Go bananas! No, really -- bananas are a healthful choice for almost any dieter and are packed with nutrition your body needs. Eaten in moderation, they can even be included in a low-carbohydrate diet, despite the fact that they are known as a starchy fruit. So peel away and go bananas for your health today.
My Plate Guidelines
In 2011, the USDA, or United States Department of Agriculture, released a picture guide called MyPlate for healthful eating based on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The recommendations include filling half of your plate with fruits and vegetables for every meal. Bananas work into this diet plan and make a good addition at breakfast, lunch or as a snack to enjoy between meals.
DASH Diet
Under the umbrella of the National Institutes of Health, several agencies worked together to create what is called the DASH diet -- or "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension." Although intended to help control high blood pressure, this diet is a healthy approach to eating even for people without hypertension. Bananas are a part of this diet plan for the fiber and potassium they provide, both of which are dietary sources believed to be particularly heart-healthy.
Low-Carb Diets
Not every diet is banana-friendly, most notably low-carbohydrate or high protein diets. Bananas are a starchy fruit, which makes them difficult to include on a daily basis on these diet plans. Low-carb diets tend to restrict carbohydrates to between 50 and 150 g per day and rely on non-starchy vegetables for those limited carbohydrates. However, a medium-sized banana contains approximately 27 g of carbohydrate, so with careful moderation, they can even be included in a carbohydrate restricted diet.
Nutrition
Bananas are a good source of potassium, packing 422 mg into a medium-sized banana. Bananas also provide carbohydrates and fiber, supplying long-lasting energy and bulk to help you feel full. What bananas don't have also makes them a good nutritional food choice -- bananas have no fat and are virtually sodium-free.
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