After a long hard day at work, you want a treat that’s warm, delicious, and filling. Banana bread seems to be the perfect treat since it can be eaten as a dessert or for breakfast in the morning. But is banana bread bad for you or is it okay to have a slice of it every day? Here’s what you should know about banana bread and how healthy it is.
What Is Banana Bread?
Although everyone has their own recipe for banana bread, it’s typically made with bananas, butter/oil, flour, baking soda, sugar, eggs, baking powder, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Many people ask “can I use self-rising flour for banana bread” and the answer is yes; you just may need to adjust the measurements so that your banana bread doesn’t come out weird.
What Is The Nutrition Of Banana Bread?
There is no definitive answer because, again, everyone’s recipe is different. It depends on the ingredients that are used since it can be made paleo or even gluten-free. However, the most traditional recipes for banana bread are high in carbs and fat. For a slice of banana bread that weighs 100 grams, it has:
● Calories: 421
● Fat: 15.8 grams
● Carbs: 68.4 grams
● Protein: 5.3 grams
● Fiber: 1.8 grams
● Sugar: 42.1 grams
● Sodium: 298 mg
Although this recipe is high in sugar and low in protein and fiber, that doesn’t mean that it’s entirely unhealthy. Bananas are a good source of key vitamins and minerals, such as potassium and vitamin B6. You can also choose to use enriched flour in your recipe, which provides you with more B vitamins and iron.
The Health Effects Of Banana Bread
Banana bread is definitely considered more of a dessert than anything else. It should be enjoyed as an occasional treat instead of as a regular part of your diet. Although it contains some vitamins and minerals, they are not enough to balance out the sugar content and have it labeled as a “healthy food.” It would be better to prioritize healthier, more nutritious foods over banana bread whenever possible.
Is It Possible To Make Banana Bread Healthier?
It is possible to switch out a few ingredients in your recipe and make a much healthier banana bread. For example, you could switch out regular flour for cashew or almond flour, which reduces carbs and sugar and increases the amounts of fiber and protein. This can make a piece of banana bread a bit more filling and have a reduced effect on your blood sugar.
However, keep in mind that making any substitutions can change the overall texture of the banana bread, so it’s going to be quite different from the banana bread you’re used to.
If you’re looking to try out a new recipe for banana bread, be sure to check what the ingredients are and see if you can make any alternatives. Banana bread is a delicious treat, but if you can make it a little healthier, you can enjoy a slice a little more guilt-free.
