Bananas are generally healthy as they contain vitamins and bioactive compounds, but eating them in the morning can be dangerous.
Here’s why you should never eat only bananas in the morning
Bananas are generally not recommended for consumption on an empty stomach, which is usually how our stomachs are in the morning. This is due to their high sugar content.
Blood sugar spike
Dietitian Lauren Manaker warns that the high sugar content can cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels, leading to a crash in blood sugar levels. This can cause tiredness, mood issues, and even unease or anxiety.
Manaker states that yellow bananas may be worse on an empty stomach than green, unripe ones due to their higher resistant starch and dietary fibre content. As bananas ripen, their fibre content decreases, leading to a simpler sugar content which can spike blood sugar and potentially cause a sugar crash or mild fatigue.
Affects the heart
The American Heart Association warns that patients should monitor potassium consumption closely, as potassium-rich foods like bananas can interfere with high blood pressure and heart failure medications.
How to eat bananas in the morning
If you have to eat bananas in the morning, they shouldn’t be eaten alone.
Bananas can be paired with other protein-rich foods to round out your meal, support blood sugar regulation, improve satiety, and reduce hunger between meals.
Some healthy breakfast ideas that include bananas include frozen banana bites with yoghurt and nut butter, Greek yoghurt with bananas and chia seeds, a protein smoothie with spinach and berries, and frozen banana or oatmeal topped with nuts, seeds, and sliced bananas.
