Are bananas bad for stomach fat?

elisa123gal

mmm anything encased in a skin growing on a tree.. made by God..can't be all that bad for you. lol. That's how i look at fruit and nuts.. it is like God knocking on our foreheads says.. "Hey.. look! I put this here for a good reason!."

we are all fat because money grabbing authors have come up with a bunch of bunk about how fruit, meat, this that.. is bad for you. they want to keep you fat...a captive audience.

vickeydorton

I too see all those ads about Bananna being bad for you- I love them too- so I eat my calorie intake rather it has a banana in or not- even chocolate , as long as it in my daily intake - I think I am doing the right thing??

watfordjc

yes, if you're trying to lose belly fat, then you're trying to lose fat in one of the first places the body stores it and one of the last places it givesit up. bananas are very high in carbohydrates and they are a fruit so to lose this fat, you have to go on carbohydrate restriction of some kind.

Sorry, but that is baloney. Yesterday I had some grapes, a banana, and a whole pineapple. The day before I had a banana, some canteloupe and honeydew melon, a whole pineapple, another banana and a Snickers. The day before I had some white bread, half a honeydew melon, and a large glass of Dr Pepper; the day before that I had some canteloupe and honeydew melon, a banana, a Twister ice lolly, a Snickers ice cream, half a stuffed crust pizza, and 2 Snickers. I eat wholemeal bread pretty much every day and average 250-350 grams of carbs per day (100 grams on some sedentary days, 600 grams on some active days). ~97-106% of my weight loss since December has been from fat mass (Bod Pod results in 11 weeks time will help determine if Siri or Brozeck were more accurate for me when I was >30%BF - I have either lost 2 lb or gained 4 lb of LBM since December) and I have lost 14 inches from my waist since November.

OP, unless you have a medical condition where you have been advised to avoid bananas, you dislike them, or you are allergic to them, there should be no reason why you can't lose body fat eating them (assuming a calorie deficit).

Nerdybreisawesome

Mmmm bananas!

shed50kg

I live in Cambodia and there are so many types of bananas and some of them are so good ; - ).,I love bananas. I generally eat at least 10 per week but could easily eat a lot more ; - ). I have lost 11 lbs since I changed my eating habits nearly 3 months ago.

Like many have said, you just need to eat a deficit of the calories you normally eat to lose weight.

ellsworthpc

Many others posted already about the nutritive value, how many carbs, etc. so I will skip that. My "fitness plan" involves weight gain -- I am genetically thin and it was decades after High School before I finally started putting on weight, both muscular, and yes, some around the belly.

Now then, if belly fat and bananas were at all related then all of the weight gain I've achieved since last year when I started working on gaining with a goal and (and a shape goal at that!) would be on my belly. Because I on average -- eat one every day. But I'm not chopping it up and putting it on pre-sugared cereal -- that plus another fresh fruit goes in with the lowfat double milk yogurt -- and makes a high protein, decent carbohydrate, little bit of "fat smoothie / almost tastes like a milkshake" that lasts all day. I'm not eating 3000 calories, six times a day -- I'm eating and drinking WELL, and an amount of calories more than I would normally, plus the workout and water so that I put on muscle.

But a person who has been on a weight LOSS program does the same thing. The dfference being that in her case, it's a non-fat yogurt smoothie with less banana and more fresh fruit to cut down on the calories by about 40%. Instead of muscle building/bulking exercise like I am doing, she's simply added other enough activity like walking, gardening, etc. to "burn more than she earns, aka to make sure her energy consumption is higher than her calorie consumption by just enough that she's staying nourished, but burning the body's stored fuel, aka fats.

It really isn't rocket science. To bulk, work muscles with weight and consumer a higher balance of protein and adequate everything else. To maintain, find your balancing point in terms of "happy eating and active life" and stick with it. To lose weight for a while, burn more than you earn, usually by cutting a percentage of the carbs out. End of story.

Rosplosion

Just for the lulz you should check out Freelea the banana girl on YouTube.

