5 WAYS TO PREPARE...BANANAS

HOW to make sure you get the most nutrients out of your food.

1. EAT them slightly under-ripe to maximise the levels of resistant starch (as the banana ripens, these drop, while sugar increases). Resistant starch stimulates growth of probiotic ‘good’ bacteria that promote gut health.

2. BLEND chopped frozen banana pieces in a sturdy blender to make delicious one-ingredient ice cream with no added sugar.

3. EAT with raspberries — they’re a delicious pairing that complement each other nutritionally. Bananas are a good source of potassium and magnesium (for a healthy nervous system and blood pressure), while raspberries provide more immune-enhancing vitamin C and bone-friendly calcium. 4. MAKE dried banana pieces for snacking — spread slices dipped in lemon juice on to greased foil and dry them out in the oven at 75 c for three hours, turning them half way through. Removing water concentrates the levels of minerals in the banana. 5. USE mashed banana to cut the calories in homemade cakes. You can replace up to half of the fat with an equal volume of mashed banana in many recipes.