Weider Nutrition Group - Power Food: Bananas

Power Food: Bananas

Bananas provide a nutritious and delicious long-lasting energy boost, making them an ideal snack choice for all ages and activity levels. They are full of necessary vitamins, minerals and fiber that your body needs to stay healthy and keep going. Find out more about this power food below, and give our banana recipes a try - you won't be sorry!

Heart-Friendly - Bananas are one of the best natural sources of potassium, which is an important mineral that helps maintain normal blood pressure, as well as protecting against heart problems, such as heart disease and stroke.

Vitamins & Minerals - Aside from Potassium, bananas are a great source of many other important vitamins and minerals that make it an ideal snack for busy individuals looking for a healthy on-the-go snack:

Vitamin B6 - Most amino acids (the building blocks of protein) require a sufficient amount of B6 in order to synthesize protein. As well, since most molecules require this B-vitamin in their production, B6 is considered an essential part in the production of almost all new cells in the body. As if this wasn't enough, B6 also helps in processing carbohydrates (sugars and starch). Carb processing plays a large part in physical performance, so having enough of this important vitamin is critical to reaching your goals.

Vitamin C - Vitamin C, one of the most well known vitamins, which offers a wide array of benefits. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps to boost the immune system, protect against cancer, regulate blood sugar, protect your skin from free radical damage, and plays a part in the growth and repair of body tissue.

Manganese - Manganese is a mineral you might not often hear about, but it is a powerful antioxidant that plays a key role in a variety of processes, such as regulating blood sugar levels, activating enzymes responsible for digestion and utilization of key nutrients, breaking down fats and cholesterol and in the production of energy.

Dietary Fibre - It is a good source of both soluble fiber, which offer a host of benefits, such as regulating blood sugar levels, helping to lower cholesterol and helping to protect against heart disease (for more information on the health benefits of fiber, click here).

Banana Recipes

90% Protein Raspberry Banana Pineapple Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 scoop 90% Protein Raspberry powder
1 cup vanilla yogurt
6 pineapple rings
1 cup milk
3 bananas
2 teaspoons pure honey
1 cup ice cubes

Directions:

In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth. If you find it too thick for your tastes, add in 1/4 cup of water or milk and blend again. Drink immediately and enjoy!

Low Fat Banana Bread

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 pinch salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 egg whites
1 cup banana, mashed (about 3 bananas)
1/4 cup applesauce

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8x4 inch pan.
In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add egg whites, bananas and applesauce; stir just until combined. Pour batter into greased pan.
Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of loaf comes out clean. Turn out onto wire rack and allow to cool before slicing.