You may have heard the term "Super food" being tossed around in some health blogs. But what exactly is a Super food? Super foods are whole foods that are not processed, so they retain more of their balanced combination of nutrients that nature gave them. These nutrients include a mix of the essentials- fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, and other familiar nutrients that our bodies require to function properly and maintain good health. Super foods also include various natural plant substances called phytonutrients that play an important role in reducing health ailments such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer. The best way to capture all of these benefits is to eat a variety of whole foods. This series will help you choose which super foods you should be including in your diet. Lets get to it...
Today's Super food is Bananas. Bananas may be a bit higher in calories when compared to other fruits, but they are nearly fat free. Bananas are a good source of fiber that helps keep you feeling full, and is a satisfying snack that helps keep your digestive tract functioning well. Bananas are loaded with potassium, and research shows that getting enough potassium and cutting back on sodium may be important for bringing high blood pressure under control. Bananas are also a good source of Vitamin C, which helps your immune system perform at its peak.
There are a variety of bananas out there, but the most common is the Yellow Cavendish. Most bananas ripen after picking, and as they do, their starch turns to sugar. So the riper they are, the sweeter they are. Look for plump firm bananas with no bruises or split skins. Allow bananas to ripen at room temperature. Once they are ripe, refrigerate them to slow the process. The peel will turn brown, but the flesh inside will stay fresh and sweet for a few days.
A little trick to help prevent bananas from browning is to sprinkle a little lemon juice on slices. To salvage bananas that are too ripe, peel and freeze them so they are ready when you want a smoothie. They can be also be thawed for use in banana bread. Bananas are pretty versatile, so go out there find some new uses for bananas. That is all for now. Thanks for stopping by and I will see you again soon.
