So WHAT is the deal with bananas?

If you're on a low-carb or low-sugar diet, bananas are supposedly the kiss of death. On other diets they're fine because they're a fruit. So which is it? Are they good for you or not? I'm on a low-cal, low-fat diet.

Wed. Oct 12, 5:08pm

I think different people get different results from certain foods... I for example was on a low cal low fat diet for years without much of a result...I basically ate alot of fruit and power bars etc and my weight never changed. Then this past year I was on a low sugar low carb diet and I lost alot of weight. My best friend on the other hand gains weight from eating too much meat or cheese...and basically stays skinny eating low cal granola and crackers...
Bananas are healthy either way so I dont think they should be feared, but I think every one needs to try a couple different diet approaches to find out what their body responds best to. Also all melons are the lowest in sugar of all the fruits, so if your like me and you cant give up fruit go for that.

Wednesday, October 12, 2005, 7:52 PM

Bananas

I love them, I eat about 3 a day

Wednesday, October 12, 2005, 8:07 PM

I'd go bananas without bananas in my diet. Sorry, couldn't resist that one.

Wednesday, October 12, 2005, 10:02 PM

The individuality part is right...

Er rather, blood types. There is a great book, "Eat Right for Your Blood Type" and its lists to sociological, physiological, and pretty common sense reasons as to why certain people do better on certain foods. Its not a diet per say but more like guidelines. I found that many foods I just DONT like were on the do not touch list (it always tells you why)!
O- do well with meats and cheeses (atkins esque)
A- more veggie based is best
AB- balance is best

and so on... check it out!

Thursday, October 13, 2005, 6:19 AM

The Scoop about Bananas

Recently I got this email from one of a good friend of mine, and I use to think bananas were great before but now i think they are just awesome! read below . . .

After reading this, you will NEVER look at a banana in the same way again!

Bananas Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. However, energy is not the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS:
Forget the pills -- eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect way to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power:

200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation:
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness:
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work?
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers:
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control:
Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking:
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress:
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes:
According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine," eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

Thursday, October 13, 2005, 8:43 AM

mmmmm - I find that a banana and a cup of kaishi Good Friends Cinna Raisin Crunch is the one of the most satisfying lunches. It sticks with me all afternoon without making me feel too full and lethargic. Bannanas make me feel full - other fruits, as good as they are, really don't.

Thursday, October 13, 2005, 9:37 AM

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