Why I Adore Eating Bananas

 

I adore eating bananas, because they supply a host of health benefits, wear eye-catching bright yellow peels, and taste delicious any way they are served.

Fresh bananas are one of the world's most popular fruits and can be purchased year-round. 

In the U.S., each person eats, on average, 13.4 pounds (6 kilograms) of bananas per year. 

A 2021 survey reveals bananas are the most widely purchased fruit among U.S. consumers.

Look below and see why I adore eating bananas and simple, healthy ways to serve them.

Bananas are loaded with nutrients including potassium and vitamin B6. 

"One large banana is about 8- to 9-inches long and equal to one serving of fruit. It has about 120 calories and 490 milligrams of potassium. That’s 19% of a woman’s daily potassium needs and 15% of a man’s. 

Potassium can remove sodium from the human body and relax blood vessel walls, which helps manage blood pressure. 

Bananas are also a good source of vitamin B6, which is essential for the immune system, nervous system, and brain."

Bananas contain 8% of the DV of magnesium, another mineral that’s important for heart health.Trusted Trusted Source

Magnesium deficiency may be linked to an increased risk of heart disease, elevated blood pressure, and high levels of fats in the blood. 

Bananas are also a good source of prebiotics. Those are the carbs you don’t digest, but they’re a food source for the more-popular probiotics. Probiotics help support health promoting bacteria found in your gut. 

Probiotics can help reduce diarrhea people get after they take some antibiotics, reduce yeast and urinary tract infections (UTIs), treat some gastrointestinal infections, and ease irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Bananas are economical even in organic form, making them a thrifty fruit choice to add to meals and snacks.

Bananas are versatile, and their pleasing aroma, flavor, and texture makes banana recipes shine.

This golden yellow fruit is the color of sunshine and its color energy perks up mind, body, and spirit with increased optimism. 

A banana's golden yellow wrapper serves as an on-the-go care package for those who travel away from home. 

It's convenient to take a banana to work, school, the gym, or whenever you need a healthful, portable pick me up.

Look below for easy banana recipes 

and delicious serving suggestions

First up is a recipe for Homemade Baked Banana Chips from Laura at MOMables. Her video and post  shows how to make a simple yet scrumptious banana snack the whole family will love. 

Next up is Mel, the creator of A Virtual Vegan who shares her recipe for Vegan Banana Smoothie. If you want a gluten free version, make sure the oats you use are labelled gluten-free.

Next is a serving suggestion from yours truly that's easy, colorful, and nutritious. Two of my favorite kinds of fruit (organic bananas and organic raspberries) are placed on a platter, and topped with a sprig of mint to create a luscious dessert.

The finale is 

Dreamy Vegan Banana Smoothie 

by Nancy Andres

I love to cool off with a thick, creamy banana smoothie, especially on a sultry summer day. 

 

When I notice I have extra ripe bananas (those dappled with spots) hanging on the banana rack, I cut bananas into 1/4 in. round slices and place the bounty into one or two airtight glass jars or glass storage containers. 

I mark them with masking tape tags- “frozen bananas” and add the date I saved them. Then I pop them in the freezer for up to a month, to use later in smoothies.   

I live sustainably and one of my mottos is "waste not."  

Need a quick breakfast or a healthy snack? Reach for a container of frozen bananas, and make this fun recipe soon.

Dreamy Vegan Banana Smoothie tastes refreshing when made with frozen bananas, but you can use unfrozen ripe bananas in a pinch. 

Frozen bananas help to chill the smoothie and make it extra thick and creamy, similar to a milkshake. 

If you use fresh bananas, you may want to blend in a few ice cubes to chill the smoothie.

Ingredients:

1 cup ¼ in. round sliced frozen bananas (approx. 1 large banana)

½ cup unsweetened coconut, soy, or almond yogurt

½ cup unsweetened coconut, almond, or soy milk

¼ real vanilla or almond extract (if you use vanilla or almond flavored yogurt omit the extract)

Optional ingredients: 1 teaspoon almond or cashew butter, sprinkle of chia or flax seeds, and fresh pineapple, mango, strawberries or melon, etc.

 

What to do:

1. Assemble a lg. banana with other ingredients (layer) and place in the bowl of a blender. Blend on high speed until this drink is the consistency you enjoy. 

2. If some items stick together, turn off blender and remove the glass bowl from the base. Give the ingredients a swirl. Then, blend until smooth, adding more milk if needed to reach desired consistency.

3. Pour into a chilled glass and add a cinnamon stick, sprig of fresh mint, or slice of lime or lemon if desired.

This recipe serves 1 thirsty person and is best if used immediately.

To make multiple smoothies for family and friends, it's wise to make one smoothie at a time. 🍌

Did you know and understand these interesting details about bananas? Which information is new to you?

What reasons do you have for eating bananas?

Do you have a favorite way to eat or drink bananas?

Please explain in the comments section below.

I read and appreciate every comment. Just please don't put links in your comments, as I can't publish them that way. Thanks for understanding.

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This post is intended for information and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Consult with a health provider for that.

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