Food Focus: Bananas
The banana is a fantastic source of fiber and vitamins, and it comes in its own natural, easy-to-open packaging!
It is the most commonly purchased fruit in the country and for a good reason!
Bananas are inexpensive, available all year round, and appeal to almost everyone.
The riper a banana is, the more its natural sugar is bio-available to the body. When eaten slightly green, it contains more prebiotic fiber. This is the type of fiber our good bacteria feed on!
If blood sugars are a concern, we recommend eating slightly green bananas since they have a higher amount of fiber to mitigate an increase in blood sugar or pair the banana with some protein.
Not only can a banana give you steady energy, but it is also high in the following vitamins and minerals:
- Potassium: Can regulate blood pressure and aid in heart health
- Vitamin B6: Improves mood and promotes brain health; it has also been found to help with fatigue caused by PMS
- Vitamin C: supports healthy immune system function and tissue repair
Even though bananas are incredibly popular, many people experience sensitivities toward them.
- Itching of throat and mouth
- Hives
- Swollen tongue
- Cramps
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
Endless Options
Ripe or unripe, alone or in recipes, there are plenty of ways to enjoy bananas!
You can have them as a fruit snack or add them to a smoothie.
If you feel creative, you can use bananas as a flour substitute in baked goods or pancakes!
Pan-frying banana slices with a drizzle of honey and cinnamon is a quick, easy dessert that can satisfy any sweet tooth - Enjoy!
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