We’ve been taught that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it turns out that if you thought grabbing a banana was a good idea, you’re wrong. A nutritionist has explained why it’s a bad idea
Bananas
It turns out bananas aren’t the best breakfast food.
When you’re in the middle of the morning rush, it’s easy to grab a banana to eat on the go, but according to a doctor, this is a bad idea.
If you’re in a rush in the morning it can be hard to fit breakfast in, but we’re often reminded how this is the most important meal of the day. In hope of getting your five-a-day in, you might grab a banana to eat on the go. It’s convenient, and it’s a fruit, which is healthy, right?
Sadly, according to one doctor, despite being filled with potassium and vitamin B6, as well as being free of cholesterol and sodium, it isn’t that good as your first meal of the day after all. Nutritional expert Dr Daryl Gioffre explained that, despite seeming like a good option in the morning, they aren’t good for keeping your energy levels sustained throughout the day.
Speaking to Byrdie in 2019, he explained: “Bananas seem like the perfect option to grab and go in the morning, but with a closer look, you’ll find that bananas eaten alone aren’t the best option because they’re 25% sugar and moderately acidic. They’ll give you a quick boost, but you’ll soon be tired and feeling hungry.”
Of course, it’s important to incorporate fruit and vegetables into your diet, and it doesn’t mean you should never eat bananas. You should just make sure you’re pairing your banana with something else. Dr Gioffre added: “Without balancing this banana breakfast with a healthy fat, many of banana’s benefits are lost, while spikes in blood sugar and acid are gained.”
Instead, he recommends pairing bananas with something that will neutralize the acid, and slow down the metabolism of sugar, which should prevent the blood sugar spike, and subsequent crash. He recommends pairing it with something else, either fatty (healthy fats) or with spices. He explained: “Because bananas are acidic, you’ll have to neutralize the acid to get the benefits of potassium, fibre, and magnesium without the sugar rush”.
