Important Tips About Bananas!

So bananas are a great staple for a high carbohydrate low fat vegan diet. They are about 100 calories each, which is perfect for a quick calorie dense meal (about 5-10 for one meal) to keep you going until the next meal. They are easy to eat, just peel and munch. They are very nutritious being about 93% carbohydrate, 4% protein and 3% fat. They also contain about (now you will be surprised) 85% water of their total weight!

However, it is extremely important to make sure they are RIPE before eating.

Here is an example of a very UNRIPE banana:

This should not be eaten yet because it is mainly starches which is hard to digest causing bloating and constipation (too much info sorry). And we know nobody wants that. It is also hard, leaves a film on your teeth and is not very sweet. Therefore it should be left at least 2 days to become more like the one below. In winter it can take up to 2 weeks for them to reach perfect sweetness, so buy in advance. 

Here is an example of a RIPE banana:

In this banana almost all the starches have been converted into sugars which means it is fast digesting, soft, leaves your teeth clean and is delicious. It would be best if left another day or two just to make it extra sweet, but if you just can't wait then this is great. 

Now there is a lot of controversy about bananas. People say, 'don't eat too many or you will get too much potassium'. Now we must remember we need potassium chloride. It is vital for cell function so it is an essential nutrient. It is found in most fruit and vegetables, bananas not even being no. 1. Most people are actually low in potassium. You would need to eat 300 bananas in 30 seconds to get the lethal dose... (Which isn't physically possible aha) before the kidneys excrete it. So bananas are very safe and extremely beneficial for heart and muscle communication and guess what metabolism - yes the potassium helps you lose weight (or gain if your underweight) clever hey! 

I get my bananas delivered from Sainsbury's - £27 for 40kg (about 200 bananas) for mum and I. You can also buy them by the box from Lidl at £12 for 18kg each week. We have a banana cycle where we buy e.g. 40kg allow to ripen then buy another load, then buy the time all the first load are eaten the second load is ready to eat.

I hope this information was helpful, all info adapted from book '80/10/10 by Dr. Douglas Graham' and Freelea - check out her awesome video: http://youtu.be/hMS2pSvVMBY

Fruity Hint: banana skins are pretty good teeth whiteners, rub the inside of the peel on your teeth before you go to bed a couple of times a week and you may see them whitening. Take before and after pictures to see the results. ;)