Are Bananas Bad for You?

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Replies

  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    I honestly don't believe that any single food is "bad" for you. It's all about moderation and a balanced diet.

    Bananas have a bad reputation by some as they're quite high in cals. If eating a banana every day is causing you to go over into a surplus, then I suppose it's bad for you and your goals if you want to lose fat. However, as a fruit they have plenty of nutrients and are far more natural than a lot of processed food people eat now.

    If you work them into your calories/macros just like everything else, then it'll be fine. I'm having one today :)
  • Legs_McGee
    Legs_McGee Posts: 845 Member
    I hope not. I eat one or two bananas a day. And I don't think they're giving me a fat belly.
  • __Aid__
    __Aid__ Posts: 72 Member
    Yes if you have high potassium levels in your blood, or have kidney failure, otherwise you should be ok

    haven't had a banana in 2 years, damn i miss them :grumble:
  • Seefylol
    Seefylol Posts: 197
    Yes if you have high potassium levels in your blood, or have kidney failure, otherwise you should be ok

    haven't had a banana in 2 years, damn i miss them :grumble:

    Is that why your surfboard looks like a banana? Because you miss them so much that you need something that reminds you of one? :D
  • Dragn77
    Dragn77 Posts: 810 Member
    Yes studies show eating too much banana can send the wrong signal to the opposite sex.

    In one experiment a guy ate only bananas for 30 days. His friends thought he had crossed over to the other side.

    ...maybe it was how he was eating his bananas...
  • MelsAuntie
    MelsAuntie Posts: 2,833 Member
    No, they are healthy and nutritious, and full of potassium. And delicious. Enjoy them. Sheesh.
  • Shaolin_Life
    Shaolin_Life Posts: 53 Member
    Yes and no. do you go over your sugar for the day? then if so yes.

    what?!?!? how does that even make sense?

    God, thank you..... :love:
  • __Aid__
    __Aid__ Posts: 72 Member

    Is that why your surfboard looks like a banana? Because you miss them so much that you need something that reminds you of one? :D

    no substitute for the real thing :o)
  • sozisraw
    sozisraw Posts: 418 Member
    I eat a few a day most days :)
  • Velum_cado
    Velum_cado Posts: 1,608 Member
    Oh lord.
  • thisismeraw
    thisismeraw Posts: 1,264 Member
    Yes and no. do you go over your sugar for the day? then if so yes.

    If you are looking to get super slim any added sugar can be bad but in most peoples situations it's just fine.

    False.

    Extra sugar while in a calorie deficit will not lead to weight gain.
  • lesle1
    lesle1 Posts: 354 Member
    I could not eat like this.. but I find it fascinating that this couple is running a marathon a day around Australia. This is their nutrition page. They eat a lot of bananas. :smile:

    http://www.runningrawaroundaustralia.com/nutrition.html
  • MarishaRea
    MarishaRea Posts: 16 Member
    Bananas are good for you they are full of potassium so they are great for having before exercise as they give you a great energy boost. Also they are a fantastic protein source for after exercise so can help to aid repair of muscle tissue :-)
  • Coyla
    Coyla Posts: 444 Member
    Yes if you have high potassium levels in your blood, or have kidney failure, otherwise you should be ok

    haven't had a banana in 2 years, damn i miss them

    Sorry to hear. :frown:
  • Coyla
    Coyla Posts: 444 Member
    Bananas are okay, but potatoes are better. More potassium, fiber, and protein. All hail the potato!
  • lilbearzmom
    lilbearzmom Posts: 600 Member
    OMG, 1/2 a banana w/ a tablespoon of natural peanut butter is the freaking best most filling snack! I'm in love with it!
  • MarishaRea
    MarishaRea Posts: 16 Member
    Your right Potatoes have more B Complex Vitamins and antioxidant vitamins too as well as Vitamin K and minerals helping to convert your protein, fat and carbohydrates into Energy which is ideal for that energy boost you need before an exercise. I have to say I prefer a potato over a banana any day but my daughter loves them lol :-)
  • lisamarie1780
    lisamarie1780 Posts: 432 Member
    A banana never made anyone fat.
  • SteveJWatson
    SteveJWatson Posts: 1,225 Member
    As long as you are within your calorie goal, then no! Of course not. They have great micronutrients and are dead good for post-workout recovery or pre-workout fuel.

    Eat the goddamn 'nanas, fool.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Bananas have a high glycemic index, so they are broken down into glucose really quickly, which causes a spike in insulin much more quickly than fruits with low glycemic indexes. The spike in insulin is associated with fat storage.

    The association of insulin and fat storage is an oversimplification of how the cycle really works and has been promoted by people trying to sell books extolling the virtues of a low carb diet and how high GI foods are killing you.........

    Here's an item that explains things in layman's terms, it's convenient that the low carnb promoters seem to forget all about glycogen storage (another function of insulin).....

    http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/cellular-microscopic/fat-cell2.htm
  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,273 Member
    Bananas have a high glycemic index, so they are broken down into glucose really quickly, which causes a spike in insulin much more quickly than fruits with low glycemic indexes. The spike in insulin is associated with fat storage.

    The association of insulin and fat storage is an oversimplification of how the cycle really works and has been promoted by people trying to sell books extolling the virtues of a low carb diet and how high GI foods are killing you.........

