Get the best out of bananas

I always thought bananas could only help prevent constipation because of its high fibre content. However, I was amazed that this fruit is so power-packed with other goodness.

 

(image source: gettyimages)

Here are my top favourite benefits of bananas:

1. Combat ills: Four bananas worth of potassium daily fights an array of ills from osteoporosis, stroke, hypertension, kidney stones to bloating and cramps (good to consume more during the first few days of menstruation).

2. Ditch those energy bars: To get a lasting and caffeine-free energy levels, you no longer need coffee or chocolate bars. Banana is a nature’s snack that contains three natural sugars (sucrose, fructose and glucose) and fibre. Do bite into a banana before you hit the gym for an energy boost!

3. Stress no more: Juice lettuce, pear and banana. *Special tip: For juicing, normal yellow bananas or baby bananas (pisang susa) are the best. Choose the just-ripe ones, because the over-ripe or under-ripe bananas may make the juice taste different.  

4. Get rid of dry skin: Chop two average-sized bananas and add two teaspoons of honey. Mash both together until you get a smooth texture. Apply the mixture over your face and wash it off after ten minutes.

5. Love your bust: I was totally shocked when I read this on the Shape (Singapore) magazine. I would classify this as beauty treatment for the adventurous beauty-seekers. This method helps firm your bust and go against the law of gravity (anti-sagginess). Start off with smashing blackened bananas (very riped bananas) in an old bra and wear it for five to ten minutes a day.

Have a different view of bananas now? Start biting into them!

time to detox (post Chinese New Year woes)

Chinese New Year always give me a love-hate feeling. I love eating and snack, and my house has no lack of food. My living area is like a red alert zone, with all the snacks screaming at me to eat them. However, here comes the hate part – I put on weight fast and the tummy is back in sight. Sigh.

This morning, in the shower, I took in a deep breathe and tried holding my tummy in for as long as I could. I wished for that flat tummy. Alright, but after so many days of feasting, I need to first detox.

My dear Lifen is unable to visit the toilet this morning because of over-feasting on all the pineapple tarts. My dear Joanne is having a bad throat, so am I, and you know why – all the chocolates and cookies are just irrresistible.  (Gosh, I got all excited talking about food.)

Here are some simple and inexpensive remedies for my “constipated” friend (Lifen is going to get me for this unexpected publicity of her bowels movement.)

1. Fibre-fruity: Apple or pear is key to healthy bowels. To have a three-in-one solution, go for guava because it gives you 150mg of Vitamin C as well as fibre and potassium. (Yes, papaya too… usually it is last on my list because I just cannot get use of that smell.)

2. Sweet-vegan: Start biting off those cobs of sweet corn! Those little fibre that stucks between your teeth will help prevent constipation.

3. Juice it: For deep cleansing of the digestive system, go for this juice combination of papaya, mango, and pineapple. I am going to try this out tomorrow, the day after, until I feel fully cleansed within.

4. Let it all go (scream “Detox“): Try this juice combination of beetroot, orange, tomato, and parsley. For something tastier, go for orange, pear, yam, grapefruit and apple.

5. The basics: I have tried eating raw vegetable salad without any dressing, and it works too. And of course, drink lots of water.

Remedies for another top post-CYN problem: Sore throat

1. Eat red peppers – I was surprised to find out that red pepper contains a substance simliar to what is found in cough syrup. (More benefits: Red peppers contains Vitamin A and twice more Vitamin C than broccoli or kai lan. It is full of antioxidants too.)

2. Juicing again – Juice the combination of watercress, turnip and carrots (more of them to tone down the peppery taste of watercress) – watercress is great for soothing throat infections.

3. No more snacks till you get well. This is from me (and for me too).