Thursday, March 28, 2013

Facts On The Amount Of Calories In Bananas

By Arold Augustin


Banana fruits are widely consumed in the world. They are among the most popular and best selling. They are of great value to the body because they contain essential nutrients. Calories in a banana are obtained from sugar and starch. One fruit of this type contains 3 grams of healthy fiber. It also contains about 10% of the potassium, manganese, vitamin C and vitamin B6 that are required by the body daily.

Bananas have less water in them compared to juicy fruits like grapes and oranges. If you take one ounce, the juicier fruits should have less calories compared to the bananas. The average fruit of this kind has 105 calories while an apple has 95. An orange has 65 and most adults require at least 1600 in one day. The difference in the amount of energy that different fruits produce in the body is minimal. However, it is advisable to take a variety of fruits in order to get many nutrients.

The nutrients in bananas are beneficial to the body in many different ways. They provide energy, which the body needs for basic metabolism and physical movement. The body uses carbohydrates, proteins and fats for energy. In the case of a banana, carbohydrates are responsible for providing most of the energy. In fact, carbohydrates provide over 95% of the energy one gets from eating a banana. Carbohydrates include sugars, starches and fiber.

4% of the energy is produced by proteins and fats which are found in trace amounts. An ordinary banana has 14 grams of sugar, 6 grams of sugar and 3 grams of fiber. There are various kinds of bananas. The long yellow type is most common. It is found in many shelves in supermarkets. However, other types such as the red, baby and plantain kinds are also available.

As compared to banana varieties that are eaten raw, plantains provide more energy. On the average, the amount of energy provided by bananas consumed raw is approximately equal. However, the ratio of sugars to starch can be different. Of course, larger bananas provide more energy. In order to obtain the exact calories in a banana, it is necessary to follow a recipe that denotes the banana's size.

USDA has a National Nutrient database that shows that for a 90 calorie fruit of this kind the length should be between 6 and 7 inches. Its weight should be around 3.5 ounces. A banana that has 105 should be between 7 and 8 inches in length and the weight should revolve around 4 ounces. A 121 calorie fruit should be between 8 and 9 inches in length and it should weigh about 4.75 ounces.

Bananas are used to come up with flavors for various recipes as well as different packaged foods. Snack bars, bread, cereals as well as muffins are good examples of foods that utilize the banana flavor. Processed products however have added sugars, fats and other ingredients. Most of them contain empty calories.

The calories in a banana are beneficial to the body because they help to achieve healthy growth. Experts recommend this fruit because it has Vitamins B6 and C, potassium and manganese. It contains low amounts of sodium, saturated fats and cholesterol. To get other nutrients not present in bananas you can consume other fruits as well.



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