You may feel a little reluctant to include bananas in their diet because they are high in sugar, but don’t fret: bananas also have an array of vitamins and minerals, are high in dietary fiber and are a rich source of potassium, making them a true superfood that is really very good for you. Below are five of the healthiest ways to enjoy bananas – by coincidence, they also happen to be some of the most delicious ways to enjoy them as well!
Freeze Them for Smoothies or Dessert
Freezing ripe bananas is one of the best ways to perverse them and it is simple to do: just slice them or cut them in half, place in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag, and store them for up to 6 months. You can use them for a variety of healthy dishes like fat-free ice creams, add them to a variety of healthy smoothies or simply eat them as is.
Slice Them into Your Morning Cereal
Whether you enjoy hot cereals like oatmeal or cold ones like bran flakes or granola, slicing a banana into your morning bowl is a great way to boost its nutritional value. If you are not a cereal fan, mix up a breakfast smoothie with bananas, almond milk, flax seed and chai spices for a wonderful start to your day.
Use as an Oil Substitute for Baked Goods
Oils –even healthy ones – are still high in calories and make it easy to pack on the pounds if you are not careful. Bananas, however, make excellent substitutes for oil or even butter or eggs in most baked dishes and generally you can make that substitution on a one-to-one ratio, so healthy alterations in your favorite recipes are easy.
Sandwich Fillers
If you did not grow up with this kind of thing, the idea of a banana sandwich might sound strange, but they are actually wonderful. Spread any type of nut butter that you like onto whole grain bread and add the sliced or mashed bananas and enjoy. This will really fill you up while being very nutritious and easy for lunch on the go.
Economic Fruit Choice
Most people know that getting fresh fruits in the diet is important, but some fresh fruits can be quite expensive. Serving fresh bananas just by themselves is a perfect way to get your fruit without busting your budget – they are very affordable even when they are organic.
So the next time you are craving a smoothie or a banana-walnut muffin, don’t deny yourself. Whether you serve them as is or put them in any number of recipes, they are rich in nutrients and fiber to help with digestion and overall health and can be safely included in any balanced diet.
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