When it comes to following a healthy diet, all foods can fit when eaten in moderation, according to the American Dietetic Association -- even a sweet dessert such as banana cream pie. You have to consider your total dietary intake, not just one meal or one food. Knowing the nutrition information for your banana cream pie can help you adjust your other foods to fit it in.
Ingredients
There are a number of recipes for banana cream pie, and the nutrient information will differ depending on which recipe you follow. A typical banana cream pie includes sugar, milk, flour, butter, vanilla extract, bananas and a pie crust. If you are concerned with calories and fat, you can lighten up your recipe by using skim milk, egg whites and a low-fat pie crust.
Serving Size and Calories
Banana cream pie makes eight servings. Cut the pie into eight equal parts before serving to help you control the portion size. Each serving of a regular banana cream pie contains 303 calories, while the lightened-up version contains 200 calories.
Fat
Each serving of traditional banana cream pie contains 11 g of total fat, 4.9 g of saturated fat and 89 mg of cholesterol. A serving of the lower-calorie banana cream pie contains 2.2 g of total fat. Your total fat intake should make up 20 percent to 35 percent of your total calorie intake, and your saturated fat intake should be less than 10 percent of your total calorie intake, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. High intakes of saturated fat raise bad cholesterol levels and increase your risk of heart disease. In addition, dietary cholesterol intake should be less than 300 mg a day. High intakes of cholesterol can also increase your blood cholesterol levels.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates provide your body with energy, and should make up 45 percent to 65 percent of your total calories. Most of your carbohydrates should come from complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Simple carbohydrates, such as sugar, digest quickly and offer very little nutritional value. A serving of regular banana cream pie contains 47 g of carbohydrates, 1.8 g of fiber and 30 g of sugar. A serving of the lower-calorie banana cream pie contains 43 g of carbohydrates.
Protein
Each serving of both the traditional and lower-calorie banana cream pie contains 5 g of protein. Healthy adult men need 56 g of protein a day, and healthy adult women need 46 g of protein per day.
Sodium
Each serving of traditional banana cream pie contains 224 mg of sodium. High intakes of sodium increase your blood pressure and your risk of stroke and heart attack. The USDA recommends you limit your daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg a day.
Potassium
Both bananas and milk are high-potassium foods. The American Heart Association recommends healthy people consume 4,700 mg of potassium a day to maintain a healthy blood pressure. One serving of traditional banana cream pie contains 335 mg of potassium.
References
- AllRecipes.com: Banana Cream Pie
- PubMed.gov: Position of the American Dietetic Association: Total Diet Approach to Communicating Food and Nutrition Information
- McKinley Health Center: Macronutrients: The Improtance of Carbohydrate, Protein and Fat
- USDA: Dietary Guidelines for Americans: Key Recommendations
- CDC: Nutrition for Everyone: Basics: Protein
- American Heart Association: Potassium and Blood Pressure
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