Are Bananas Bad for You?

245

Replies

  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    Too much sugar can hinder weight loss, and also if you are trying to cut out the last little bit and hit a really low bf%, thats how.

    What does that have to do with bananas being good or bad? While fruits do have sugar and this sugar can be counted in a generic setting (e.g. nutrition labels and MFP logs), just like fats, all sugars are not created equal, nor will they all have the same effect on the body.

    No one has ever gotten fat eating fruit.

    Yes, people can and have gotten fat from eating fruit. There have been plenty of people that are on this site eating 5 or 6 servings of fruit in a day's time and wondering why they are not losing weight or some people are even gaining..........

    I personally feel that fruit should be looked at as a dessert. Not something you have everyday, unless you eat dessert everyday.

    Me, I eat fruit a couple of times per week. Our diets should be vegetable, protein and fat based. Grains, dairy and fruit should be infrequent additions for optimal health........

    I eat about a quarter or a third of a banana to help with leg cramps. I get leg cramps often due to my low sodium intake in my diet because I consume little or no processed foods and naturally most raw foods are lower in sodium..........
  • Heather75
    Heather75 Posts: 3,386 Member
  • Angela4Health
    Angela4Health Posts: 1,319 Member
    Wow... just WOW!
  • HolleeERL
    HolleeERL Posts: 313 Member
    They're not "bad" for you - they're just not the best choice most of the time.

    Bananas have a high glycemic index after they ripen, which means that unless you're eating green bananas, they affect your blood sugar levels similar to when you eat white bread or sugar.

    While most fruits like apples contain fructose and glucose, ripe bananas contain an extra kind of sugar: sucrose, which is basically akin to table sugar. That third type of sugar is why they affect blood sugar the way they do, and why a lot of people say don't eat them.

    If you have one occasionally, it probably won't throw off your diet. Bananas have a lot of nutrients and benefits. But if you're trying to lose weight, I wouldn't make that your fruit of choice.

    Thank you. thkelly this is what I mean....again please read.

    yes this is a great answer. unlike your blanket statement that they're good and bad which makes no sense at all.

    It made perfect sense to me...
  • alana1966
    alana1966 Posts: 34
    I was really wondering the same thing when I saw how much sugar was added when I added one to my diary.... :(

    Everything in moderation I guess....
  • emilysebastian
    emilysebastian Posts: 245 Member
    If being super fit and healthy means giving up bananas, then i will be unhealthy with a fat belly forever! :laugh: That being said, while I'm certain the sugars in bananas affect you, I've lost 5 inches off my waist and eat a banana nearly every day. The info listed earlier regarding their glycemic index makes sense, and lucky for me I generally eat them after I work-out. If they help you stay on track (vs grabbing cake or chocolate) I say keep 'em around!
  • zatsdeb
    zatsdeb Posts: 20 Member
    bananas are good for you, they are a filling food, and a fruit, but if you eat too many in 1 day the calories add up and carbs!
    1 medium banana..
    Calories 80 Sodium 1 mg
    Total Fat 0 g Potassium 422 mg
    Saturated 0 g Total Carbs 27 g
    Polyunsaturated 0 g Dietary Fiber 3 g
    Monounsaturated 0 g Sugars 14 g
    Trans 0 g Protein 1 g
    Cholesterol 0 mg
    Vitamin A 2% Calcium 1%
    Vitamin C 17% Iron 2
  • Ante_Up
    Ante_Up Posts: 141 Member

    Love the banana pistol hahaha

    On topic I personally feel bananas are good for you, I love them! But like any food you have to take into account the calories etc.
  • Janworkingitout
    Janworkingitout Posts: 434 Member
    I eat a banana almost everyday since beginning my lifestyle change, hasn't hurt me any. You should be more concerned about fast food, junk food, refined sugar, rather than bananas.
  • spcopps
    spcopps Posts: 283
    I often mix a banana in with my protein shake after I work out b/c you need those carbs to help the protein get into your muscles!

    My answer to your question would be anything eaten in moderation is not bad for you....

    I 2nd this...I do the same thing DIRECTLY after a workout I will make a protein smoothy with 1 scoop protein, 1 banana and a cup of water YUMMY..
  • spcopps
    spcopps Posts: 283
  • Bridgetc140
    Bridgetc140 Posts: 405 Member
    Most monkeys are in pretty good shape.

    LMAO...loved this answer!
  • My dietician told me to stay away from most tropical fruits. Banana's are my favorite though. If I have to have one I was told a serving size is only half a small banana.
  • TubbsMcGee
    TubbsMcGee Posts: 1,058 Member
    :huh: ...
  • TubbsMcGee
    TubbsMcGee Posts: 1,058 Member
    Too much sugar can hinder weight loss, and also if you are trying to cut out the last little bit and hit a really low bf%, thats how.

    What does that have to do with bananas being good or bad? While fruits do have sugar and this sugar can be counted in a generic setting (e.g. nutrition labels and MFP logs), just like fats, all sugars are not created equal, nor will they all have the same effect on the body.

