What's In Season? Bananas

While we are admittedly lucky to live where we can have delicious, ripe bananas year-round, their peak season in Southern California is actually spring. Although the banana is one of the most consumed and recognizable fruits worldwide, many people may not realize the numerous health benefits that accompany this beloved fruit.

Bananas are high in fiber, potassium, vitamins B6 and C, antioxidants, and magnesium. They are also low in calories, fat, and sodium.

All of this combines to make one super fruit. Bananas are associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke, improved digestive health, enhanced immune function, better bone health and muscle performance, lower blood pressure, and increased energy levels as a nutritious carbohydrate.

The most common ways to consume bananas include on their own as a snack, in a smoothie, in breakfast bowls, or in banana bread. But there are endless ways bananas can be added to your daily diet. This March, take those bananas sitting in your fruit bowl and try something new, like banana pudding, banana fritters, frozen banana bites, banana ice cream, banana chips, peanut butter and banana toast topped with honey, or even in a banana curry dish!