Page 52 - Robeson Living Spring 2019
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6 Reasons Why You Need More



                               Bananas in Your Life






































          (BPT) - Bananas are a tasty snack that many people eat   carbohydrates, which help provide sustained energy. It’s a
          regularly without much thought, but there’s more to the   common misconception that bananas aren’t as healthy due
          iconic yellow fruit than just its convenience and color. Ba-  to the higher sugar content, however, the natural sugars in
          nanas are a superfood loaded with nutrients and have been   bananas come with fiber, which slows digestion and gives
          enjoyed worldwide for hundreds of years. In fact, there are   the body time to use it as fuel instead of storing it as fat.
          many reasons to consider eating more bananas.
                                                                Low-fat, low-cal: Bananas have no fat, cholesterol or so-
          Versatility:  Bananas are one of the most versatile  foods   dium, making them ideal for nutritious eating as well as a
          available. They come in their own container and you can   good option if you’re on many specialty diets. Plus, they’re
          eat them right out of the peel. You can slice up fresh ba-  just 100 calories per banana, providing you all-natural,
          nanas to enhance favorite snack foods, like cereal, yogurt   long-lasting energy. Whether it’s a snack or addition to a
          or smoothies.  They are a natural  alternative  to sugar to   recipe, you can feel good about eating bananas.
          sweeten desserts and can be used in a variety of recipes,
          including savory ones. They are even tasty dried and eaten   Digestive  health:  Bananas  are  often  one  of  baby’s  first
          as banana chips.                                      foods. They are also one of the first things we eat when we
                                                                are sick. Why? Because they are soft to chew and easy to
          Nutrient powerhouse: Bananas are not only a powerhouse   digest. In fact, bananas can support digestive health thanks
          for potassium with nearly 10 percent of the recommended   to their pectin level that acts as a fiber. If you prefer your
          daily value, but also boast many other nutritional benefits.   bananas a bit on the unripe side, you’re also in luck because
          Just one banana has 35 percent of the daily recommend-  unripe bananas contain higher levels of resistant starches,
          ed B-6, which helps with cell growth. In addition, you’ll   which are a soluble fiber.
          be giving your body important vitamins and minerals like
          magnesium, manganese, vitamin C and copper. Bananas   Banana bread: One of the most popular ways to bake with
          are also a good source of antioxidants to support a healthy   bananas is banana bread.  What many people  might  not
          immune system.                                        know is the history of the moist, sweet loaf featuring the
                                                                classic yellow fruit. Banana bread is the creation of thrifty
          Don’t believe the sugar rumors: Bananas are actually  a   housewives during the Great Depression who had to stretch
          wonderful source of natural  sugars (the good kind) and   their family’s food supplies, including utilizing overly-ripe

          Page 52                                                                       Robeson Living ~ Spring 2019
          Page 52
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