Is Banana Good For Weight Gain?
Let’s put one of the most common mysteries to rest today: Is banana good for weight gain? or weight loss? The confusion is unsettling!
While some people recommend bananas for weight gain, others think it is the perfect food to lose weight. People in the latter group cite resistant starch and fiber in bananas as the most weight-loss-friendly ingredients, which is indeed true!
So, what is it?? Should you eat bananas for weight gain or will it cause you to lose weight instead?
Bananas are indeed useful for both weight loss and weight gain. You just need to know how to use them in your diet to achieve your desired results!
So, let’s find out how bananas can be eaten and the best time to eat a banana for weight gain!
Eating Bananas for Weight Gain
What makes bananas a great fruit for weight gain is the amount of calories they store. While many fruits are low in calories like berries, bananas have a high-calorie content. Weight gain is about retaining more calories than burning them. This makes bananas a great option to add extra calories to your diet. So it means “is banana good for weight gain?” Absolutely, yes.
Bananas contain other essential nutrients like fiber, potassium, minerals, etc. as well. In an average-sized banana, you get a healthy punch of the following nutrients and minerals:
- Proteins
- Fat
- Carbs
- Fiber
- Calories
- Manganese
- Vitamin B6
However, their calorie content is the key to weight gain!
So, how can you measure and take note of the calorie content of the bananas you eat?
You’ll notice that bananas come in various sizes from small ones to giant ones! Depending on the size, the calorie count in bananas can range from 90 to as much as 135 calories per banana!
Here is an estimate of the calorie count you can expect in the bananas. This can help you keep track of your body’s calorie intake through bananas.
Banana Size | Inches Estimate | Calories |
Small | 6 inches | 90 |
Medium-sized | 7 inches | 105 |
Large | 8 inches | 121 |
Very large | 9 inches | 135 |
Typically, the bananas we tend to eat are medium-sized. So on average, you can keep a rough estimate of consuming 105 calories from each banana you eat.
Given the abundant calorie content of bananas, the answer to Can I eat a banana daily for weight gain is yes! Consuming bananas frequently and in large quantities will give your body more calories than it burns. This calorie surplus is likely to cause weight gain.
Here’s a table detailing the nutrient count of a medium-sized banana (about 118 grams):
Nutrient | Amount per Medium Banana | % Daily Value (DV) |
---|---|---|
Calories | 105 kcal | – |
Carbohydrates | 27 g | 9% |
Dietary Fiber | 3.1 g | 11% |
Sugars | 14.4 g | – |
Protein | 1.3 g | 3% |
Fat | 0.4 g | <1% |
Potassium | 422 mg | 12% |
Vitamin C | 10.3 mg | 11% |
Vitamin B6 | 0.4 mg | 20% |
Magnesium | 31.9 mg | 8% |
Manganese | 0.3 mg | 14% |
How to Use Bananas for Weight Gain?
You need to be strategic about using bananas for weight gain. It is neither healthy nor practical to eat bananas alone to add extra pounds to the body. Although the answer to the question “Is banana good for weight gain?” is yes but how many bananas can you even force inside you anyway, right?
The smart thing to do here is to pair bananas with other high-calorie foods to increase your overall calorie intake while keeping it fun!
Is banana good for weight gain and can you add it to your cereals? YES, You can always enjoy bananas as a snack whenever you feel like it. However, other high-calorie foods that you may enjoy pairing bananas with and that could increase weight gain include:
- Cream
- Whole Yogurt
- Peanut Butter
- Almond Butter
- Ice Cream
- Nuts
- Dried Fruits
You need to be creative about your meals to ensure that you’re incorporating bananas strategically in all your meals from breakfast to dinner.
Should I add bananas to my cereal or oatmeal? Yes! Should I have a peanut butter banana sandwich for lunch or snack? Yes! Is banana shake good for weight gain? Yes!
The goal is to ensure you get as much of this fruit in your meals to increase their calorie content. You may also consult a top nutritionist for better advice.