3 Incredible Health Benefits Of Bananas
Bananas are an extremely popular fruit due to their amazing taste and healthy nature. However, most people don’t know the reasons why bananas are actually considered healthy. According to GoodNet, there are many different reasons why bananas are healthy, but these three are the most interesting.
Bananas are full of fiber
There are three grams of fiber in each banana. It is recommended that people eat around 22 to 34 grams of fiber per day. However, most Americans eat way less than this. Fiber helps with digestion, promotes heart health, and can help to reduce certain cancers like colon cancer. Pairing a banana with whole grain cereal or oatmeal in the morning is a great way to boost your fiber intake.
Good for gut health
Eating fully ripe bananas not only helps add fiber, but also works as an amazing prebiotic that can help to feed good gut bacteria. They can help to prevent constipation and can also be used to treat diarrhea. They can also help replace lost water and electrolytes due to being sick or over exertion.
They can improve your memory
Bananas contain an amino acid, mainly found in turkey, called tryptophan. This amino acid can help your brain remember new information and learn new skills. This acid can also help to boost mood and reduce stress. This is because tryptophan aids with the production of serotonin, which is a happiness hormone that helps regulate mood.
Foods You Should Probably Skip Air Frying
Large Bone-In Meat
We’re not talking about chicken wings here, we’re talking about large whole chickens. You’re better off sticking to an oven when it comes to cooking them. If you’re wondering why, chicken must be cooked to a specific temperature internally before being consumed. According to the USDA, all poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, air frying this food item doesn’t guarantee an even cook. But hey, at least chicken wings are small enough to get an even crisp. Just make sure you line the air fryer basket first if it’s raw meat.
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Wet Batters
An air fryer is not a deep fryer. So, if you’re looking to toss battered fries, meat cutlets, or battered veggies, think again. There’s a big chance the batter will drip down the base of the machine, causing a big mess and major cleanup after. Bad enough, some people didn’t know you even had to clean an air fryer regularly. No really, someone on Reddit shared that they didn’t wash their air fryer basket after each use. “I don’t think I’ve ever washed it lol. I’ve had it for 8 months and decided to finally wash it today,” they wrote. They continued to say how there was a bunch of “solidified juices” and “fat/ grease” from steak and chicken.
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Cheesy Foods
It’s possible to make your favorite cheesy snacks in an air fryer. But it can get messy. AllRecipes cautions against air frying cheese. This isn’t because of health reasons but for cleanup purposes. They point out that cheese melts fast. The outlet suggests sticking to foods that effectively hold the cheese in place. Maybe, just stick to frozen cheeses like mozzarella sticks.
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Leafy or Chard Greens
Sure you can go ahead and put those Brussels sprouts or broccoli in the air fryer. But skip putting spinach, collard, or chard leaves in. If you haven’t tried it already, light leaves might move and shift around during the cooking process. You may also come across a fairly dry vegetable if you don’t put a little oil with it. And, of course, you don’t want to forget the seasonings.
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Popcorn
Some people have tried it but you probably shouldn’t. Most air fryer models won’t reach the required temperature to pop the kernels. According to Jolly Time Pop Corn, the best popping temperature is between 400 and 460 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, popcorn kernels can become lodged within the air fryer’s heating element, which can potentially cause it to short.
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Pasta, Quinoa, Rice, Grains
Some grains like bread can be cooked in an air fryer. However, it can get a little tricky with lighter breads like toast and English muffins due to the air making them fly around. But anything like pasta, quinoa, and rice doesn’t do too well. Raw grains need to absorb water to cook. But there is some good news. If you have rice that’s already cooked, just add a little oil to reat in the air fryer.
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