Banana for Weight Loss

In many tropical countries, banana is not uncommon. They are one of the most significant crops because of the plant’s many uses. But did you know that aside from a good source of vitamins and minerals, bananas can also be a great food for weight loss?

The Morning Banana Diet

The morning banana diet was developed not so long ago by Hitoshi Watanabe of Osaka, Japan and popularized by means of the internet and several forms of media. Since then, the morning banana diet became a popular craze in Japan.

Unlike most meals plans, the morning banana diet is not as extreme and rigid. The rules of the diet are simple. You should always eat raw banana for breakfast. You are most allowed to eat as much as you like but not to the point of fullness. The only fluid allowed is plain water at room-temperature. There are no food limits for lunch and dinner except for dairy products, ice cream, and dessert. Sweets may be allowed but only until 3 pm, just to prevent a feeling of deprivation while on the diet. But strictly there should be no food intake after 8pm.

How It Works

There are several reasons behind how bananas will be able to help you gradually lose weight. While many believe that bananas can cause weight gain, nutritionists believe that bananas do otherwise.  In comparison with other fruits, bananas provide more energy. Admittedly, bananas may be high in calories that supply an individual a lot of energy. But bananas also contain resistant starch that block the conversion of some carbs into fuel, which makes our body use our stored fat instead.

Apart from this, bananas are also a good source of dietary fiber which will give you a sense of being full. Needless to say, if eaten prior to mealtime, you will almost certainly consume a lot lesser than you always do.

Review

While on a banana diet, a person is required to eat bananas before meals, particularly in the morning. This is the plus side of this diet–it stresses on the incorporation of fruits during meals which are an essential part of a balanced diet. Another thing is not eating past 8pm. This is a good rule to be followed by those who have bad eating habits such as eating a lot of snacks after dinner. But in reality, there is actually nothing wrong with eating past 8pm because what counts are the calories that you have consumed regardless of the time, and the calories you’ve burned with your activities.

The element of exercise as part of the weight loss intentions of the banana diet was somehow neglected. You may or may not exercise if you wish to, but not to the point of stressing oneself. However, many experts believe that exercise should always be integrated with each weight loss program. This is the important component that the morning banana diet has missed.