Ask Amy: Health Watch

Morning Banana Diet

Hi Everybody!

I saw this story on our 4pm newscast today and wanted to share it with you. There is a new weight lose craze ... it started in Japan and has now crossed the ocean. It’s called the morning banana diet. It’s exactly that ... eat bananas in the morning and lose weight. It’s just that easy! Here’s what you need to do, eat bananas for breakfast or brunch with water at room temperature. You can eat whatever you want for lunch and dinner but no desserts or snacks. We’ve heard it before and the same applies here ... don’t eat after 8pm.  Get this - you don’t have to exercise to shed pounds (I’m not sure if doctors would agree with that statement). It may work at first because bananas are high in fiber and vitamins and low in calories. It can be a good substitute for sugary cereals or bagels and cream cheese for breakfast. But experts say there is no substitute to reducing those calories and working out on a regular basis.
   

Eat bananas and lose weight?

Hi Amy -

My name is also Amy - I’m a registered and licensed dietitian in the State of Ohio, and I’m currently completing my PhD in human nutrition here at Ohio State. 

I was compelled to comment on the “Morning Banana Diet”, because if something seems too good to be true, this is likely the case.  You are right in saying there is no substitute for reducing calories and exercising on a regular basis.  Weight loss is a fine line to walk, as an individual must consume enough calories to maintain their “metabolism” (energy needed for normal body functions as well as a little extra), but reduce their calorie intake enough to promote weight loss.  The exercise is also important as it not only promotes energy expenditure but also aids in maintaining muscle mass (muscle is where most calories are burned).  There is really no substitute (bananas or otherwise) for a balanced diet with an appropriate amount of calories/fat/protein/carbohydrate specific to each individual’s needs.  Your local dietitian can help you develop an appropriate plan.

I am also writing to let you know that at OSU we are conducting a nutrition education study for individuals with type 2 diabetes that involves learning about how the glycemic index of foods can help you make better food choices for controlling blood glucose.  If anyone is interested, they can go to the following link for more information, contact info, etc. 

http://ehe.osu.edu/hn/clinicalstudies/

Thanks!  Amy

To go along with what Amy said, you should try to have balanced meals. A piece of fruit is a good snack, but you need carbs and protein for breakfast. For example, add oatmeal and a protein shake with the banana and you would have a more balanced meal. Regarding dieting, you need to consume fewer calories than your body actually requires. You don’t need to exercise to lose weight per say, it’s more a matter of consuming less calories. However, resistance training will help you retain muscle tissue and bone density while dieting. Your goal should be to lose body fat not muscle tissue. Also, calorie restriction should be reasonable. If you try to restrict calories too dramatically, your body will go into “starvation mode” and slow down its metabolism. In general, a diet should be something you can maintain the rest of your life. You may need to restict or add calories, but the basic foods should not change very much. Fad diets don’t work well as most individuals cannot maintain them for long.

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