Thursday, October 23, 2008
Do bananas make you fat?
A bootcamper asked me this question today, so now I want to elaborate on it more. Bananas are low in calories, as they contain only 100
calories. They are half the calories of most granola bars, and have one-third the calories of most muffins or bagels. Bananas are not high in sugar and have the same glycemic index as most all fruits. Scientific research reports no evidence that they will spike your blood sugars or increase fat stores. They are extremely low in fat, containing less than 1 gram of fat. They are loaded with
fibre making you will feel full and satisfied after eating them. One banana also adds 2 grams of soluble fibre, which helps to lower blood cholesterol.
Bananas are nutrient-rich. They contain vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin C and are potassium powerhouses. Due to all their potassium, bananas help lower high blood pressure and replace potassium loses after exercise. Potassium is necessary for proper muscle function in active individuals and athletes. And another bonus, bananas are an easily digested source of energy. Athletes
frequently peel a banana before a race for quick energy. In addition, bananas are high in magnesium, a mineral that helps bones absorb calcium.
p.s. I also like how I heard a doc explain it: he said, "In my years of working with overweight clients, I've never had one who became overweight from bananas".:)
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I used to have leg cramps all the time, but after adding one banana to my smoothie in the morning, I've had no leg cramps since Boot Camp started. Could it be the bananas? Hmmmm......
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