WHAT WOULD NATIONAL BANANA LOVERS DAY BE WITHOUT A POST DEDICATED TO "THE BANANA"?
Bananas are great eaten on their own, sliced on top of cereal or yogurt or enjoyed in a favourite banana bread recipe. With the exception of avocadoes and dates, bananas contain the highest concentration of potassium by weight then any other fruit. So they are an excellent addition if you notice any of the following symptoms:
Depression
Diarrhea
Edema/water retention
Headaches
Muscular fatigue and weakness
Insomnia
….among others
Bananas will provide you with the following nutrients:
potassium
folate
Vitamin C
Vitamin B’s
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Sodium
Chlorine
Calcium
Iron
Fibre …..among others
And they provide the following important phytochemicals:
Beta-carotene
Pectin
Phytosterols
Incorporating bananas into your meal planning will help with things like:
Hypertension
Haemorrhoids
Heart disorders
Intestinal problems
….among others
And they are good for the:
nerves
muscles
liver
kidneys
intestinal flora (they feed the good bacteria)
they are also good to help lesson pain, help us replenish our nutrients after illness, aid with sleep and support the immune system
When selecting bananas it’s best to choose ones that are a brighter yellow with just the beginning of brown speckles appearing. Choose ones that have intact stems with few blemishes or bruising.
Bananas are best stored at room temperature and they will last for about 3 days; if stored in the refrigerator they will brown (however the part we eat will still be ok) and they will keep longer (about 2 weeks). If you like to use bananas in your smoothies you can freeze them and add them frozen to your smoothie recipe, peel them first and then wrap them in plastic.
Although bananas are not on the EWG’s Shoppers Guide To Pesticides in Produce “Dirty Dozen List “ it is best to wash your hands after peeling because they are often heavily sprayed.
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Sending A Wish Your Way For A Well BALANCED Day
Jenny