Banana
SELECT
Bananas are available fresh, frozen and dried for good nutrition and convenience. If selecting fresh, choose bananas without cuts. They should be firm, without bruises. If you would like your bananas to stick around a little longer, pick greener bananas. Bananas ripen after harvest, so the greener they are-the longer they have to ripen on the counter.
Varieties to Explore
Plantain
Red Banana
Nutrient Content Claims
Fat free, Saturated fat free, Cholesterol free, Sodium free, Good source of fiber, Good source of vitamin C, Good source of potassium
Health Claims
Dietary Fat & Cancer: Development of cancer depends on many factors. A diet low in total fat may reduce the risk of some cancers. Bananas are low in fat.
Sodium & Hypertension:
- Diets low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure, a disease associated with many factors. Bananas are sodium free.
- Diets low in sodium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Bananas are sodium free.
- Bananas, as part of a low sodium diet, may reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
Dietary Saturated Fat & Cholesterol & Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: While many factors affect heart disease, diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of this disease. Bananas contain no saturated fat or cholesterol.
Fiber-Containing Grain Products, Fruits, and Vegetables & Cancer: Low fat diets rich in fiber-containing grain products, fruits, and vegetables may reduce the risk of some of cancers, a disease associated with many factors. Bananas are a good source of fiber.
Fruits & Vegetables & Cancer: Low fat diets rich in fruits and vegetables (foods that are low in fat and may contain dietary fiber, Vitamin A, or Vitamin C) may reduce the risk of some types of cancer, a disease associated with many factors. Bananas are a good source of fiber and vitamin C.
Potassium & High Blood Pressure/Stroke (Authoritative Statement): Diets containing foods that are a good source of potassium and that are low in sodium, like bananas, may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
STORE
Store unripe bananas at room temperature. Store ripe bananas in refrigerator for up to two weeks; skin may turn black, but the inside is fine!
SERVE
Check out our banana recipes!
SAVOR
Presence in Ethnic Foods
Asian / Chinese, Japanese, Korean / South East Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos) / African / Cuban, Puerto Rican / Latino / Pacific Islands
SHARE
Social Media Posts
#TipOfTheDay: Pour less cereal to make room for MORE tasty fruits like bananas, peaches or berries! Calories down. Nutrition UP!
#TipoftheDay: Have a piece of whole wheat toast spread w/peanut butter & topped w/sliced banana. @fruitsandveggies #haveaplant
#TipoftheDay: Help kids make frozen fruit kabobs using pineapple chunks, bananas, grapes and kiwis. @fruitsandveggies #haveaplant
#ProTip when bananas start turning black, take the peel off, cut it in half and stick them in a freezer bag. Freeze! These are great to pull for smoothies at a later date – and you can even skip the ice! @fruitsandveggies #haveaplant
Grilling? Put a spin on the norm & add FVs to the mix! Here’s 9 tips for grilling FVs + a Grilled BANANA recipe: http://ow.ly/zkm8l @fruitsandveggies #haveaplant
Enjoying more fruits and vegetables, inclusive of fresh, frozen, canned, dried and 100% juice, is a delicious way to enjoy a happy, healthy and active lifestyle. @fruitsandveggies #haveaplant
