Banana skin smoothie! 🥤

An idea to contribute to waste valorization! 💛

Nutrition:

Banana is one of the most popular fruits in the world that typically grows in tropical and subtropical areas. It has a high nutritional value as it contains fibre and many minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.

The fibre content makes the bananas ideal prebiotics that stimulate the commensal microorganisms in the gut, increasing the number of Bifidobacteria. Bananas are also good pre-workout snacks due to the potassium content that maintains nerve and muscle function during exercise. Moreover, as all fruit and vegetables, they contain chemical bioactive compounds that exhibit antioxidant activity. The most prevalent are carotenoids and polyphenols. An interesting fact is that there are more than 1,000 varieties of bananas but not all of them are edible. We consume only one type which is the Cavendish banana.

The main health benefits that bananas provide are:

• Boosting energy and muscle strength due to the potassium content.

• Treat anaemia due to the iron content.

• Prevent depression due to the serotonin content.

• Treat diabetes patients and patients who suffer from heart problems due to the starch content and the antihyperglycemic effects.

Finally, the peel of the banana is rich in fibre and protects the fruit against microbial contamination. The peel can also be incorporated in edible coatings that increase the shelf-life of the banana. Eating the peel is not only a way to incorporate more nutrients but also is an efficient way to avoid food waste.

What You Need (1 serving):

1 small banana skin

2 teaspoons of cinnamon

135 ml of almond milk (sweetened)

1 tablespoon of chia seeds

Allergens: Tree nuts

1 serving

Method:

1. Peel your banana and save the skin (eat the banana – don’t waste it! 😉)

2. Remove the inside banana peel

3. Cut the skin small straight lines

4. Add some sesame oil in a pan until hot

5. Add your skin and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon

6. Let it fry until the skin become smooth

7. Transfer to a blender, add the milk and the chia seeds

8. Blend everything and serve your delicious smoothies