I love bananas. They are cheap, delicious, nutritious, and extremely versatile. Before I go bananas about bananas, however, here are some cold hard facts about this life-changing fruit.

Taking healthy to another level Bananas are packed with potassium (one banana contains 467mg!). Potassium is an essential nutrient that helps keep a “normal water balance between cells and body fluids” as well as improving muscle contraction and nerve conduction which ultimately aids in heart functionality and health (Vaid, 2016).  Potassium isn’t the only nutrient bananas offer, however; bananas are also high in tryptophan, fiber, and fructooligosaccharides.  Tryptophan is converted into serotonin by the body which then serves to elevate the mood and make you feel better. Fiber works to keep your digestive system in check and fructooligosaccharides are “non digestive carbohydrates that encourage digestive-friendly priobotics and enhance the body’s ability to absorb calcium” (Szalay, 2014). It’s undeniable bananas offer a myriad of physical and mental health benefits!

Save money, live better: BANANAS According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, bananas, the average price of bananas per pound in America was $0.58 in 2015 as opposed to $1.20 per pound for Red Delicious apples and $2.83 per pound for Red Grapes. In most places in America, you can buy a banana for only 16 cents (BLS)! If you’re eating a banana smoothie for breakfast, you could potentially spend less than a dollar on an entire meal (2 frozen bananas, ½ cup of almond milk at roughly $3.00 per half gallon – roughly 20 cents per half-cup – and ice cubes). So are bananas financially feasible? You betcha.

Versatile AF Bananas are one of the most versatile fruits around. They can be frozen, mashed, baked, beaten, and made into a variety of delicious snacks and meals alike. They can serve as egg substitutes in a plethora of vegan baked goods. You can beat a few eggs and bananas together to make a healthy pancake batter as well. The possibilities are endless. Check out the end of this article for a favorite banana recipe!

Turn the down side into the upside: go green Despite the inherent beauty and grandeur of this starchy scrumptious fruit, bananas are not the most environmentally-friendly fruit for Americans because they are primarily produced and harvested in tropical areas. This means they must be flown overseas to the United States which not only emits huge amounts of CO2 but also often means heavy packaging and excessive waste. However, you can still enjoy a banana without the guilt of hurting the environment in the process. Try finding grocers that sell bananas produced in the United States like California, Florida, Arizona, and Louisiana. You can also compost your banana peels and add calcium, magnesium, sulfur, sodium and other important elements to your soil (Rhoades, 2015).

If you aren’t already sold on the power of the banana, try out this delicious, healthy banana ice cream recipe to taste the wonder for yourself.

Vegan Banana “Ice Cream”

This quick concoction hardly needs a recipe – it’s sweet, easy, cool and a healthy alternative to most cold creamy desserts!

Ingredients

• Two frozen bananas, sliced

• Agave nectar (or honey if you’re not vegan)

• Vanilla extract

Directions

• Peel two bananas and slice them into thin pieces. Put them in a bowl and freeze them overnight or for at least two hours (the more frozen, the creamier the ice cream).

• Once thoroughly frozen, put in a VitaMix, blender, or other food processor. Blend until exceptionally creamy and thick. You may have to stir as the food processor might get stuck (don’t add any liquid to make the bananas more easily processed, though, as this takes away from the texture).

• Add a drizzle of agave and a drop or two of vanilla.

• Scoop into a bowl and serve immediately!

*If you want to mix it up, add chopped chocolate chips, peanut butter, or nuts to the food processor. Feel free to top with fresh fruit and/or chocolate syrup!

UNCW Seahawks – enjoy your summer and this healthy alternative to ice cream! Remember that by choosing a vegan or vegetarian food option, you lower your carbon footprint and ecological impact. Even if the contribution is small, every conscious choice to choose the more ecologically sustainable option contributes to the over-well being of our communities.