Banana Benefits
Slice ’em up at every meal
Sweet, creamy and available all year round, it’s no surprise bananas are so popular. Known as a great source of potassium, they also provide vitamins B6 and C, and dietary fiber—nutrients that help to promote heart health. “Packaged” by nature, bananas are convenient to take and eat on the run, delivering quick energy for everyone from kids to athletes.
While bananas are a natural at breakfast added to hot or cold cereal, French toast, waffles or pancakes, they also add moisture and nutrition to baked goods. In fact, the best use for overripe bananas may be in banana bread or muffins, both of which freeze well and make great snacks. Keep bananas at room temperature. (They can be stored in the refrigerator, but their peel will turn black.)
When the family is looking for something sweet after dinner, bananas fit the bill. They add pizzazz and healthy benefits to a bowl of ice cream, and are the basis for smoothies (no ice cream necessary) when frozen and whipped up with milk in the blender. Or try these delicious Chocolate Dipped Banana Pops for more festive occasions.
Did you know you can make a healthy version of “ice cream” using frozen bananas? Peel and cut bananas into small pieces, freeze for about 1-2 hours, then blend in a blender or food processor, scraping down the sides of the container as needed. The result looks and tastes as good as ice cream but with no dairy or added sugar.
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