Isn’t there a lot of sugar in fruit? I hear this question all the time. And people are really terrified of eating bananas. Maybe it was those internet ads showing a cartoon of belly fat and bananas convincing those with a bit of belly fat to stop eating bananas.
But banana’s might be one of our most perfect foods. 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. And this goes for all whole fruits.
I think what people mean when they ask about sugar in fruit is that it’s not be a good choice for someone who is trying to lose weight; but I can’t agree with that either.
Yes, fruit does contain sugar, a carbohydrate, and some fruits contain more sugar than others (like bananas, tropical fruits, cherries, grapes, etc.), but with the benefits to your health and body, it is just not true that fruits should be avoided.
Nutritionally fruit is low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium and a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and even some protein. The fiber in fruits helps to keep cholesterol and fats in check and helps with regular elimination. We need antioxidants from fruits to fight free radicals for good health and to prevent 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 are alkalizing to the body because of their antioxidant properties. Basically, fruits play a part in helping prevent oxidization so we don’t end up like a rusty machine that creeks, doesn’t function, and breaks down.
True, a large portion of the calories in fruits come 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 fruit! Your healthy, disease-free body will thank you.