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HEALTHY SNACK FOODS

Pick One Of The Best Healthy Snack Foods And Go Bananas!

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Bananas are one of the best healthy snack foods around. They are the delicious yellow-skinned tropical fruit grown in bunches on the banana plant and easily purchased at the market. You will discover here why they are the perfect healthy snack food for a variety of reasons, as well as learn some fun ideas for banana snacking and a sweet banana treat recipe.

What makes bananas the perfect snack food? When you are on the go bananas are a convenient size and come with their own sturdy peel so you don’t even need to put them in a plastic baggy. They are just the right size for lunch boxes, backpacks, fanny packs, and purses. Just toss one in and you’re on your way!

The banana is a very healthy food choice to make also. It is loaded with potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. They are a great source of energy before a workout and helpful during the recovery period after exercise. After a hard workout such as running, biking, swimming, or any other physical activity, eating a banana will help restore the electrolyte balance of your body and help your muscles to recover faster. Bananas are often seen being handed out to participants at the end of a marathon or organized bike ride for just this purpose.

Here are a few other key health benefits:

  • Bananas are eaten to reduce morning sickness and depression.
  • The fiber content provides a natural way to ease constipation.
  • With low sodium content, the banana can be used in low-salt and heart-healthy diets.
  • The banana contains tryptophan which can help you to relax.

Once out of the peel, how else can you use a banana as part of a meal or snack?

  • Slice some of your pancakes.
  • Banana bread.
  • Banana pudding with banana slices and vanilla cookies.
  • A banana smoothie.

Here’s a sweet treat recipe from my girl-scout days that we cooked over the campfire but you can also cook in an oven.

Banana Boats

Peel one banana and place in foil with 8 chocolate morsels, 6 small marshmallows and wrap in foil. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes in a 350-degree oven. The recipe makes one serving.

Personally, I think I would add a few more of those yummy chocolate morsels now. Do they make them in dark chocolate? Just so I could get those added health benefits!

As you can see, the banana is one of the best healthy snack foods around, easy to tote and can be eaten in a variety of ways.