5 Ban-tastic Facts About Bananas

Many people believe that bananas are a no-no for weight loss due to their high sugar content. And while the size of a banana should be taken into account, bananas should not necessarily be eliminated from your diet if you are trying to lose weight, whether you’ve had gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, or lap band surgery or not. Bananas can be a part of a healthy diet and you can still lose weight. In fact, we’ve gathered up 5 ‘ban-tastic’ facts about bananas to help get you jazzed up to eat one today!

1. The smell of bananas can help you lose weight.

According to a study, smelling the scent of bananas multiple times a day can help improve weight loss. In all fairness, the scent of apples and mint also helped. The researchers concluded that the aromas could help with weight loss in conjunction with diet and exercise.

2. Bananas can help lower your blood pressure.

Potassium is well recognized as a natural way to lower your blood pressure. A medium banana has almost 10% of your daily requirement for potassium, and has almost no sodium (which can have the opposite effect of raising blood pressure).

3. Bananas are extremely versatile.
 

They work well at breakfast: sliced on top of yogurt; mashed into a low carb pancake; baked into a high protein muffin; or added to a protein rich smoothie. Bananas make a great snack too: sliced into coins with a spoonful of peanut butter; rolled into crushed nuts; dehydrated into chips; or made into a faux ice cream. Not to mention, you can eat them plain. Literally, just grab and go!

4. They are packed full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

One medium banana is around 110 calories, but it also has 25% Daily Value of vitamin B-6,12% potassium, 12% fiber, 14% vitamin C, 10% copper, plus 8% magnesium (a mineral, which if low, can be linked to mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression).

5. Bananas are one of the least expensive fruits.

You pretty much can’t find a better bang for your buck in the fruit section. Based on the price per pound, a banana often costs about 25 cents each. Try to find an apple for a quarter! Even organic bananas are fairly inexpensive. The cost plus the nutritional benefits of bananas must be why 96% of American households buy bananas each month.

Dr. Shillingford, MD, PA, encourages his gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and lap band patients to choose healthy snacks, and bananas can be a great choice. Dr. Shillingford’s bariatric patients come from all over Florida, including Boca Raton, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville, for his reputation as a Center of Excellence Surgeon and his compassionate bedside manner. To schedule a surgical evaluation with Dr. Shillingford or to attend one of his free informational sessions, please call his Boca Raton office at (561) 483-8840.