For MOMS & MOMS-TO-BE and Kids 2+*
It’s amazing that some of the sweetest and most versatile foods come straight from nature – not from a factory. Bananas definitely fit into this category. As one of the most functional forms of produce – being used as a fat substitute, an egg replacement, a sugar replacement, and even a substitute for ice cream, to name a few – bananas are a simple and healthier way to enjoy many of our favorite foods.
One of my latest and favorite discoveries using bananas – Barnanas. These organic, and chewy banana bites are not only conveniently packaged, they are a great way to curb your sweet tooth while also doing something good for your body.
THE PRODUCT: Originally born from an accidental experiment involving a giant, broken-out skylight in Brazil, the Suplicy family started dehydrating bananas and realized that they not only tasted deliciously sweet, but could last for months. Almost 30 years later, Caue Suplicy, a former professional triathlete, decided to take his family tradition to the masses and from that, Barnana was created.
Starting in Serra Do Mar Brazil to find the best organic bananas, Barnanas journey continued throughout South America until they found farmers who shared their belief of sustainable, organic whole foods. Equipped with the family secret, Barnanas is now headquartered in La Jolla, California, where they are trying to change the way the world snacks, one banana at a time.
With four amazingly delicious flavors to choose from, including Original, Coconut, Chocolate, and Peanut Butter, even those who aren’t the biggest fan of bananas are sure to love these snacks!
NUTRITION-WISE: Barnana only uses whole, Organic ingredients, all of which are non-GMO. Free of chemicals and preservatives, these snacks are also free of wheat, oats and gluten, and don’t contain any added sugars or cholesterol.
With the bananas in these snacks all being dehydrated under 40 °C (104 °F), this technique allows the nutrition density and natural enzymes to remain intact; a critical step in building proteins and rebuilding the body. Furthermore, raw bananas harness beneficial mico-organisms that aid in digestion, which is another major plus of these snacks.
Coined as the Super Potassium Snack, Barnana bites are [obviously] chalk-full of potassium, helping you maintain energy in your muscles and activity in your nerves, all while aiding in healthy digestion. Moreover, diets containing foods that are a good source of potassium and that are low in sodium may also reduce your risk of high blood pressure.
Barnanas are also full of fiber. This is another important element in a heart healthy diet and may reduce the risk of heart disease, lower cholesterol, maintain blood sugar levels, and aid in digestive health.
Coming in at around 140 calories, 5 of which are from fat [for the Original flavor], you will also find 4 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein per serving. Barnanas do contain around 17 grams of sugar though. On the flip side, this is due to the banana’s natural sugars and not because of extra add-ins, helping to keep Barnanas in the low-glycemic range.
*Bananas are generally one of the first foods that kids eat and are a great snack for people of all ages. However, due to the chewy texture of Barnanas, it’s best to hold off on sharing these with young kids who don’t have their molars in yet. Plus, there is quite a bit of sugar [even though it’s all-natural], so I would avoid giving my toddler too many of these in one sitting. With that said, these are a great healthy and convenient snack, and I don’t feel bad about my toddler having a small handful every now and again.
WHERE TO BUY: Barnana snacks can conveniently be purchased directly through their Online Store, or to find the retail location nearest you, please visit their Store Locator.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Having never been one to snack on bananas, I truly didn’t think that I was going to really enjoy these products. Boy was I wrong.
From the chewy texture to the sweet taste, these snacks are great before a workout, for a mid-day slump, or even a quick treat before bed. Available in 4 great flavors – Coconut being my favorite – I never thought I’d be such a big fan of a banana-based snack.
Try Barnanas today and see for yourself how addicting these banana snacks can be.
To learn more about Barnana and to try them out for yourself, please visit their website and check them out on Facebook.
And remember, Contact Healthy.Fit.Fab…Moms today to create a personalized plan so you and your family can live a healthy, fit, and fabulous life!
