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Banana milk has been a trend for the past few years and it doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon. It’s an interesting drink that many people enjoy, but how much do you know about banana milk?
In this blog post, we will touch on what banana milk is, how to make it, the potential benefits of drinking it, why people should drink it in general, and who might benefit from drinking it specifically.
We will also answer some frequently asked questions about this trendy beverage!
DISCLAIMER: The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
What is Banana Milk?
Banana milk is a dairy-free alternative to the nut or dairy kinds of milk and other common types of milk. Its primary taste is bananas, so if you love the taste of banana smoothies then this might be for you!
Banana milk can also go well with breakfast cereal or oatmeal, used in your favorite smoothie recipe, stirred into coffee – it’s versatile and easy enough that anyone who wants to make their own at home has plenty of recipes available online too.
The best part? You don’t need any special equipment: just blend some watery ripe bananas until they are as creamy as possible before adding them back into more water (and maybe sweetener).
Did you know that banana milk is often more expensive than cow’s milk? Not only are they comparable to other dairy-free milk, but the price can also vary depending on the brand. Ready-made versions may have a different nutritional profile and taste from homemade varieties.
Almond Breeze sells an almond and banana blend that contains nuts; this might be something worth considering if you want some variety in your diet!
Generally, Banana milk is a refreshing, allergy-friendly alternative to dairy that’s easy and fun to make at home.
Nutritional Facts About Banana Milk
Banana milk is a nutritious and sustainable drink that contains potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, and B vitamins.
It also has more fiber than traditional dairy milk which can help with weight management.
The glycemic index of banana milk ranges from 35 – 55, depending on how ripe the bananas are when they’re mashed to make the milk.
Some people drink it as a meal replacement or to supplement their diet with vitamins and minerals while others believe that drinking this beverage may help them feel full, giving them fewer cravings for unhealthy foods.
Additionally, the nutritional content of banana milk can vary depending on the recipe used. When compared, two store-bought brands and homemade banana milk showed to have different nutritional content in them.
This is because the homemade banana milk is made using 1 medium banana and a cup of water (237mL). On the other hand, store-bought brands are usually made using 1 cup (237mL) for each of the ingredients.
Also, this milk contains more calories, carbs, sugars, and fiber than many other types of milk. However, this plant-based smoothie contains the fewest grams in fat content as opposed to store-bought brands.
Lastly, some people may not like how sweet the drink is or how it contains banana chunks which they can’t tolerate due to texture issues.
5 Health Benefits Associated with Drinking Banana Milk
There are several benefits associated with drinking banana milk – some are common, while others haven’t been heard of.
- Bananas have a medium GI value (~45), so they don’t spike blood sugar levels as most sugary foods do.
This makes them an excellent alternative for those who suffer from diabetes or hypoglycemia; these conditions increase how quickly your body breaks down glucose into sugar, which can lead to blood sugar imbalance.
- Banana milk also has a high potassium content, an important mineral that helps regulate how your heart beats and how fluids balance in your body.
Potassium also plays an important role in regulating how well you digest food; some people find relief from diarrhea or constipation by taking supplements with extra potassium while others gain relief from cramps when they drink banana milk.
- Banana milk is hypoallergenic.
This makes it much safer for those with severe nut allergies as opposed to almond milk (which contains almonds).
- Drinking banana milk of one ripe banana per day has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, strokes, and high blood pressure.
To keep these lifestyle diseases far from you, then you should consider banana milk.
- This milk is also rich in minerals such as selenium which helps to eliminate toxins from the body.
Selenium has been linked to improved mood and increased energy levels
Adding a teaspoon of turmeric to your banana milkshake will not only give it an interesting color but will boost its anti-inflammatory properties, making it beneficial for joint pain and arthritis relief
The potassium content found in bananas can help regulate how well we digest our food. Some people find that they have diarrhea or constipation while others get cramps when drinking regular milk; by replacing dairy with banana milk these symptoms are alleviated because there’s no lactose intolerance present!
To summarize this section, Bananas are delicious and nutritious fruits. They’re packed with potassium, magnesium, fiber that promotes healthy digestion as well as inflammation-fighting antioxidants – all great for heart health!
With the addition of water or plant milk like almond or soy to bananas, you can create a banana shake in minutes. It’s not only allergy-friendly but also vegan and refreshing too!
Why Should You Drink Banana Milk?
- Banana milk can be a very healthy alternative to dairy for those with lactose intolerance and allergies, it’s not too sweet so diabetic or hypoglycemic people don’t need to worry as much about how their blood sugar will react.
- It’s also vegan which is great for vegans who are looking for alternatives without animal products!
- It can be a delicious and creamy drink that’s perfect for breakfast or as an afternoon snack.
