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Going Nuts Over Bananas?
 Posted by Trish Milburn Nov 3 2011, 12:01 am in eating healthy, food, guest blogger By Anju Gattani
Head over to the produce section of a grocery store anywhere in the world and bananas take the cake; they dominate shelves, intimidating other fruit with their bright, yellow complexion and sleek, black curves (like those running across a school bus). Blessed with a thick skin the banana is never afraid to sit by itself or in a cluster with others—unless it sits there for too long; then the black curves shadow the fruit. Even then it’s just right to make the perfect banana bread! Bananas never need scrubbing, a rinse or a thorough wash; they just need to let their hair down before a writer’s favorite phrase – THE END.
Still not convinced? What about a banana’s natural ability to overcome hurdles like sugar cravings? Bananas, a sweet lot, are usually the infant’s intro to solid food; they are easy to digest, face few allergy issues and meet the energy needs of a growing child. They also meet you everywhere; you’ll find them at airport kiosks, in cafes, in health clubs just hanging at the bar or swimming in a smoothie and even in restaurants disguised as a dessert. Bananas also make great companions; any writer knows for a fact that apples crunch, pears run out of juice and grapes squirt, but bananas bear in silence. So next time you hear the word banana, remember this isn’t just any fruit. The friendly banana is full of nutrition, works as a great takeaway and its true appeal lies in one thing – its peel! Now… where’s that banana gone? THE END! Anjana (Anju) Gattani is an international freelance journalist and fiction author. Her debut novel, DUTY AND DESIRE, a contemporary women’s fiction (with an international twist) is slated for release on Dec 1, 2011. She is a member of Georgia Romance Writers, Romance Writers of America, a columnist for Khabar, an Indo-American magazine, and is at work on her third novel. Anju grew up in Hong Kong under a British education system; she has also lived in India, Singapore, Australia, New Jersey, Connecticut and Atlanta in the U.S. Anju hopes her novels will one day Bridge Cultures and Break Barriers. Visit Anju at www.anjugattani.com
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16 Responses to “Going Nuts Over Bananas?”Leave a Reply |
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If there’s one fruit that takes the trophy, it’s the banana! Unlike its close competitor the apple, you’ll never find a particular type of banana—for example a Fuji, Gala or Washington—out of stock. Why? Because there is no ‘type’; a banana is a banana no matter which way you look at it. The only variations I’ve come across are mini ones sold—and probably eaten—in a bunch, like grapes.
But have you ever wondered what really makes the banana popular? Some people would go for the nutritional content: 0 g total fat, 0 g cholesterol, just 110 calories and a whooping 400 mg of potassium (10% of the daily recommended dose). Others might say that it’s because bananas are good for your heart, nerves, kidney, bones and blood thanks to its high levels of potassium, magnesium, fiber and vitamins C and B6. But I bet you didn’t know that bananas hold a notorious reputation as ‘mood enhancers’ too! Rumor has it that bananas contain tryptophan, a building-block type amino acid; this in turn helps produce serotonin which has a calming effect on the brain, combats depression and creates a stable mood. Because the body does not naturally produce tryptophan, bananas—a good-mood-food—are your best bet! So next time you’re not ‘in the mood’, tell your better half you need a banana-break.
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I LOVE bananas! I need to remind myself to eat more – though hubby eats one pretty much every day. I think you’re right, it’s their sweetness that makes them a perfect healthy snack.
Most people here at HW know I don’t have too much of a sweet tooth, but one of my favourite comfort foods growing up was mashed bananas and cream with brown sugar. I also loved peanut butter and banana sandwiches *g* – if a dessert has a banana in it, I can be tempted. One of my favourite treats this summer was some home-made ice cream made with banana and home-grown raspberries.
Hi Anna,
Mashed bananas and cream with brown sugar? Now that sounds tempting and I’m thinking it might just go with some warm apple pie?
Thanks for sharing some great ideas!
Anju
I love banana pudding and chocolate-covered bananas. Actually, the latter is something I like because it’s not so bad if it’s dipped in dark chocolate. It lets me get a chocolate fix without having a candy bar or piece of cake. Plus, I get some fruit.
My sister has recently developed a reaction to bananas. Her throat tries to close when she eats them uncooked. More recently, she’s started having the same reaction to cantaloupe, which really irks her as she loves cantaloupe.
Hi Trish,
I’ve heard of banana pudding but never tried it… maybe I should. What did surprise me was banana, walnut cake which I made out of desperation thanks to 4 over ripe bananas. It was yum and lasted for 4-5 days before it had to go in the fridge.
Sorry to hear about your sister… I’m guessing she might be allergic to it and cantaloupes too.
I always have bananas on my kitchen counter! In Cuba, we did have a variety of bananas, including little ones that tasted a little like apples, and of course, plantains, which are only eaten cooked. I love them! My daughter calls me weird, but I like to slice a banana into my hot oatmeal in the morning.
Oh, I’m going to try this. I’ve eaten my oatmeal with apples and raisins so far, but think I’ll try bananas next.
Hi Berta,
Thanks for joining us today! I’ve always wondered about plantains… what are they exactly? Enormous bananas which are meant for cooking or a fruit that can only be eaten cooked?
As for the oatmeal bit… I do that for the family too… but somehow I can’t have the two together… I think I’m the weird one now!!
I always think of plantains as a kind of savoury banana, Anju. They’re not really to be eaten raw, but are delicious cooked. Often used in the same way as an aubergine. I would think they’d be a great addition to some of the spicy food you’ve talked about previously on your visits.
I didn’t know that banana was a mood enhancer. Good insight into bananas, Anju.
The only thinkg I knew was they are high in potassium and I sometimes recommend it to people who have some kind of muscular issues going on.
Some people are allergic to bananas, i have seen that but i guess its not the bananas fault, its the immune system of that person which is compromised.
Although not my type of fruit( I don’t like it), its nutritional value cannot be denied.
Hi Ritu,
Thanks for stopping by… I didn’t know it was a mood enhancer either… until I did some digging! I didn’t even know it was sooooooo high in potassium, etc… it’s like an enlarged multi-vitamin capsule! I’m still coming to terms with this fruit so hope to finally break in to the banana one day!
So glad I had half a banana this morning! What an interesting post.
Hi Sally,
Thanks for joining me today. After a lot of self-negotiating I had a whole banana too! It’s a first for me but I’m guessing it’s the banana that finally won my heart – or at least it’s trying to!
What a fun piece on bananas! I am a fan too. I also like them frozen – they get a creamy, rich taste and are almost like ice cream. Just be sure to remove the peel before you freeze it.
I recently heard an NPR Fresh Air show on the history of bananas. The author interviewed said that there are a lot of varieties of Banana and the absolute best are hard to impossible to find in the states. I think it might have been native to the Philippines.
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for sharing! I’ve heard of freezing bananas before but never tried it myself. I know they’re great for smoothies and have been quite successful with mixed fruit smoothies.
Many fruits from the Philippines are great… and I’m not surprised if bananas are one of them!
Hi anju,
Banana is my favOrite fruit too.the part I like about it is it doesn’t need too much washing you can peel the skin and eat it as such and always tastes good and it fills our tummy atlest more than an hour.i do bring bananas every time I go to grocery store.that is one fr
Unit I make sure it is always available at home.most of the times I eat banana alone as my breakfast.nice post anju.you did a lot of research on bananas got to know so many new things about it.
Hi Madhavi,
Nice to hear from you and yes… it is one of the easiest fruits to handle and very filling.
I did enjoy learning more about the banana and am glad you feel the same way too!