    No one has ever gotten fat eating fruit.

    Yes, people can and have gotten fat from eating fruit. There have been plenty of people that are on this site eating 5 or 6 servings of fruit in a day's time and wondering why they are not losing weight or some people are even gaining..........

    I personally feel that fruit should be looked at as a dessert. Not something you have everyday, unless you eat dessert everyday.

    Me, I eat fruit a couple of times per week. Our diets should be vegetable, protein and fat based. Grains, dairy and fruit should be infrequent additions for optimal health........

    I eat about a quarter or a third of a banana to help with leg cramps. I get leg cramps often due to my low sodium intake in my diet because I consume little or no processed foods and naturally most raw foods are lower in sodium..........

    What?! You seriously only eat fruit for dessert?

    The Canadian Food Guide reccomends at least 5-10 servings of fruits/veggies EVERY DAY
  • Zombriana
    Zombriana Posts: 764 Member
    They're bad for me.
    I'm allergic. :[
  • peepocheck
    peepocheck Posts: 57 Member
    Makes sense.......that may be why I keep trying to lose that last 6 lbs. but it won't budge. I absolutely love peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I have one almost every day when I get home from work. Plus being over 60 makes for a very slow metabalium (whatever- I'm only a tutor - so why should I be able to spell?)
  • ktc33
    ktc33 Posts: 249 Member
    I love bananas!
  • Elzecat
    Elzecat Posts: 2,916 Member
    banana peels can be dangerous

    istockphoto_9226639-banana-peel-slip.jpg

    Thank you for the giggle...I sure needed that today.
  • Tomhusker
    Tomhusker Posts: 346 Member
    I eat 3 bananas a day. Every day. BUT, I have a LOT of weight to lose and my daily calories are pretty high yet. I expect that once I start to "struggle" with the lower calorie counts I will reduce to maybe 1 a day. I have noticed in the past couple of months that I no longer get cramps in my calf muscles.I attribute this, at least partly, to the bananas.
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    No.

    Bananas are food, I refuse to believe that eating a banana (as part of an overall balanced diet!) is going to make my belly fatter.

    They grow on trees and contain natural sugars and carbs. Just make sure you log them in your diary and you will be able to see how they fit in with the balance of what you need to eat.
  • SabrinaJL
    SabrinaJL Posts: 1,579 Member
    My mom is a 61 year old diabetic who eats a banana almost every day and has lost 60 or 70 lbs. For me, I have blood pressure issues and I'm trying to get in all the potassium I can, so I usually have 4-5 a week.
  • TubbsMcGee
    TubbsMcGee Posts: 1,058 Member
    Makes sense.......that may be why I keep trying to lose that last 6 lbs. but it won't budge. I absolutely love peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I have one almost every day when I get home from work. Plus being over 60 makes for a very slow metabalium (whatever- I'm only a tutor - so why should I be able to spell?)

    Do you think that maybe it's the fatty PEANUT BUTTER that could be contributing to your weight, and not the bananas?
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    Makes sense.......that may be why I keep trying to lose that last 6 lbs. but it won't budge. I absolutely love peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I have one almost every day when I get home from work. Plus being over 60 makes for a very slow metabalium (whatever- I'm only a tutor - so why should I be able to spell?)

    Do you think that maybe it's the fatty PEANUT BUTTER that could be contributing to your weight, and not the bananas?

    More than likely not. Fat burns fat, where sugar does not burn fat. Most people that have problems with dropping weight are eating too much sugar and too low of fat intake.
  • Loveyoga8
    Loveyoga8 Posts: 1
    No. Great in potassium and fiber. I eat one everyday and am pretty fit. Just like everything else, eat one and not 5.
  • jess6742
    jess6742 Posts: 146
    I eat one or two bananas a day. They are a great snack and really filling. If you are having trouble losing weight it's probably other foods in your diet not bananas.
  • beccajay03
    beccajay03 Posts: 2 Member
    Has anyone hear read 80/10/10 or anything about raw veganism? I suggest looking up Freelea... she and other "30 bananas a day" people have pretty well convinced me that fruit will not hurt you!
    Yes, if you are diabetic or looking to get down to <5% bf, maybe you should be a little more cautious, but for the average person, bananas and all other fruits are wonderful sources of energy, and carbs are not the devil!

    To each their own, and I'm not pushing my opinion on anyone, but I eat at least 3 servings of delicious fruit a day and will continue to do so.
  • PepperWorm
    PepperWorm Posts: 1,206
    I eat bananas multiple times a week.

    Foods are not "bad" for you. Calorie dense, maybe. Not bad.
  • ironlady10
    ironlady10 Posts: 10 Member
    They're not bad for you but anything in saturation/too much of is always bad - moderation is the key! I get serious stomach cramping from bananas.. I love them but I cant eat them for keeling over and staying on the floor for about an hour until the cramping subsides
  • NormInv
    NormInv Posts: 3,303 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.
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