bananas good or bad for weightloss?

kaitlynnrogers
kaitlynnrogers Posts: 142 Member
in Food and Nutrition
i usually have about 2 or 3 a day because i love them so much but realized they are really high in carbs...am i eating too many a day? i've heard they are bad for weightloss and also heard that they are good...help please!
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Replies

  • laineyluma
    laineyluma Posts: 358 Member
    http://lifehacker.com/5895525/are-bananas-as-bad-for-you-as-cookies-which-foods-to-eat-to-keep-you-full-and-not-crash-later

    Just something I was looking at earlier, thought it was interesting.
  • batalina
    batalina Posts: 209 Member
    all i've heard about them that's bad is that they can be "binding", or in other words, they can lead to constipation... and that can impede weight loss. so if you notice yourself not having as many -- ahem -- movements... maybe cut back on the nanners!
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    i usually have about 2 or 3 a day because i love them so much but realized they are really high in carbs...am i eating too many a day? i've heard they are bad for weightloss and also heard that they are good...help please!

    Neither, calories then macronutrients matter, the actual sources matter little. So if you are getting in adequate protein and fats every day and can maintain a calorie deficit while eating the bananas, then go for it
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    http://lifehacker.com/5895525/are-bananas-as-bad-for-you-as-cookies-which-foods-to-eat-to-keep-you-full-and-not-crash-later

    Just something I was looking at earlier, thought it was interesting.

    Pretty sure that is based off Susanna Holt's study and funny I don't see jellybeans or white potatoes on the chart, both of which scored quite high on the satiety index (white boiled potatoes were actually found most satiating) but since those don't go along with their little low GI for satiety, I guess they left them off
  • ImNotThatBob
    ImNotThatBob Posts: 371 Member
    Neither, calories then macronutrients matter, the actual sources matter little. So if you are getting in adequate protein and fats every day and can maintain a calorie deficit while eating the bananas, then go for it

    Plus they make for some radical smoothies!
  • SarahSwimmer
    SarahSwimmer Posts: 125 Member
    hahaha this reminds me of that silly ad MFP has running on it "the five foods not to eat to lose weight" and has an animated banana browning. I lost my first 5 or 10 pounds by dropping a lot of processed carbs and substituting with 2 bananas a day, along with whole grains. I think they're healthy! (As long as you're not counting them as totally "free" because you're on weight watchers and eating loads; either way, I found two a day is a pretty good number)
  • 123Kate
    123Kate Posts: 32 Member
    nothing wrong with them IMO. I onyl eat one a day at the most simply because between me and 3 kids thats 4 bananas a day (lucky hubby doesnt eat them!) and they arent cheap lol. I limit all fruits to one a day of each variety between all of us, that way we get lots of different fruits in (apples, bananas, plums, kiwifruits etc) which all have differing nutrients so more balanced than filling up on just one fruit

    but overall it doesnt really matter as long as you arent overeating
  • fittiephd
    fittiephd Posts: 608 Member
    all i've heard about them that's bad is that they can be "binding", or in other words, they can lead to constipation... and that can impede weight loss. so if you notice yourself not having as many -- ahem -- movements... maybe cut back on the nanners!

    Same, I've heard that as well. I usually have .5 to 1 per day, 2 to 3 is a little excessive since you may also be going over your sugar intake because fruits are high in sugar. Even though natural sugar is better than added sugar it's still something to watch out for.
  • mando784
    mando784 Posts: 1
    so.. good or bad... ---> Bananas
  • vijisrik
    vijisrik Posts: 11
    It has lots of nutrients. Dont have i along with food. Have as a meal of its own and it is good for health.
  • HideNGeek
    HideNGeek Posts: 136 Member
    I go by the idea that it's fresh fruit, therefore, good for you in moderation, too much of a good thing becomes a bad thing.
    I have one every day without fail, for breakfast, great source of energy.
  • Anonymou5
    Anonymou5 Posts: 92
    http://lifehacker.com/5895525/are-bananas-as-bad-for-you-as-cookies-which-foods-to-eat-to-keep-you-full-and-not-crash-later

    Just something I was looking at earlier, thought it was interesting.

