It’s safe to say bananas are one of the most loved fruits out there! Not only are they healthy but also delicious, convenient, and inexpensive. If you’re interested in eating clean, some healthy banana snacks will get you sorted.
Bananas are rich in antioxidants and nutrients. They are also called a ‘power factory’ because they contain nutrients like fiber, potassium, magnesium, protein, and copper, to name a few. Bananas are also known to improve digestion.
Not only ripe bananas but even unripe bananas are good for your body. The secret ingredient in this healthy fruit is Pectin, which helps relieve constipation and soften stool. Many believe bananas can make you fat, but contrary to this myth, they are actually weight loss friendly. Eating one banana will only accumulate 100 calories. Unripe bananas are also known to boost weight loss and suppress appetite. The antioxidants present in bananas are also known to reduce the risk of degenerative illnesses and heart disease.
This shows us how important and beneficial bananas are for us. Peeling and eating a banana is definitely wholesome and delicious. But did you know that you can also use bananas to prepare healthy snacks? These snacks enable us to utilize bananas in other creative ways whilst keeping the calorie count low.
Let’s have a look at some healthy banana snacks below.
Healthy Banana Snacks
- Banana Bread
- Banana Chips
- Banana Shake
- Banana and Peanut Butter IceCream
Healthy Banana Bread
Banana bread is an absolute classic and an all-time favorite snack. It’s fluffy and moist and is packed with the sweetness of bananas. The much-loved banana bread is a classic for children and adults alike. If you have 3-4 bananas that might be too ripe to eat, the perfect way to use them is to make banana bread. Preparing healthy banana bread is definitely an option.
All you have to do is make some minor adjustments. Replace the sugar with honey and the butter with coconut oil. Using whole wheat flour instead of white flour also works wonders. Also, don’t forget to use super ripe bananas.
The riper your bananas, the sweeter your banana bread will be. If you cannot get your hands on overripe bananas, pop peeled bananas in the oven for 20 minutes. This will sweeten the bananas for the banana bread. Simply prepare the batter and pop it in the oven, and you have one of the best healthy banana snacks to enjoy.
Banana Chips
Banana chips, when eaten in moderation, are a great healthy snack. These delicious crispy snacks are full of banana goodness. They are rich in fiber and potassium, thus helping with blood pressure control and preventing constipation. Banana chips can also be a nourishing snack that boosts weight loss. It contains healthy carbs and protein that help you remain energized and reduces your appetite. A drawback of banana chips is that they may be high in sugar and fat. If eaten in abundance, they can lead to obesity and diabetes. Therefore, do snack on banana chips but do so occasionally.
Banana Shake
Banana shakes are immensely popular. Not only are they full of nutrition but also extremely energizing. Banana shakes can be prepared by blending bananas with other ingredients such as milk, yogurt, ice, chia seeds, and other fruits.
Banana shakes are also often used to support healthy weight loss goals and make for an excellent pre- or post-workout snack. Some also use banana shakes to recover from hangovers. This makes a banana shake one of the most effective healthy banana snacks. These shakes can cure hangovers as bananas are rich in potassium and minerals, thus fighting water retention and electrolytes loss caused by alcohol.
Banana shakes are wonderful workout snacks as bananas provide a steady amount of glucose that is excellent for fueling workouts. However, banana shakes can also be high in refined sugar and fat. The best option is to prepare your banana shake at home. Replace sugar with honey, and you can use low-fat milk or various plant-based milk options.
Banana and Peanut Butter Nice Cream
Store-bought ice cream is full of refined sugar and additives. Why not prepare your own healthy ice cream or ‘nice-cream’ at home? You will really love this snack not only because it tastes good, but is also packed with all the good and healthy ingredients. It is also very easy to prepare.
This recipe does not need a lot of complicated ingredients, and you can easily prepare this delicious banana and peanut butter nice cream at home with a minimum effort. You will need some very basic ingredients such as frozen bananas, natural peanut butter, chocolate chips, and almond butter for this healthy ice cream.
If peanut butter is not available or is not your favorite, you can always replace it with any other nut butter. Also, you can use any type of milk. This can be cow’s milk or plant-based milk. The only advantage of almond is that it gives the nice cream a soft-serve-like texture. Blend the peanut butter and frozen bananas in a food processor or blender. Once blended, start adding almond milk with a tablespoon until you get the consistency you desire.
Sprinkle your ice cream with chocolate chips and fold them into the mixture. You can serve your banana and peanut butter ice cream immediately or save it for later. This nutrient-dense nice cream is a great frozen snack for hot days. Not only is it healthy and low in calories, but also extremely delicious.
Our Final Thoughts
All in all, bananas are an excellent source of many nutrients your body requires. It can give vitality and energy to your body and is wholesome. This fruit is filling, delicious and versatile. Bananas are available all year round and can easily be bought from the supermarket or the farmers’ market. Moreover, it is an excellent source of nutrition for you and your whole family.
If you love bananas, try eating them as frequently as you can. You can also utilize them by making these healthy banana snacks. These recipes are very easy to prepare and taste delicious, making absolutely lovely treats for you and your loved ones!
