When I switched to a plant based lifestyle, bananas very quickly became foundational to my diet. My day typically begins with a fruit smoothie for breakfast, and a couple of bananas go into the blender first.
And no wonder this powerful antiviral food is an important part of my diet. According to Life Changing Foods, by Anthony William, bananas are high in the amino acid trptophan, and help to ease sleep disorders, reduce anxiety and alleviate depression. They destroy fungus and remove unproductive bacteria in the intestinal tract, while enhancing B12.
Bananas are antispasmodic for hyperactive colons, relieve gastric cramps and help to reverse colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and Crohn’s disease. They are also wonderful blood sugar stabilizers.
Although bananas have been blamed for being too high in sugar, in reality the sugar in the ripe fruit is completely different from processed sweeteners in desserts. The fruit sugar in bananas is bonded to crucial minerals such as manganese, selenium, potassium and copper. The rich supply of antioxidants, vitamins, and phytonutrients in bananas is the reason they are able to help fight diseases.
Not only do I add bananas to my daily smoothie, I include them in my meals in a variety of other ways. I purchase very ripe bananas at the market, slice them up and freeze them in gallon sized bags in a single layer. The frozen bananas are great to add to smoothies, if I am out of fresh fruit, and blended in a food processor or high speed blender, they transform into a cold and creamy dessert with the texture of ice cream.
I chop them up to add to fruit salads, and grab a banana to take with me when I am on the go. They are the best before and after workout food available and make perfect travel snacks. I have tried several drink recipes, with frozen or fresh bananas as the base. This afternoon, I sampled a new one!
Banana Milk
In a blender combine 1 fresh banana, 1 cup of unsweetened non dairy milk, 2 tablespoons of gluten free oats, 1 teaspoon raw organic honey and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Blend until smooth.
This cold, frothy drink makes a great late afternoon pick me up. I savored it. Using a frozen banana would create a milkshake like consistency.
Bananas are at the optimal stage for eating when the skin is yellow, with brown speckles. Purchase them before they are completely ripe, and consume them as they reach peak nutrition.
Anthony writes that on an emotional level, bananas strengthen the core of who we are, encouraging us to peel back our false layers and reveal our true selves. They help reverse a state of mind that is saturated with fear and help us to release unproductive behaviors.
What an incredibly beneficial fruit. Going bananas? Yes, I think I will!
