Most of us are conversant with eating banana flesh but not the roadblock we encounter before reaching them— the peels.
Meanwhile, banana peels are perfectly edible and pack a punch when it comes to nutrition. They contain many beneficial compounds like minerals and vitamins which bring in extra nutrients when paired with the flesh in smoothies or puddings, or when used as the star ingredient in carnita or meatballs.
Banana peels contain dietary fibers which promote the feeling of satiation, potassium which prevents loss of bone mass and essential amino acids which host a wide variety of health benefits.
Below we take a proper look at the benefits of eating banana peels, the downsides of eating them, how much you should consume daily, how to eat them, and finally how to purpose them for other things in the house.
Benefits of Eating Banana Peels
Banana peels make up nearly 40% of the banana fruit, and in proportion, they contain a good amount of minerals and vitamins.
Pairing them up with the flesh is a good way to ensure you’re maximaxing the nutrients you’re getting from the banana fruit.
Banana peels are rich in the following nutrients:
- Potassium
- Phosporus
- Calcium
- Essential Amino Acids
- Antioxidants
- Dietary Fibers
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B12
- Magnesium
- Protein
- Phenols
- Carotenoids.
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids
It’s difficult to enumerate all the benefits of the above mentioned compounds, but it’s scientifically established that these nutrients play a crucial role in developing the body as well as maintaining and protecting it from diseases.
Take for instance potassium, even though the exact proportions present in the skin is not convincingly established by any scientific study, there are numerous studies that have highlighted the marvelous benefits it does to the body.
Potassium helps to regulate fluid balance, blood pressure as well as reduce the risk of diseases like kidney stones.
The fibers in banana peels also help with constipation and improve general health and wellbeing.
Banana peels also contain the antioxidant compound “polyphenols” which plays a crucial role in preventing cardiovascular diseases as well as cancer.
The list is endless, and the bottomline is that banana peels pack a punch when it comes to nutrition, just like the flesh they protect.
The Downsides Of Eating Banana Peels
Eating banana peels isn’t without its own downsides. Besides, no one needs to tell you that eating banana peels isn’t the most exciting exercise to ever engage in. It can be just as arduous as eating raw green banana.
They are tough, especially when green and can impart a funny feeling to the tongue at this exact stage we’re talking about.
Banana peels may have a slightly strange to “okay” taste depending on the stage of ripeness one is working with, some like to describe the “okay” taste as “tasteless”.
Banana peels can also be poisonous (with continued consumption) if not grown organically, or using processes that steer clear from harmful pesticides and preservatives as well as aesthetic chemicals.
While not established, the possibility of banana peels triggering allergic reactions in certain individuals may also exist, especially at the green stage.
The awkward taste of banana peels can be suppressed by cooking them, seasoning, and serving with ingredients or foods that serve to overpower their numb and funky taste.
How Much Banana Peels Should You Consume Per Day?
Since banana skins are perfectly safe to consume, it’s safe to conclude that you can eat banana peels (as baked or cooked produce and not raw) in as much quantity as you can eat the banana fruit per day: which quantifies to about one to two banana peels per day.
How To Eat Banana Peels
Banana peels aren’t a popular dish option, but many cultures across the globe have incorporated them into their diet in the most fascinating ways.
Let’s look at some of the ways banana peels are commonly consumed where they are consumed.
Before that, the foremost ritual when dealing with banana peels is to wash them as thoroughly as possible to minimize the risk of building sickness from pesticide poisoning over the long run. Opting for organic bananas is a huge bonus.
- Fry them: Drizzle some olive oil over a heated skillet and gently lay down the marinated peels on the skillet. Cook until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel and serve with tofu scramble or in a sandwich. Some say that fried banana peels taste like bacon! If that’s true, then bravo to the inventor of this wonderful recipe.
- Bake them (banana bacon): Use very bananas for the best flavor. (banana bacon): Use very bananas for the best flavor. Marinate them in your favorite marinade and then cook in a preheated oven at 380F until fully cooked. (3 to 5 minutes).
- Add them to smoothies: Incorporate banana skins into smoothies by blending them with the rest of the ingredients.: Incorporate banana skins into smoothies by blending them with the rest of the ingredients.
- Add them to your banana recipes like muffins and bread.
- Use them as toppings: shred bananas very carefully and add them as toppings to your favorite dish or dessert: shred bananas very carefully and add them as toppings to your favorite dish or dessert.
- Make meatballs: Scoop as much flesh as you can from the banana skin (add that to your smoothie), and shred the banana peels. Next, add the shreds as a substitute for meat in your meatball recipe.
- Make carnitas: Scoop as much meat as possible from the inside. Use a fork to shred the peels into long ribbons. Add these to the skillet as a replacement for meat and cook until soft. Enjoy!
What Other Things Can You Do With Banana Peels Aside From Eating Them?
Consuming banana peels doesn’t only do good to the body, it also helps the environment by reducing the amount of organic waste that ends up in the landfills.
This reduction reduces the amount of harmful gas released into the atmosphere there by promoting healing of our mother earth!
When you’re the type that wants our planet to heal but cannot stomach the thoughts of eating banana peels, you can always purpose them into something useful around the house instead.
Here are some of the ways you can use banana peels aside eating from them.
- Keep articles like meat or salmon baking moist by placing banana peels on them as they fry on a skillet or bake in the oven.
- Make banana vinegar to use in salads and veggie preparations.
- Use it as fertilizer. Add peels to a pitcher containing water and let sit for 3 days. Use the water as a surprise boost of nutrients for your favorite plants whilst they bask in the shade of the sun.
- Use the peels of recently peeled bananas (the semi-ripe ones) to shine plant leaves and your favorite leather or suede shoes. You can also moisturize the sole of your feet with it.
Final Thoughts
Banana peels are not a common diet across the globe, but nevertheless, they’re a safe and beneficial addition to anyone’s diet.
Banana peels are edible and pack a punch in nutrition. They contain potassium which helps maintain bone mass, calcium which helps to build bones, essential amino acids which provides energy and regulates digestion and vitamins and other nutrients that are super beneficial for the human body.
When next you’re eating the flesh of bananas, make sure to purpose their peels into baking and cooking. They’re delicious!
