A common question when it comes to health and fitness nutrition is “Are Bananas Fattening?“
Now this very question opens up a whole new world of diet myths!
Things like “does fruit make you fat?” and “can you eat too much fruit?”
You can answer those questions in a number of ways… however if you are willing to break it down to a very basic level, it is all about consumption and how much fruit you eat. We talk often about calories and that the true secret to losing weight is by having a daily calorie deficit – burning off more calories in a day than you consume!
Yes, you are correct that fruit has sugar however naturally occurring fructose is certainly a far better option than refined, commercially manufactured white sugar in a bag! 
Also, we talk about not having that orange, peach or even watermelon but we forget that a normal portion for these fruits is less than 65 calories! Meanwhile we might scoff something else down that has double the calories, triple the calories or even more!
So, are bananas fattening?
Well if you eat too many of anything, you will gain weight however at around 100 calories per banana, you would have to consume a heck of a lot of them to do some damage to your waist line. Also, they pack so many vitamins and minerals and give you amazing energy which helps you to be even more active! Is it really fair to blame the humble banana for your weight?! You have to be really careful of nutrition myths questions like are bananas fattening and the fruit myth is one of the biggest!
Nutrition Myth #1 – Fruit Makes You Fat
This. Is. Ridiculous.
No one, and I repeat, NO ONE is fat because they eat too much fruit.
Let’s clear things up. Yes, fruit contains sugar. But fruit also contains fiber and water and fills you up for just a few calories.
Check out this calorie chart of our favorite fruits:
* 1 cup of cherries = 75 calories
* 1 medium apple = 75 calories
* 1 medium banana = 100 calories
* 1 cup blueberries = 80 calories
* 1 date = 25 calories
* 1 grapefruit = 80-100 calories
* 1 orange = 60 calories
* 1 peach = 40 calories
* 1 cup pineapple = 65 calories
* 1 cup strawberries = 45 calories
* 1 cup watermelon = 50 calories
So seriously, let’s just say you ate that entire list (which would be a pretty mean feat in one session!)…you’re still only at about 750 calories. Meanwhile a Burger, Fries and Soda will give you a minimum of 1000 calories and to be honest, the figure is probably closer to 2500 calories and these are the wrong sort of calories too!
Compare that first 750 calories of fruit to these common foods – the ones that really make us fat.
* Grande Iced Caffe Mocha = 200 calories
* Grande Caramel Frappuccino = 430 calories
* Starbucks Low Fat Blueberry Muffin = 430 calories (only 1g fiber!)
* Plain Bagel = 300 calories (2g fiber – whoop-de-doo!)
Is the question are bananas fattening even relevant in this light?
You see my point? And we’re worrying about “fruit making us fat”?
Gimmee a break.
Whooooaaa, don’t eat that 75 calorie apple, you might get fat!
(Note: Sarcasm)
Heck, there are days this summer when I’ve had:
* 1/2 a watermelon
* 2 apples
* 1/2 cup blueberries
* 1/2 cup strawberries
* 2 peaches
* 5 dates
* 2 bananas
* 1 pear
So the myth that fruit makes you fat is a joke. Are bananas fattening? No! The truth is that fruit is healthy for you, fills you up and helps you LOSE fat.
When you are trying to get fit and lose weight, eating well and nutritionally smart is easy when you know how. Make your food and drink choices easier by clicking the image below to take a look at the Turbulence Training Simple Nutrition System!
Enjoy – Cameron
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