Have you seen those “5 Foods You Should Never Eat” banana and belly fat ads on the Internet? The visual and statement implies that you should not eat bananas and that bananas are the cause of your belly fat! Well, that ad campaign is working. Someone actually said to me yesterday “Bananas aren’t good for you.” What! If you think this way, read on!
Some claim that bananas are “the perfect food”. They come in a convenient wrapper and they grow from a tree. They were not processed in a factory, have a bar code label, or a list of ingredients you can’t pronounce. Bananas are a whole food. When you eat whole foods, your body processes that food the way nature intended.
I think what this “banana” person I encountered yesterday meant was that eating bananas might not be good for someone who is trying to lose weight; but even that I can’t agree with.
Yes, bananas have more carbohydrate and sugar than some other fruit choices, but with the benefits to your health and body, it is just not true that they are “not good for you!”
Nutritionally bananas are low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. They are a good source of dietary fiber, Vitamin C, potassium and manganese, and a very good source of Vitamin B6. They are packed with a wide variety of vitamins and minerals and even some protein.
Fruits, including bananas, provide plenty of soluble dietary fiber, which helps to ward off cholesterol and fats from the body and helps in regular elimination. We need antioxidants from fruits to fight free radicals for our good health and to prevent both chronic diseases (such as arthritis, atherosclerosis, diabetes and cancer) and other signs of aging, such as the loss of skin elasticity and cognitive function.
All fruits, including bananas are alkalizing to the body based on their antioxidant properties. Basically, fruits play a part in helping prevent oxidization so we don’t end up like a rusty machine that creeks and doesn’t function, and breaks down.
True, a large portion of the calories in bananas comes from sugars and that is why we love them so much as a sweet treat. Sugar is what provides our bodies with energy. Any sugars that we are not using as energy however will convert into stored fat in our bodies. So being aware of portion sizes, in what combination and form you eat fruit, and being mindful of what you are craving and when, is important to any weight loss plan.
Add a half of a banana sliced into oatmeal with a few walnuts for added protein (although the oatmeal has protein too), or even processed in a smoothie as the “sweet” element. The dietary fiber helps us feel full. Unlike chips that you can’t stop eating, you probably can’t sit down and eat a few bananas in one sitting – that’s the fiber. If you did you might find yourself swinging from a tree.
Please don’t be afraid to eat bananas! They are good for you.