National Banana Day

bananas

 


Bananas are high in many vitamins and minerals, including potassium, vitamin B6, fiber, magnesium, and vitamin C. This fruit is an excellent source of potassium which is a mineral and electrolyte that helps to maintain a healthy balance of water and offset the effects of excess salt intake. Bananas are also easy to digest and can improve your overall digestive health.

How to Store Your Bananas

  • Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight.
  • Do not refrigerate green bananas as this can disrupt normal ripening.
  • To speed up ripening, store in a brown paper bag or place bananas near ripe fruit. On the other hand, if you want to slow ripening, store bananas away from other ripe fruits. 
  • Do not store in plastic bags as this traps excess moisture and promotes rotting.
  • If a banana has ripened to a brown color, remove the peel and chop or mash the fruit to include in baked goods or freeze to be added into smoothies. 

How to Add Bananas to Your Diet

  • Add a sliced banana to a fruit salad.
  • Swap an equal amount of mashed banana for butter in baked goods like muffins, quick breads, or cookies. 
  • For a frozen treat, slice a peeled banana in half and turn the fruit into a popsicle. Dip the banana into yogurt and sprinkle with nuts, chopped dried fruit, or other toppings. Freeze for a few hours.
  • Add a banana or frozen banana into your smoothie. 

Written by: Lauren Hinze, EFNEP Student Intern

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/bananas/


© 2024 North Carolina Cooperative Extension
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

North Carolina State University
Agricultural and Human Sciences Department

Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES)

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