Dietitians Dish – July 08, 2019
Cool Off with Sweet Treats Naturally
With the heat of summer upon us, frozen treats are a great way to cool off. But with all the talk about added sugars contributing to health problems, it’s important to indulge with better-for-you options.
Bananas are versatile, naturally-sweet and available year-round. Too often they get bad-mouthed as being high in sugar, while their nutritional benefits are overlooked.
But, the benefits abound…
- Pre-exercise carb loading
- Post-exercise refueling – carbs (energy) and potassium
- Hydration – 75% water content
- Heart helper – saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium free
Bananas’ good source of these nutrients helps in the following ways:
- Fiber – aids digestion & blood sugar control
- Potassium – helps regulate blood pressure & heart health
- Vitamin C – helps boost immunity
- Vitamin B6 – stabilizes mood / may prevent memory decline & aids metabolism
- Manganese – boosts collagen to protect skin health
Basic Banana Swirl
Ingredients:
- 4 ripe bananas
Directions:
- Slice bananas into 1/2-inch pieces and place on a baking tray in a single layer. Freeze for 2 hours.
- Remove from the freezer and place in a food processor or high-powered blender.
- Pulse to break up the banana slices, then puree until creamy. Scrape the bowl as needed and continue pureeing until creamy and smooth.
- Serve immediately for a soft-serve consistency. Freeze in a container for hard ice cream consistency. Sit for about 5 minutes for easier scooping.
Flavor Fusions:
Strawberry Banana – Add frozen strawberry slices to the pureeing process.
Banana Cocoa-Nut – Add 1/4 cup of nut butter and 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the frozen sliced bananas; then pulse, scrape and puree as above. If using a food processor, add a little bit of milk (any type) to help it puree.