating too many bananas.
Bananas are actually healthy. They contain about 490mg of potassium (in a large banana), an electrolyte that governs heart rate and nerve and muscle function. And, they contain about 15% of your daily fiber needs.
Bananas also have about one-third of your daily vitamin B6 requirements, which helps regulate homocysteine (an amino acid) levels in you blood, essential fordecreasing your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Plus, naturally occurring sugar, like fructose, found in bananas is a great fuel source & contrary to what many fear & believe, doesn’t cause some sort of wild, rapid weight gain.
When paired with healthy fats like chia, fortified protein & slower digesting oats, the natural sugars are broken down at a slower rate. In turn, keeping you feelingfuller longer and giving you sustained energy to power through the day 💪
Eating healthy isn't about sacrifice, its about enjoying your favorite flavors in a healthy way!
Some of my favorite ways to eat bananas are blending into a smoothie at home or at the smoothie bar, in my favorite fit-flavors snacks like the Strawberry Banana Parfait, Hawaiian Steel Cut Oats, and Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, freezing and pureeing into an ice-cream-like dessert, or topping toast with peanut butter and banana slices.
If you're still unsure if bananas are actually good for you, please respond to this email and I'd be happy to chat more about it with you.
Source: Fit Flavors - Allison Lesko, RD LD
