FIVE WAYS TO PREPARE BANANAS

HOW to get the most nutrients out of food

1. EAT them slightly under ripe to maximise the amount of resistant starch (as the banana ripens, this reduces, while sugar content increases). Resistant starch stimulates the growth of probiotic bacteria that promote gut health.

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

3. SERVE with raspberries — they’re a delicious pairing that complement each other nutritionally — bananas are higher in potassium and magnesium (for a healthy nervous system and blood pressure), while raspberries provide more immune-enhancing vitamin C and bone-friendly calcium.

4. MASH them and use in home-made cakes to cut calories. You can replace up to half of the fat with an equal volume of mashed banana in many recipes.

5. MAKE dried banana pieces for snacking — spread slices that you have dipped in lemon juice onto a piece of greased foil and dry in the oven at 75c for three hours, turning half way. Removing the water from the banana concentrates the levels of minerals.