Introduction
The Emergence of Freeze-Dried Fruits
Technological development that has resulted in the health-conscious society, should it be attributed to the expeditious food industry, is inanely creating foodswings, among other things like fruits.
Banana Slices: A Nutrient-Dense Food
If I say the words ‘nutrient-dense’, what do you think of? Kale? Chia seeds? Blueberries? How about bananas – more specifically, freeze-dried slices?
Understanding Nutrient-Dense Foods
What Makes a Food Nutrient-Dense?
In short, nutrient-rich foods are nutrient-packed but calorie-light, packed with vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, lean protein and healthy fat.
Importance of Nutrient-Dense Foods
Adding nutrient-dense foods to your regimen is an important step towards good health and overall well being; they keep you well-nourished, prevent excessive weight gain and help safeguard against chronic diseases.
The Process of Freeze Drying
How Freeze Drying Works
Freeze-drying provides a more stable food type by removing water from food while still keeping its nutrient value: water is drained out of food by freezing it and then placing it in a vacuum.
Why Freeze-Dried Foods Are Healthy
Much of the food’s nutritional value remains intact because the freeze-drying process doesn’t kill most of the food’s micronutrients. It just quits most of them where they stand. It retains much of the vitamin, mineral and antioxidant content of whatever is preserved. Health-food nuts eat this stuff.
The Benefits of Freeze-Dried Banana Slices
The Nutrient Profile of Bananas
A banana typically contains around 450 mg of potassium, almost 25 per cent of the recommended daily value and about double the amount of the next-most-potassium-rich food, namely, Swiss chard. Bananas are also a good source of vitamin C (about 10 per cent of the daily recommended value), vitamin B6 (about five per cent of the daily recommended value) and dietary fibre (around 14 per cent of the daily recommended value for women and 12 per cent for men), plus a variety of less-known-but-no-less-important phytonutrients such as dopamine and vitamin C and other types of antioxidants.
How Freeze-Drying Maintains Nutrient Density
And the great thing about freeze-dried bananas is that they retain pretty much all of these nutrients, which means you can eat all the rainbow along with your ‘banana bread’: no soggy digestion or spoon required.
Practical Uses and Applications
You can eat banana slices straight from the package, but they taste even better with a bit of nonfat yogurt or some wholegrain cereal with reduced-fat milk. Better yet, add them to your bowl of oatmeal with raisins and prunes for breakfast. Or try them mixed into your morning smoothies, such as a delicious combination involving Greek-style yogurt, Turkish chilli powder, fresh mint leaves, a frozen banana and a slice of pineapple. Finally, sprinkle them into ½ cup of reduced-fat granola over a bowl of nonfat Greek yogurt.
Including Freeze-Dried Banana Slices in Your Diet
Healthy Snack Ideas
Freeze-dried banana slices are an excellent solution for busy individuals. Pack a few in your kid’s lunchbox, take some with you to the gym, or keep a pack at your desk– their convenience means you’ll always have an easy, healthy snack option available.
Recipes Incorporating Freeze-Dried Bananas
You can add these freeze-dried banana slices to all sorts of dishes: oatmeal and granola, muffins and breads, or cobblers and crisps. They add crunch but also natural sweetness to any recipe.
Conclusion
To enjoy a nutrient-dense, convenient and delicious ready-to-eat snack and to meet your macro and micronutrient needs, what could be more ideal than freeze-dried banana slices? Let’s rethink our snack time and eat more healthier options like freeze-dried banana slices.
