It’s in everybody’s kitchen and your bowl of cornflakes. From smoothies to breads and muffins and on their own, bananas are a healthy eater’s dream food. But last year, a zoo in the UK banned bananas from its primates’ cages. The reason? They’re too sugary, high in calories and could give rise to health problems like type-2 diabetes in monkeys. So what about humans?
Many nutrition experts and gym-trainers talk back and forth about whether bananas are a food saviour or a skip. So we decided to get the verdict out on this natural snack which has a very bad reputation!
Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?
![To go bananas or not? Are the calories worth the bite? The Quint spoke to 3/3 nutritionists, who say, “Yes!”](https://images.thequint.com/thequint%2F2015-09%2F76deeb93-802b-4b6f-aded-085b614e1587%2FScreen%20Shot%202015-09-22%20at%205.22.22%20pm.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720)
Nutritionist Shikha Sharma gives a-banana-a-day ritual the green light. But aren’t they fattening?
The truth is that bananas are a real power food and as long as you don’t overdo it on the portion size, a banana in the morning will keep you energised. If eaten at dinner, it will mess up your metabolism.
– Shikha Sharma, Nutritionist
Bananas have a very high potassium content. A medium fruit has around 500mg of potassium, that’s a-fifth of your daily recommended dose by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Those who consume more potassium have a significantly lower risk of stroke.
A banana that is seven to eight inches long has 105 calories. It is relatively dense than other types of fruit but for those calories, you will receive a significant nutritional pay-off.
– Neha Chaddha, Nutritionist
Losing weight or gaining weight with bananas depends on how much you eat. Portion size is the key. If you eat eight to ten bananas a day, apart from regular meals, you will gain weight.
–Purvi Duggal, Nutritionist
Go Bananas, Here’s Why:
![To go bananas or not? Are the calories worth the bite? The Quint spoke to 3/3 nutritionists, who say, “Yes!”](https://images.thequint.com/thequint%2F2015-09%2Ff5a254c5-801d-47e2-917c-956187be784b%2Fbanana%204%20(1).jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720)
![To go bananas or not? Are the calories worth the bite? The Quint spoke to 3/3 nutritionists, who say, “Yes!”](https://images.thequint.com/thequint%2F2015-09%2Fce50d542-14ae-4e09-a9b1-530620e660a2%2FScreen%20Shot%202015-09-23%20at%2011.49.00%20am.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720)
![To go bananas or not? Are the calories worth the bite? The Quint spoke to 3/3 nutritionists, who say, “Yes!”](https://images.thequint.com/thequint%2F2015-09%2F92ac601a-5e62-4ebf-8056-68687c257d81%2FScreen%20Shot%202015-09-23%20at%2012.08.40%20pm.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720)
![To go bananas or not? Are the calories worth the bite? The Quint spoke to 3/3 nutritionists, who say, “Yes!”](https://images.thequint.com/thequint%2F2015-09%2Fc15bc5b4-aeee-45ca-a0c9-bcf53291d753%2FUntitled%20Infographic%20(12).png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720)
![To go bananas or not? Are the calories worth the bite? The Quint spoke to 3/3 nutritionists, who say, “Yes!”](https://images.thequint.com/thequint%2F2015-09%2F65d85478-c253-4856-b883-bd0a9cd901f1%2Fbanana%202.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720)
![To go bananas or not? Are the calories worth the bite? The Quint spoke to 3/3 nutritionists, who say, “Yes!”](https://images.thequint.com/thequint%2F2015-09%2F2173f74c-0b00-4b96-9ffa-86c823d4d837%2FScreen%20Shot%202015-09-23%20at%2012.14.46%20pm.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fmt=webp&width=720)
BRB, going for the lowest-calorie creamy banana smoothie!
Also read: 7 Reasons You Are Tired All the Time
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)