The Banana Diet

A Japanese fad diet which has hit the states by storm is making its presence felt in Europe…much to the delight of the banana plantations.

Stories of demand outstripping supply and shoppers being unable to buy a banana for neither love nor money in Japan are signs that the banana trade could be in for a bumper year.

Canarian bananas smaller and sweeter
The humble Canarian banana, preferred fruit of many a mother with tots due to their smaller size and sweeter taste, is one of the biggest exports of the Canaries; so if a banana craze is sweeping the globe, long may it rein!

High in fibre and low in fat
The snack favourite has on average 84 kcal of energy, traces of most vitamins and minerals, contains no fat and absolutely no cholesterol. It is reported to be good for your intestines and your skin, a folic acid choice for pregnant women and great for sportsmen, although the high levels of potassium could be cause for concern if too many are eaten with the latest ‘Banana Diet.’

Banana sales up
Roughly translated, the diet consists of as many bananas for breakfast as you need to feel full, taken with a glass of warm water and a healthy eating plan of whatever takes your fancy for the rest of the day. The diet is creating quite a following and with sales of bananas up by 70% in some stores, the figures back up the claims. The internet is full of success stories, claiming that the metabolism boosting resistant starch in bananas is the key but many are saying that this diet isn’t scientifically based and cite the ‘no exercise necessary,’ ‘eat what ever you want for lunch and tea,’ and the ‘bed before midnight’ instructions as misleading.

Toilet trouble
Some instructions found on the internet for the banana diet advise eating six bananas a day; two with each meal, one before and one after or one with each meal and three snacks throughout the day….remember the egg, grapefruit and cabbage diets anyone?! Too much a good thing and all that…!

Tenerife the largest grower
The Canaries know a thing of two about the banana trade, with Tenerife producing the most, followed by La Palma and Gran Canaria. Interest from other countries is being given to the islands and the applied microbiology in banana cultivation, with its environmentally friendly connotations.

Prestigious acknowledgement at banana conference
Dr Maria del Carmen Vega Jaimzme Vega has received, in Ecuador, recognition for research into developments which are conducive to sustainable agricultural policy and the reduction of fertilisers. The award was given at the most prestigious International banana event for her work with the Canarian Institute of Agricultural Research, part of the Ministry for Agriculture, Livestock, fisheries and food. Maria del carmen has worked largely with bananas, tomatoes and palms, key plants in the Canaries, and has made pioneering studies including developing plants in vitro using funghi for organic farming. Research scientists from Belgium and the USA are coming to look at her work for organic banana farming in the hope of improving crops in their countries and the health of their respective nations. So if you are still interested in starting on the banana diet, reach for the produce of the Canarian farmer and his organic bananas! RTN strongly advises that you consult with your doctor before embarking on any diet, including the banana diet. This article is not an endorsement of the banana diet.