    Here's an item that explains things in layman's terms, it's convenient that the low carnb promoters seem to forget all about glycogen storage (another function of insulin).....

    Exactly.
    The broscience is strong in this thread. Perhaps the poster you quoted could look at the insulin spike from digesting protein and explain that...
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    ..are Bananas bad for you?
    Only if you stick them in your ear
  • Gwen_B
    Gwen_B Posts: 1,018 Member
    Bananas are loaded with potassium, which is an essential mineral that is sometimes missed if you are on a diet. In addition, the ease of which bananas can be packed, transported, and eaten makes them a great choice if you are on a diet. While bananas are relatively low in calories and fat, they don't necessarily have a whole lot of fiber. Fiber is an essential nutrient if you are on a diet, because it helps to keep you feeling fuller, longer and prevents overeating at future meals. In short, bananas make a good choice if you are on a diet because they are low in calories and fat. However, don't plan on eating a banana and having it keep you feeling full through your afternoon meeting.
    http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/weight-loss/weight-loss-myth-bananas-carrots-and-almonds-are-good-if-you-are-trying-to-lose-weight.html#b
  • heis4u2004
    heis4u2004 Posts: 176 Member
    I was just doing my food diary and one banana had 20 grams of protein and since that sounded wrong I looked for another banana and it had only 1 gram. Sometimes the foods that are listed to choose from can have inaccurate information. So double check. It just seemed silly that one banana can make me go over in the protein intake.
  • fastfoodv
    fastfoodv Posts: 41
    Among other things, bananas are a good source of potassium. If you’re not potassium restricted then enjoy them. One-half of a banana (around 4 inches) or a small banana is a serving size.

    Visit Lisa Tillinger Johansen at www.consultthedietician.com at www.fastfoodvindication.com, on Facebook at Lisa Tillinger Johansen and on Twitter @LisaTJohansen
  • nkrasinski
    nkrasinski Posts: 2
    25 Reasons Bananas ARE Good For You!! :happy:

    1. Bananas help overcome depression due to high levels of tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin -- the happy-mood brain neurotransmitter.

    2. Eat two bananas before a strenuous workout to pack an energy punch and sustain your blood sugar.

    3. Protect against muscle cramps during workouts and nighttime leg cramps by eating a banana.

    4. Counteract calcium loss during urination and build strong bones by supplementing with a banana.

    5. Improve your mood and reduce PMS symptoms by eating a banana, which regulates blood sugar and produces stress-relieving relaxation.

    6. Bananas reduce swelling, protect against type II diabetes, aid weight loss, strengthen the nervous system, and help with the production of white blood cells, all due to high levels of vitamin B-6.

    7. Strengthen your blood and relieve anemia with the added iron from bananas.

    8. High in potassium and low in salt, bananas are officially recognized by the FDA as being able to lower blood pressure and protect against heart attack and stroke.

    9. Rich in pectin, bananas aid digestion and gently chelate toxins and heavy metals from the body.

    10. Bananas act as a prebiotic, stimulating the growth of friendly bacteria in the bowel. They also produce digestive enzymes to assist in absorbing nutrients.

    11. Constipated? High fiber in bananas can help normalize bowel motility.

    12. Got the runs? Bananas are soothing to the digestive tract and help restore lost electrolytes after diarrhoea.

    13. Bananas are a natural antacid, providing relief from acid reflux, heartburn and GERD.

    14. Bananas are the only raw fruit that can be consumed without distress to relieve stomach ulcers by coating the lining of the stomach against corrosive acids.

    15. Eating bananas will help prevent kidney cancer, protects the eyes against macular degeneration and builds strong bones by increasing calcium absorption.

    16. Bananas make you smarter and help with learning by making you more alert. Eat a banana before an exam to benefit from the high levels of potassium.

    17. Bananas are high in antioxidants, providing free radicals and protection from chronic disease.

    18. Eating a banana between meals helps stabilize blood sugar and reduce nausea from morning sickness.

    19. Rub a bug bite or hives with the inside of the banana peel to relieve itching and irritation.

    20. Control blood sugar and avoid binging between meals by eating a banana.

    21. Eating a banana can lower the body temperature and cool you during a fever or on a hot day.

    22. The natural mood-enhancer tryptophan, helps to relieve Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

    23. Quitting smoking? Bananas contain high levels of B-vitamins as well as potassium and magnesium to speed recovery from the effects of withdrawal.

    24. Remove a wart by placing the inside of a piece of banana peel against the wart and taping it in place.

    25. Rub the inside of a banana peel on your leather shoes or handbag and polish with a dry cloth for a quick shine.
  • J72FIT
    J72FIT Posts: 6,002 Member
    Plain and simple...are Bananas bad for you? Every time I pick up a banana for a snack someone seems to be yelling at me "that is going right to belly fat" true or false....

    Absurd...
  • happysquidmuffin
    happysquidmuffin Posts: 651 Member
    We should all worship the mighty banana.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,989 Member
    Only if you leave the peels on the floor you walk on. In moderation, they are fine.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • MelsAuntie
    MelsAuntie Posts: 2,833 Member
    NO, bananas are not bad for you. They are a great source of potassium and they taste great, so have them sliced in curry, raw, sliced with ginger sauce, drizzled with chocolate, the possibilities are endless.
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