Bananas. Yup, I'm going bananas. Losing it. Wait, no, we're supposed to be here talking about food. Right.... so bananas, as a food. They are a favorite here in our house. My girls loved them as babies - I used to mash them up, slice them up, however they wanted. We're told as parents to give them to our kids as part of a BRAT diet - Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. Why is that, why are bananas so valuable to our diet? Well, I'm going to tell you.
Bananas (sometimes called plantains) are classified by a soft fruit, covered in a thick rind, usually elongated and curved. The most popular variety has a yellow rind, but it can also be purple or red. The fruit grows from a banana tree (or Musa) in clusters. They are native to Southeast Asia, but are now cultivated all over the world. They are fourth among the world's main food crops. But the variety most often seen in grocery stores come from the Cavendish and Grand Nain and are properly named a dessert banana for its sweetness.
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| Source: http://leftforread.com/posts/tag/banana |
Now, for their nutrional value. Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatrics has approved bananas in their original form as a great source for an infants first solid food? Pass by that rice cereal and mash up some yummy bananas for your baby! Bananas are also perfect for diets that are low sodium and low cholesterol. But probably most well known, bananas are a great source of potassium, dietary fiber, and vitamins B6 and C, making them a great "recovery" food for those who have had diarrhea or the stomach flu. Plus, the potassium in bananas helps your muscles, nervous system, and can reduce the risk of stroke and reduce blood pressure. They are truly a superfruit.
How many times have you had a smoothie with a banana in it? Almost always. Bananas thicken your smoothies and truly make them "smooth." Banana bread. Banana cream pie. Frozen bananas. Banana pancakes. Banana splits. Or just a plain old banana. All these things are a great way to consume bananas. How do you use bananas?
Here are a few ways that I use them:
Banana Bread
Check out Chiquita Bananas for more information!
Source: http://www.chiquitabananas.com/Worlds-Favorite-Fruit