In addition to being delicious and portable, bananas are a powerhouse of nutrients, giving you taste, health and satisfaction in a snack that can go anywhere. These four reasons to love bananas will get your mouth watering for this versatile fruit.
Here are four more reasons to to go b-a-n-a-n-a-s for bananas just as much as we do!
1. High in Fiber
A single banana contains 12% of the recommended daily value of fiber. We are supposed to eat anywhere from 20-35 grams of fiber per day, but most Americans do not reach the minimum recommendation daily. A banana can help you get the fiber you need without having to take supplements or eat specialty fiber foods.
2. Low Glycemic Index
Despite its sweet taste, the banana has a low glycemic index (GI), which means it has a lesser effect on blood sugar levels. To be considered “low” on the GI scale, a food must be below 55. Bananas have a glycemic index of 51. This makes bananas a great fruit option for those who must watch their blood sugar.
3. Mood Improvement
What do bananas and turkey have in common? Tryptophan, a protein loved for its ability to help produce serotonin, a hormone that regulates mood and can help calm us down. Try using a banana next time you crave a comfort food and the results might be just what you need.
4. Versatility in Cooking
Bananas have another superpower: the ability to substitute less healthy food choices in cooking. A banana can be pureed to make a shortening substitute in baking. In many snacks, the sweetness of a banana can be used instead of sugar or other traditional sweeteners, allowing for more dessert options for the sugar conscious.
Bananas are one of nature’s most versatile and universally loved foods. Perhaps we love them so much because our bodies know how healthful they are for us. It might also be that wonderful taste. Whatever the case, incorporating bananas into your diet is a tasty way to add fiber, improve your mood and enhance your cooking.
In A Hurry But Craving Those Yummy Bananas?
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