- Banana milk is also very versatile, you can use it in baked goods like muffins, ice cream, pancakes, waffles & banana bread!
Some Downsides to Banana Milk
- One of the downsides to banana milk is that it doesn’t have a long shelf life. It won’t last as much or stay fresh as long in the fridge as dairy products will, and therefore can be more expensive.
- For people on restrictive diets like paleo, veganism, ketogenic diet & Whole30, those restrictions don’t allow for any type of milk at all! So this wouldn’t work if you were going for one of these types of diets
- If you’re allergic to bananas, this is not the drink for you.
- It’s a little more expensive than almond milk but it might be worth it if banana milk is what your body needs.
How to Make Banana Milk at Home – A Step-By-Step Guide
To make a cup of banana milk at home, you only need a few ingredients.
Ingredients Needed
- One cup of water (237mL) and
- A banana
The Steps Involved
You’ll then peel the banana, slice it up and blend it with the water for about one minute to come up with a smooth mixture.
If you want a cold banana smoothie, try using a frozen banana. Alternatively, you can add half a cup of ice to the mixture to make it cold and refreshing. The next step is usually optional – and it involves adding more flavor to the milk.
You can do this by adding a teaspoon of maple syrup, a dash of sea salt, and a quarter (1/4) teaspoon of ground cinnamon. If this doesn’t cut it for you, adjust the contents of each sweetener used to achieve your desired taste.
Banana milk can be taken as a beverage, added to coffee or smoothies, and you can as well use it in oatmeal or cereal. With homemade banana milk, it’s advisable to drink it right away since it can lose its color and separate quickly.
Ready-made banana milk can be found in most stores these days, but they usually come with additives that some people may want to avoid.
For example, gums are often used as a stabilizer for the milk and to prevent it from spoiling quickly; however, many brands use natural ingredients like Gellan gum which is considered safe.
When purchasing ready-made banana milk at your grocery store, online or local supermarket, review the ingredient list before buying.
This is because there might be added sugars or unnecessary additives present such as artificial flavors and colors.
How to Make Banana Smoothie with Milk
There are many ways to make banana milk (banana smoothie with milk).
First, get the following ingredients ready:
- Frozen bananas
- And any type of milk, it can be dairy-free milk as well
The best varieties would be almond or soy milk for those who don’t eat lactose.
The Steps Involved
Next, you can either use an ice cube tray in the freezer or just freeze the bananas. Once they’re frozen, peel them and cut them up into small pieces for easy blending later on.
Fill your blender with ice cubes and dairy-free milk of choice (again, almond or soy are great options).
Add in a banana or two to start with how many you would like to drink at once – the more bananas, the sweeter. If you are using a blender with ice cubes in it already, add some water for better blending.
Blend until desired consistency is reached and voila! You have a banana milk smoothie ready to drink or share with friends and family members who can’t eat lactose either!
FAQs About Banana Milk
Now that you know what it is, how you can make it, and some of its benefits, let’s dive into some of the frequently asked questions about banana milk.
Is Banana Milk Good for You?
If you’re looking for more calcium, there’s not as much of that in banana milk but almond milk has even less so it might be worth switching if you need something with extra benefits!
Caffeine/Smoothie Additions: Adding a little coffee or espresso to this drink can be a great way to give yourself some extra energy.
Putting a scoop of protein powder is also an awesome idea if you want something with more nutrients and fewer carbs!
So, Yes! Banana milk is good for you and can have potential benefits to your overall health.
How Long Does Banana Milk Last?
Banana milk will last about three days at room temperature. It can also be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within four to five days.
If you want it to stay fresh, store it in an airtight container away from heat sources such as cooking or microwaves, which may shorten how long banana milk lasts.
You can also freeze banana milk in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. To thaw, leave it out at room temperature or place the container under cold water and stir until the frozen parts of the milk are just slushy.
Can I Use Frozen Bananas Instead of Fresh Ones?
Frozen bananas can be used to make banana milk. The steps are the same, but you will need a higher ratio of frozen bananas for fresh ones to create the desired consistency and flavor.
How many grams of sugar are in a typical banana?
There is about 12g of sugar per serving.
What is the best type of milk to use for my banana milk?
Full-fat coconut cream is usually recommended, but most types can be used – go with what is local, fresh, and easily available.
Where can I buy banana milk?
You can find banana milk in most grocery stores, online stores, and specialty food shops.
Bottom Line
Banana milk is a great alternative to cow’s milk if you’re looking for some more variety in your diet. It can be made from either fresh or frozen bananas, and it has many nutrients that are good for the body.
And if you’re looking for a vegan or dairy alternative with less sugar than almond or soy milk, then this milk may be right up your alley!
If you desire to add banana milk to your diet more frequently, use the tips in this article and you’ll surely achieve great results!