ETA:

neandermagnon

Bananas are wonderful for you. Excellent source of potassium, B vitamins, are great for your digestion, and vision even. Studies even show that they may help prevent HIV infection. Those ads are BS.

how do bananas help prevent HIV infection??


is it because people use bananas to demonstrate the correct way to put on a condom?

nicoleisback

From what I understand (and I never click on those ads, so I can't confirm if that is what they are on about) there was a big panic about 5-8 years ago that 'browning' bananas were really bad for you, as they browned due to oxidization and eating something in this state (even browned apple flesh, avocado, etc) would lead to an increase in free radicals in the body which were claimed to do all sorts of damage like making you fat and sick all the time. This started about the same time the whole anti oxidant 'movement' for want of a better word started.
Don't get me wrong, I am not saying anti oxidants are of no value, I am just saying that oxidized foods don't make you sick and fat like they used to claim.
I may be way off base, so if anyone HAS clicked on one of those ads and lived to tell the tale, feel free to correct me

I am only assuming this is something to do with what it relates to because half of them show a banana going from fresh to old to black.

SoLongAndThanksForAllTheFish

Do you want a banana? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa9KcZ_EWwY

p4ulmiller

Eat a banana if you want a banana. You're more likely to die from radiation poisoning than a sugar overdose.

swampwitch25

I think the key is moderation...all foods (except processed) are good in moderation

davert123

You cant spot reduce so people claiming that one food will reduce fat in a certain area are talking rubbish i'm afraid. Bananas are great I have at least one a day sometimes more it hasnt effected my weight loss.

^^^^This

_Terrapin_

Bananas are one of the best fruit on the market. Bananas have two times as many carbohydrates as an apple, five times as much Vitamin A and iron and three times as much phosphorus. In addition, bananas are also rich in potassium and natural sugars.

All of these factors combined make the banana a “super food” that is an integral part of a healthy daily regimen. bananas are a great source of natural energy. 2 bananas will provide enough fuel to your body for well over an hour workout. Why do you thing, athletes of all sorts eat them......Unless you have an allergy to them every one should include them in their diet.

Best fruit IDK if this is true but a banana AFTER a workout is probably better then not eating one. For some raw vegans eating 5 bananas and 3 cups of kale would be their breakfast. All thing in moderation folks.

anthonye123

Did this idiot genuinely just promote durianrider and his dangerous diet? The guy's an idiot. 'The fat you consume is the fat you wear' is a disproven and outdated myth. It doesn't matter what you eat - you can't spot reduce fat. Also there's nothing wrong with eating anything as long as you're in a caloric deficit and meet your fiber and micronutrient needs. Have the occasional pizza if you want - if it fits your macronutrients and the aforementioned micronutrient and fiber needs are already met, it won't hinder your weight loss/gain *AT ALL*

These myths are old and quite frankly you should all know better. Some of you have children, and I hope you're not passing these lies on to them.

nannymarty04

Banana's are a good and healthy fruit, i eat one everyday! eat and enjoy!

anthonye123

Any other foods I should be avoiding? or any thats good for losing tummy fat?

I'm already gluten free, low carb and mainly eat chicken and fish with salad or veg, though thinking of going dairy free and maybe vegan or vegetarian to see if that helps.

The type of food you're eating isn't the problem. You either aren't counting your calories properly, or aren't at enough of a caloric deficit to lose weight. Eat basically what you want in moderation, but track it effectively and make sure you're ~400 calories under your maintenance calories. This can be found, although inaccurate, on myfitnesspal. Are you doing any exercise at all?

abickford82

Ever heard of the banana girl diet? Look that up. Freelee is a super tiny little thing...she don't have ANY problems with excess stomach fat. IMO, I'd avoid the yogurt more than the fruit. I try to eat as "clean" as possible. Limited meat sources, lots and lots of fruits and vegetables. As I get smaller and lean out more I'll probably have to limit my sugars from fruit but right now getting smaller and losing fat isn't an issue from banana consumption.

kommodevaran

how do bananas help prevent HIV infection??

By using the banana instead, I'd reckon.

_Terrapin_

Did this idiot genuinely just promote durianrider and his dangerous diet? The guy's an idiot. 'The fat you consume is the fat you wear' is a disproven and outdated myth. It doesn't matter what you eat - you can't spot reduce fat. Also there's nothing wrong with eating anything as long as you're in a caloric deficit and meet your fiber and micronutrient needs. Have the occasional pizza if you want - if it fits your macronutrients and the aforementioned micronutrient and fiber needs are already met, it won't hinder your weight loss/gain *AT ALL*

These myths are old and quite frankly you should all know better. Some of you have children, and I hope you're not passing these lies on to them.