    Pretty sure that is based off Susanna Holt's study and funny I don't see jellybeans or white potatoes on the chart, both of which scored quite high on the satiety index (white boiled potatoes were actually found most satiating) but since those don't go along with their little low GI for satiety, I guess they left them off

    White potatoes are on the chart, they are actually off the chart because of their high satiety rating!
  • iluxoxo211
    iluxoxo211 Posts: 241 Member
    I usually eat one a day.. any and everything is perfectly fine as long as you can keep things in moderation..its all about balance.. I say if you love bananas there is NO harm in eating them as long as they fit in your daily goal :flowerforyou:
  • JoniBologna
    JoniBologna Posts: 653 Member
    I have never given up bananas. They're great for you! :smile:
  • darlilama
    darlilama Posts: 794 Member
    I love bananas! They are one fruit that I do watch how much I eat, though, just because they pack a higher calorie and sugar punch. But, hey, they have lots of good stuff and they taste good with almost everything! :)
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    bananas are ok but there is nothing magical about them. if you want to use all those calories for that many bananas every day then go for it but I would mix it up a bit more just to avoid all the sugar carbs in that many bananas
  • TexanThom
    TexanThom Posts: 778
    I love me some banana puddin..
  • ahamm002
    ahamm002 Posts: 1,690 Member
    Bananas are a fruit, and epidemiology (an imperfect science at best) consistantly shows that people who choose to eat a lot of fruit tend to live a bit longer. So they're definitely not "bad for you." But, like any other food, they have calories which must be taken into account. I personally find bananas fairly filling, but there are some people who can really eat a lot of bananas.

    And they do make for awesome smoothies!
  • LeenaRuns
    LeenaRuns Posts: 1,309 Member
    Banana + peanut butter = awesome, filling, and nutritious.
  • Linda_Darlene
    Linda_Darlene Posts: 453 Member
    Definitely continue to eat them! They are good for you. Maybe not 3 a day, but it just depends on how much of your daily intake you want to dedicate to them.
  • Matt_Wild
    Matt_Wild Posts: 2,673 Member
    If they fit into your calories for the day, neither good nor bad. I avoid them as they are quite calorie dense and not very filling weight for weight.
  • acstansell
    acstansell Posts: 567 Member
    I eat a banana a day. I like the potassium and the fiber. I'll deal with the sugar and carbs to get the other two items. They are filling and sustain me through lunch or are great after a run.
  • Rocbola
    Rocbola Posts: 1,998 Member
    I'm drinking a banana and date smoothie right now as i write this. BANANAS ARE AWESOME!!!!!! I have bananas almost every day, and i have since i started my weight loss. It's better to eat bananas and have enough carbs to be satiated than to sit around all day craving. They are the perfect take along food in the morning, too. Running late? Grab a pile of bananas and eat them later. Don't like littering? Bananas come with their own little wrapper that is biodegradable and can be thrown anywhere. Nature's perfect breakfast food.
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    Bananas have lots of good things in them. Like fiber, potassium and vitamins. As you notes, they are very high in carbs, and according to the chart, they don't help you feel as full. That said, they are awesome to help with cramping from exercising. I eat one a day.
  • JoolieW68
    JoolieW68 Posts: 1,879 Member
    I eat at least one per day, and if i have a 2nd it's in a smoothie.

    So far I am just ignoring the 3rd eye that has sprouted in my forehead and the 6th toe that doesn't fit right in my shoe......
  • cheesy_blasters
    cheesy_blasters Posts: 283 Member
    I eat a frozen banana (with a little coconut) instead of ice cream everyday. Super satisfying.

    If they fit into your macros, I don't see an issue with them.
  • mikeyrp
    mikeyrp Posts: 1,616 Member
    Agree with the others: It doesn't matter what you eat so long as it fits your macros. Personally I wouldn't want to eat three a day but that's just me.
  • southernpurplevegan
    southernpurplevegan Posts: 48 Member
    Neither, calories then macronutrients matter, the actual sources matter little. So if you are getting in adequate protein and fats every day and can maintain a calorie deficit while eating the bananas, then go for it

    Plus they make for some radical smoothies!

    Couldn't agree more.
  • BAMFMeredith
    BAMFMeredith Posts: 2,810 Member
    I eat a banana every day before I work out, they're the perfect snack for me! As long as your calories/macros are in check, eat them bananas. At least it's not 2 or 3 candy bars or bags of chips per day!
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    Bananas are food, they aren't inherently good or bad. They have no magical properties that will make you suddenly gain or lose weight.
    If you like them and you're eating a varied diet and they fit into your calories and macros, I don't see a problem.

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