Take a deep breath, because this one might sting a little: this is a case against bananas.Yes, I said it. How dare I, right?
Let me tell you a story. About six years ago, I was a full-blown banana addict. I’d easily munch through four or five in one sitting. My ex-husband eventually stopped buying them because, as he put it, he couldn’t keep up with my banana obsession. Looking back, I don’t blame him, I probably put him off bananas for life.
It’s easy to see why I was hooked. Bananas are bright, creamy, and give you a little hug of natural sweetness. They’re also ridiculously convenient, just peel and go. You’ve probably seen tennis legend Novak Djokovic snacking on one mid-match at Wimbledon. So, if they’re good enough for an elite athlete, they must be good for us too, right?
Well… not quite. Yes, bananas are known for being rich in potassium, which helps prevent muscle cramps. And sure, they provide a quick burst of energy, that’s why athletes love them. But it’s that quick burst of energy that’s the problem. Bananas cause a sharp spike in glucose levels, which leads to a rapid insulin response, followed by the dreaded crash.
And you know what comes with that crash? Inflammation, weight gain, energy dips, and sugar cravings. It’s a hormonal rollercoaster most of us ride without even knowing it and bananas are sitting right in the front seat.
“But fruit is natural,” you might say. “Humans have always eaten it.” Not quite, love.
The fruit we eat today is not the fruit our ancestors ate. Bananas used to be small, stubby, and full of seeds. Not exactly Instagram-worthy. And they were much lower in sugar. Fast forward to now: we’ve bred them to be big, seedless, super sweet, and visually perfect, but also carb-loaded. One banana clocks in at about 25 grams of carbs. That’s nearly your entire daily allowance if you’re following a strict keto diet. Even if you’re not doing keto, that’s still a hefty sugar hit.
So what are the alternatives?
Berries. They’re low in sugar, high in antioxidants, and they don’t give you that awful sugar crash. But if you still want to enjoy a banana, timing matters. Have it at the end of a meal, after your veggies, protein, and healthy fats. Never as a standalone snack. Fruit on an empty stomach spikes your blood sugar fast, and the satiety is terrible, you’ll be hungry again in 20 minutes, rummaging through the cupboards like a raccoon.
And if it’s potassium you’re after? Go for avocados. They actually have more potassium than bananas, plus healthy fats, no sugar, and zero crash. They’re basically the butter of the keto world.
So, are bananas evil? Absolutely not. But if your goal is to reduce inflammation, lose weight, control blood sugar, stay in ketosis, or manage fatty liver bananas are not your bestie right now. Sorry, Novak.
If this little food myth busting session got you thinking or even if it got you mad at me for dragging your favourite fruit, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Thanks for reading, my lovelies.
-- Written by Hala Ali, founder of Dietapplements
