Is a Banana Worth the Calories?

To go bananas or not? Are the calories worth the bite? The Quint spoke to 3/3 nutritionists, who say, “Yes!”

Should you go bananas or not? (Photo: iStock)

It’s in everybody’s kitchen and your bowl of cornflakes. From smoothies to breads and muffins and on their own, bananas are a healthy eater’s dream food. But last year, a zoo in the UK banned bananas from its primates’ cages. The reason? They’re too sugary, high in calories and could give rise to health problems like type-2 diabetes in monkeys. So what about humans?

Many nutrition experts and gym-trainers talk back and forth about whether bananas are a food saviour or a skip. So we decided to get the verdict out on this natural snack which has a very bad reputation!

Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?

3/3 experts give a YAY to a-banana-a-day ritual. (Photo: iStock)

Nutritionist Shikha Sharma gives a-banana-a-day ritual the green light. But aren’t they fattening?

The truth is that bananas are a real power food and as long as you don’t overdo it on the portion size, a banana in the morning will keep you energised. If eaten at dinner, it will mess up your metabolism.
– Shikha Sharma, Nutritionist

Bananas have a very high potassium content. A medium fruit has around 500mg of potassium, that’s a-fifth of your daily recommended dose by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Those who consume more potassium have a significantly lower risk of stroke.

A banana that is seven to eight inches long has 105 calories. It is relatively dense than other types of fruit but for those calories, you will receive a significant nutritional pay-off.
– Neha Chaddha, Nutritionist

Losing weight or gaining weight with bananas depends on how much you eat. Portion size is the key. If you eat eight to ten bananas a day, apart from regular meals, you will gain weight.
–Purvi Duggal, Nutritionist

Go Bananas, Here’s Why:

Vitamin B6 helps produce insulin, hemoglobin and antibodies that help fight infections. (Photo: The Quint)

There’s a reason why most of the world’s best athletes love bananas. Olympian Yohan Blake reportedly eats 16 bananas a day! If you’re active, bananas are a great option to fuel your muscles. (Photo: The Quint)

Bananas are high in blood pressure-lowering potassium. (Photo: The Quint)

Feeling under the weather? Bananas and curd work wonders for loosies! (Photo: The Quint)

They pack an incredible amount of nutrition and health benefits at an incredibly low cost. (Photo: The Quint)

Bananas help you feel peachy. A small banana provides 27 mg magnesium, which is known to boost the mood. Low levels of this mineral are linked to depression, anxiety, irritability and other mood disorders. Since many of us don’t get enough magnesium in our diets, consider a banana as your chill pill. (Photo: The Quint)

BRB, going for the lowest-calorie creamy banana smoothie!

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