Bananas

[LoftyLottie]

I have always hated them. Horrible nasty things.

However, I have just found that those dried banana slices in fruit and nut packs are bearable because they don't taste of bananas and are crispy rather than slimy and soggy. Yuk.

So a question for any of you who are experts in food and nutrition:

I have IBS and have been told on many occasions that I should eat bananas because of the potassium content which is good for IBS sufferers to replenish their supplies. Can anyone tell me whether dried banana has lost any of its nutritional value. I know they are sugary and fattening, but dried banana might be my answer.

Thanks

[daffy654]

The drying process actually removes a huge portion of any nutrients from the banana(and any other fruit),I would imagine you'd be better off taking a potassium supplement if you can't stomach the bananas in their natural form.

[LoftyLottie]

Thanks Daffy. I thought that might be the case. I wish I liked them but just the thought of them makes me feel horrible. Potassium supplement it is then.

I must admit I didn't actually like the dried ones and wouldn't choose to eat them, but they were bearable.

[pastafreak]

According to this article...and several others I found, when googling 'dried bananas-potassium'...dried actually do have MORE potassium. But if you do not like them, there are certainly other food sources besides than bananas.

http://users.bestweb....ananas_Potassium.html

[heathfield]

Those packs of dried bananas are like eating crunchy cardboard. Instead, try slicing plantain to make deep-fried plantain crisps. They taste very much the same as potato crisps, they're high in potassium, and the deep-frying won't significantly reduce the potassium content. Eat them within a couple of hours while they're still fresh. Taste the difference!

[LoftyLottie]

Thanks Pasta for that . I might just continue to eat them dried. (even if they do taste like crunchy cardboard - I can't disagree with heathfield on that!!). I will look for other potassium rich foods. Unfortunately, I eat very little meat so won't get enough from beef.

I will search for plantains Heathfield. Because of their banana resemblance I haven't dared try them.

Thanks to all of you for your help.

I just wish I liked straightforward plain bananas!!!

[ummmm]

With fruit.... fresh, tinned, frozen and dried are all included in your 5 a day. Unlike veg.

[AndThenSome]

I thought ALL women's favourite fruit was a banana....

[LoftyLottie]

I think I far exceed my five a day ummmm with fruit and veg!! I would find it difficult to just eat 5. I could pig out on dried fruit and nuts and have to hide it away. Mr LL stuffs himself with it otherwise. Trouble is with dried fruit it is full of sugar - but lovely anyway.

[LoftyLottie]

However, what you say proves that dried fruit is just as good for you nutritionally as fresh fruit.

[heathfield]

If you haven't used plantains before, Lottie, there's a special way to peel them. The skins don't peel off easily like bananas. Have a look here...

http://latinfood.abou...s/ss/peelplantain.htm

[LoftyLottie]

Heathfield, have they got the same texture as bananas. I can't bear that texture.

[heathfield]

They're a lot firmer - like a green banana is, and not mushy. They have to be cooked. See Google for recipes, or try the crisps.

[AndThenSome]

I love fried Plantains! And the Chilli crisps are heaven!

[jamesnan]

I was always under the impression that the banana slices were fried to make them dried and crispy - at least that is what I read in a magazine.
I personally can't stand cooked banana but make my family Banana cake, which gives you the banana in another form, that may be useful for you.