Currently Craving: Bananas
Why I crave bananas and you should too!
Bananas seem to get a bad rap for being high in calories, sugars, and carbohydrates, but really they are one of the best foods for you. Bananas are loaded in magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and of course, potassium, making this fruit a serious health booster.
Their potassium and magnesium combination can:
- lower blood pressure, helping to reduce your risk of heart disease
- keep your bones healthy and fight against osteoporosis
Their vitamin C helps to:
- strengthen your immune system to fight off colds
- boost your collagen production to keep your skin fresh and plump
Their B6 and magnesium helps:
- improve cognition and fight off premature cognitive decline
- boost your mood, reduce irritability, and help combat stress
They are also a great source of fiber, providing 3 grams per banana (about 12% of your daily needs) that promotes gut health, lowers cholesterol, and helps to prevent diabetes.
Peel + Eat
Make bananas a part of your daily plan by eating them for 1 of your 2 daily fruit servings. Pair them with a little protein and you have the perfect snack. I love to eat them with 2 tablespoons of nut butter or nuts. You can also slice them up and add them to your plain Greek yogurt with some hemp hearts or try this smoothie. Have a banana solo for the ultimate pre-workout snack since their easily digestible carbohydrates will give you a quick boost of energy. Post-workout, bananas are a great way to restore the potassium you lost during that sweat session.
So why the bad reputation?
Bananas contain about 14 grams of natural sugar, because fruit, which has seemed to cause the false alarm. Their naturally occurring sugar along with those essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber is what makes this fruit a healthy choice. The fiber actually slows down your body’s absorption of sugar, preventing spikes in your blood sugar that occur when you drink juice, soda, or eat sweets. Yes, if you overeat ANY food, you will gain weight. (Here are some tips to help with that!) But if you keep your daily fruit intake to two servings a day and make 1 of them a banana, you will come out way ahead of the health game.
For more of my nutritional superfood picks and wellness weapons, make an appointment and get your very own list of all my favorite foods, brands, and products!
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