Anthony, no I am not promoting a raw diet. As for being an idiot, opinions vary. Recommending a (a=one=moderation) banana POST workout is what I'd advocate. By me referencing the 5 banana and 3 cups of kale breakfast is someone's 80/10/10 diet intake for THEIR breakfast. Am I an advocate of this diet? No. Hence the terms moderation in my post above. Hope this helps.

schondell

You should eat all fruit ALONE, as in a mono meal. Because fruit digests quickly, mixing it with other foods can cause bloating in your digestive tract. This is just a proven fact!

Nothing can cause weight gain except an excess of calories.

TX_Rhon

Bananas are wonderful for you. Excellent source of potassium, B vitamins, are great for your digestion, and vision even. Studies even show that condoms help prevent HIV infection. Those ads are BS.

FIFY!!!

OP - I do not subscribe to the "don't eat this" diet plan as I eat bread, pasta and yes - the "evil" sugars!! I have never noticed a difference in my "belly fat" after eating one.

dolthack

I would echo others here in saying that you should stop eating the banana for breakfast. It's just fructose, and your body LOVES fructose because it's easily stored as fat. Ditch the yogurt too unless it's straight greek yogurt. All those other yogurts that are flavored are CRAP. Have you looked at the sugar content?

Start your day with some scrambled eggs, at least three. If you want to, ditch one of the yolks out of the three. But stop starting your day with sugar and start beginning it with protein.

As for the face, neck, etc thinning first - that's natural. The LAST place to go is the stomach fat, so just keep calm and carry on.

LiftAllThePizzas

I keep seeing ads about tips to lose tummy fat or foods that are bad for stomach fat or good for losing it and there is often a pic of a bunch of banana's ..it usually leads to somewhere that wants you to buy a book to find out!

Does anyone on here know if they are bad or not as I had been having a banana for breakfast with some probiotic yoghurt but don't know if they are making things worse...as I seem to be struggling to lose from tummy but arms legs, face and neck etc are noticeably thinner.

Any other foods I should be avoiding? or any thats good for losing tummy fat?

I'm already gluten free, low carb and mainly eat chicken and fish with salad or veg, though thinking of going dairy free and maybe vegan or vegetarian to see if that helps.

I've never seen a fitness-related ad on MFP that wasn't total broscience. I don't know why the site admin sees fit to let such garbage run on their site.

Cranquistador

You should eat all fruit ALONE, as in a mono meal. Because fruit digests quickly, mixing it with other foods can cause bloating in your digestive tract. This is just a proven fact!

oh brother.

egrusy

When I opened up this topic, on the right hand side was "5 foods to never eat" in order to cut belly fat and of course a picture of a banana. Go figure. I also have never clicked on one of those and I agree with those that say bananas are great!! I have one for breakfast every day

Dreamingallday

While reading your post one of those ad things was right there... beside your post.. with the picture of a banana saying " 5 foods to never eat!" It was too perfect.

I watch bananas for the sugar content more than fat or whatever they claim is in them to make people need to stop eating them. A real banana is far better than the fake marshmallow ones I so adored.

If you want banana for breakfast, try making banana oatmeal. I make it in my crockpot once in awhile when I really want the taste of banana and it is a much more satisfying breakfast with more staying power.

Maleficent0241

Eat a banana if you want a banana. You're more likely to die from radiation poisoning than a sugar overdose.

Or you could die of both at the same time! http://www.strangerdimensions.com/2013/05/06/how-much-radiation-is-in-a-single-banana/

Obviously bananas are not going to kill us, though I do remember reading all kinds of panic and fear mongering over the radiation in bananas when it became more common knowledge.

Anyway, unless you have an allergy or something, bananas are not going to hurt you. That ad drives me nuts, and I have been curious to click on it just to see what BS it leads to, but I also don't feel like ending up with that ad all over the place on my computer.

AlongCame_Molly

No.

SugaryLynx

No.

I love bananas. Maybe I should do an all banana diet. Banana smoothie, banana bread, banana meringue pie... I'm hungry. I've got a bunch of bananas. I share...sometimes.