In 1934, physician George Harrop touted the efficacy of a milk and banana diet for many of the same reasons that people enjoy it today. Modern day doctors see the plan as another low-calorie fad diet. The diet has several different forms, but the most popular is that dieters only consume two or three bananas and a cup of skim milk, three times a day. Dieters are also encouraged to drink a lot of water during the diet. The diet is low in many nutrients, so you may want to add a multivitamin to the plan. Always talk with your physician before making any diet changes.
Low Calorie
The milk and banana diet provides around 1,000 calories per day, making it a very low-calorie diet. The actual calorie content will depend on the number of bananas you eat each day, and their sizes. A medium banana--7 to 8-inches long--provides about 100 calories. One cup of skim milk provides 80 calories. So if you eat six bananas and three cups of milk you will have consumed just over 800 calories per day. This will result in dramatic weight loss.
Ease of Dieting
The diet is extremely easy to follow and inexpensive, as all you need to purchase are milk and bananas. Bananas are portable, too, and can be carried with you. Skim milk is plentiful and shelf-stable products are available. For some variety, swirl the skim milk and bananas together with some ice cubes for a smoothie. In general, this diet is portable and so restrictive that there are no choices to be made, making it easy to follow.
Nutritional Benefits
Bananas are a great source of fiber, which can help stabilize your digestive tract. They also contain iron to help build the blood and potassium to stabilize blood pressure. Potassium will also rid the body of bloating and reduce the risk of kidney disease, according to bananasweb.com. Skim milk contains protein and no fat, so it will help keep you satisfied while dieting. Although there are some benefits to eating bananas and skim milk, the diet does not provide a wide range of nutrients and should only be followed for very short periods, if at all.
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