“But aren’t they really fattening?”
This is a question I’ve been asked many times and so I thought I would advise on the amazing benefits of the humble banana.
While it's true that bananas do pack more carbs per bite than other fruits (because they're lower in water content), there's no need to shun them, even if you're trying to lose weight.
Bananas are a rich source of potassium, an essential nutrient in the body which, in addition to reducing blood pressure, helps support muscle maintenance and acts as a natural diuretic that alleviates water retention and bloating.
The high levels of vitamin B6 in bananas also helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels and is vital for the production of feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine.
Bananas are also packed with fibre, which boosts satiety and improves digestive health.
If there was ever a time to eat a deliciously ripe banana, it would be after a great workout. After a workout, the fast-digesting natural sugars help replenish your used glycogen, a storage form of carbs that is your main source of energy during high-intensity exercise. The sugars also stimulate insulin release to help drive amino acids into your tired muscles.
Before a workout, eating a ripe banana can also provide you with a burst of energy to help power you through.
Ripe bananas can also be used as a more "natural" way to tame a sweet tooth compared to a cereal bar with possibly the same number of calories but a whole host of nasties.Bananas are a great sweetener to cakes and bakes too.
Commentaires