Bananas bad?!

[AmyLee]

Someone once told me that if I am going to eat a banana, I should eat it in the morning so I have time to burn it off. I thought bananas were good for you? Does anyone have any idea why she would have told me that?

[Insanexer]

Bananas usually contain Fructose which is not really bad for you but yes they do supply sort of an insulin spike. An average Large banana contains 30 grams of carbs. It depends on your goals basically, if you are active you can probably eat it anytime you want.

[FitRunner]

I think the idea might have been a specific application to bananas of the idea that you should eat more caloric things earlier in the day, because supposedly your metabolism is more active in the morning than at night. (For a fruit, bananas are pretty caloric, 200-250 calories depending on the size of the banana.) However, I'm not convinced that's true, or at least not that there is a difference big enough to matter in practice, and I saw an article entitled "Weight Loss Myths Exposed" in the last issue of Runner's World that said the same. It quoted Tara Gidus, an R.D. from Florida specializing in sports diets and a marathoner herself as saying "As long as you don't take in more calories than you burn in a day, you won't gain weight" followed by a paraphrase of that a calorie at 9PM is no better or worse than a calorie at 9AM. I've heard the idea around, though, so it's a common one!

You're absolutely right - bananas are good for you. They are a cheap and abundant source of potassium, which together with sodium is a key part of our electrolyte balance. We get plenty of sodium for the most part, but potassium is not as common, and so there's more reason to worry about getting enough of it. I personally also find that they calm my stomach. But they are not special when it comes to caloric balance - calories in, calories out is all you need to worry about.

Teresa

[Dave]

Banana's are good for you to be sure, but as Hassan points out, the sugar and carbs are the issue. I think they are really good either pre-workout or post-workout when your body is looking for some sugars and can process them fairly easily. Eating a banana isn't going to kill you, but if you can do it closer to your workout, I think that's probably better in the long run.

[ArmyMike]

You are right on the money Dave. Banana's a great pre and post workout snack and as long as you workout on a regular basis, they are great to snack on anytime of the day.

[AmyLee]

Thanks everyone- I'm still going to enjoy my banana guilt free! :)

(I love it best in my chocolate Shakeology with a little almost butter!)

[Janna414]

I'm re-opening this old thread because I'm having an internal debate on bananas! :) I've been following the Phase 1, Level 1 nutrition guide, and am wondering if at least during Phase 1 of P90x, one should limit the consumption of bananas? I understand from the discussion above that as a whole, bananas are good for you.....yet do contain a lot of fructose and carbs. I wasn't too concerned about it until I noticed a trend on my calorie-counter tool that showed every day my sugars are above the daily recommended amount. It's mostly due to bananas, almond milk (even with the plain variety), and another piece of fruit.

If the goal of Phase 1 nutrition is to limit carbs and sugar....I guess I'm just wondering if I should skip the bananas until Phase II when those are more acceptable? My main goal right now is to build muscle and lose fat.

I typically have 1/2 or 1 banana per day in my Shakeology.

Thanks for your thoughts!

[JimNAZ]

I'm re-opening this old thread because I'm having an internal debate on bananas! :) I've been following the Phase 1, Level 1 nutrition guide, and am wondering if at least during Phase 1 of P90x, one should limit the consumption of bananas? I understand from the discussion above that as a whole, bananas are good for you.....yet do contain a lot of fructose and carbs. I wasn't too concerned about it until I noticed a trend on my calorie-counter tool that showed every day my sugars are above the daily recommended amount. It's mostly due to bananas, almond milk (even with the plain variety), and another piece of fruit.

If the goal of Phase 1 nutrition is to limit carbs and sugar....I guess I'm just wondering if I should skip the bananas until Phase II when those are more acceptable? My main goal right now is to build muscle and lose fat.

I typically have 1/2 or 1 banana per day in my Shakeology.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Hi Janna! I used to be a banana-holic until a couple months ago. I too started to worry about how many carbs this delicious fruit gives you. (BTW: On a side note, I only like them right after being green but before fully ripe) They are a great source of nutrients and energy. A person can do way worse with their food selections. Personally, I feel our meal planning is partly give and take. So, if the bananas that you eat are affecting your macro ratios (to the extent that it bothers you) then either eliminate, cut down, or cut the carbs from somewhere else. I think it is too good of a food to cut out completely. Also, fructose is a lot better than processed sugars.

I say play around with your calorie tracking program and see where you can cut carbs from something else. (OK Teresa be nice) You can always cut out the grain carbs and replace with your banana. You get a lot more from the banana . . . :D

Now on a personal note: Ever since I cut back on my carbs I appear to be extremely sensitive and observant to when I take in a high sugar food (mostly fruit). Now if I would have a large banana it would feel like I drank a cup of coffee. Plus my sinuses start to get congested. The point being is that (at least for me) I would need to eat this type of food either before a big workout or first thing in the morning, and never at night. This leads me to believe that if this sudden "rush" of energy (for lack of a better description) had no where to go, it may end up as calories turned to fat.
So I am kind of on the fence with the "calories in vs calories out" concept. It makes sense and helps when explaining to someone who is just starting out. At the same time I cannot help but think it is also important as to when those calories "in" are eaten.

Just my thoughts . . . .

Jim

[Janna414]

Thanks for your response Jim! I like the idea of enjoying a banana once in awhile, and on those days adjusting other meals as necessary. I just can't convince myself that something as natural as fruit can be completely detrimental! However I can convince myself that they should be monitored and maybe rationed. :) Shakeology won't be the same....but I can live with that....cuz there's no way am I giving up my nut butters!

Crazy how a banana is like caffeine to you now! I guess you know what to eat if you need some energy.

Thanks again!

[JimNAZ]

cuz there's no way am I giving up my nut butters!

Crazy how a banana is like caffeine to you now! I guess you know what to eat if you need some energy.

Thanks again!

I hear you there! Almond milk & almond butter are addicting. You should see me when I run out of almond milk when I want to mix a shake :eek:

I know about the sugar . . . funny thing was when I was answering your post I was having a Shakeology that I mixed with frozen blueberries. Kind of went crazy with the berries when I made it and was buzz'n pretty good while typing! I also have become very sensitive to "processed" foods. I use that word loosly because I still cannot pinpoint exact ingredients. But . . . when I eat a "bad" food/meal (and I try not to let that happen very often) I get all stuffy and feel sluggish. Now I know why I felt so bad for so long. Was eating too much @#$ food!

Jim

[amaez51]

1/2 banana = 1 serving of fruit.