Bananas – Good or Bad for fat loss?
So today I was training a client and we were talking about which fruits were good or bad for fat loss in terms of how much sugar they have. I said that bananas are OK because they’re low on the Glycemix Index (GI). The glycemic index is a rating given to foods based on how much they spike your blood sugar levels. The higher the food on the GI scale, the more it will spike your blood sugar.
With regard to fat loss, you don’t want to eat foods that are high on the GI scale because a spike in blood sugar means that you body has to release more insulin to process that sugar. That’s not good because higher insulin levels have been shown promote the storage of fat in your body. Therefore, you want to eat foods that have a low GI.
Back to my story: So another trainer heard me saying that bananas are ok because they are low on the GI scale and she said that wasn’t true. She said that bananas are actually very high on the GI scale.
So I did a little research and this is what I found:
Bananas have a LOW glycemic index rating. They are ok to eat. However, the riper a banana gets, the more sugar it will have so my other fellow trainer was also correct to an extent. I’m not saying you have to eat green bananas, but if they are too ripe, then they will definitely have more sugar.
Bananas are also a slow digesting carbohydrate and a good source of fibre.
The verdict: You can eat bananas.
February 4, 2010
3:04 pm
I am not completely sure about them being good or bad for weight loss, and i will take your lead on this. One thing i can say without doubt is that if i am feeling a little under the weather, one banana and 30 minutes later I am on top of the world. It seems to flip negativity into positivity. I also find Spirulina acts in a similar manner…..
February 9, 2010
4:12 pm
So you mean there are fruits that are not good for weight loss. Haha. I have been doing fruit days once a week since a year now. Just eating fresh fruits all day long and drinking lots of water.
I thought I cant do anything wrong with that…
Thanks for the article!
February 11, 2010
5:32 am
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February 18, 2010
3:35 am
I think the good of eating bananas outweighs the bad. Fibre is one of the best reasons to have them, and then they got Potassium – the good salt. Also, it is said they are good for memory because they contain B6.
But it is good to know that too ripe bananas may pose a sugar problem, than their not-so-ripe counterparts. Helpful when choosing them on my next grocery run. Thanks for that info.
March 14, 2010
8:10 am
You’re right on. Couldn’t have said it better myself
March 15, 2010
5:26 am
Great article! Thanks for the awareness.
March 15, 2010
11:17 pm
I really like bananas
April 7, 2010
6:59 am
Eating good carbohydrates and dietary fiber from fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes in the diet stimulated. Somewhere i heard about bananas that they does plays an important role to loose weight and help in weight loose programme as well though i am not completely sure about it.
April 8, 2010
7:26 am
This is such an informative post about bananas.I like to eat bananas.Bananas consist mainly of sugars and fiber.Banana is also an energy booster so it helps a lot by having one banana after exercise.Bananas are healthy food.
April 11, 2010
3:13 pm
Green bananas actually help us to lose weight, although they also give stomach ache. The best thing about bananas is that you can eat them before and even during a workout. Many long distance runners eat bananas while running.
April 24, 2010
6:12 am
Bananas are good workout fuel. One pound per week is a fairly healthy rate for weight loss. You’ll reach your goal in less than a year and you won’t hurt yourself doing it. Losing weight too fast- along with being dangerously unhealthy- is almost never permanent
May 10, 2010
10:29 pm
I love to eat bananas but I’m too afraid that it may be bad for my diet. Thanks for the information at least now I know that banana is still good only when they are not too ripe.
June 3, 2010
10:16 am
Bananas are definitely good to eat before workouts as they digest slowly and so give you energy all through the workout.
June 17, 2010
6:32 am
Bananas will prevent constipation. It is a vitamin content fruit…..
July 25, 2010
2:02 am
Bananas are good and provide stamina. You can eat bananas without any fear but you must do exercises too.