3 Incredibly Simple and Healing Banana Smoothie Recipes You’ll Love

Along my health journey I was told to avoid bananas on more than one occasion by more than one practitioner.  I was told fruit and sugar would “feed” the things in my gut that were causing my GI symptoms.  I have always loved fruit, especially bananas.  I remember how disappointed I was that I couldn’t have a banana-seriously, a banana?!  Bananas along with other fruits can get a bad rap.  Well my friends, let me tell you that there is a TON of misinformation out there.  I am here to dispel the myths and tell you the truth.  And the truth about bananas?  And (spoiler alert) other fruit?  They are NOT the problem.  We should not be avoiding them.  Quite the opposite actually.    

Did you know bananas are truly a holistic healing food?  I love them!!  They are one of my favorite foods. Bananas support our emotional, physical, and spiritual health.  They are also full of beneficial vitamins and minerals like vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, and manganese.  You’ve heard the term “brain-food”, right?  Bananas and other fruits are THE ultimate brain foods.  The most important thing our brains need to survive is glucose.  Glucose from fruit is the best fuel we can feed our minds, making bananas some of the best brain food out there!

Bananas are well-equipped to support us emotionally too since they are an awesome “brain-food”.  Whether you’re a deep thinker, a busy mom, or a boss babe on the go-bananas should be one of your go-to snacks since they’re an amazing electrolyte food due to their high water to nutrient ratio.  

And let’s face it, fear is a common feeling that people are experiencing right now.  Managing our stress and our fears and maintaining emotional balance can be a serious challenge on a good day let alone in the midst of the pandemic.  Bananas are a great resource for helping us keep our emotions in check, so tuck that one into your holistic health toolbox.  Bananas actually help reverse a fearful state of mind. Try eating 3 a day (or more!) if you’re dealing with severe symptoms and conditions related to fear like anxiety and PTSD.  

Bananas are a strong antiviral food.  This is because they contain antibiotic and anti-fungal compounds that help fight off viruses.  It is this exact reason that bananas are excellent for many different chronic conditions and symptoms such as high blood pressure, stroke, IBS, epstein barr virus, shingles, MS, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and kidney, colon, and lung cancer.  

Bananas are excellent at stabilizing blood sugar.  It is completely false that they are “too high in sugar”.  Bananas are one of the most incredible healers for any digestive issue: IBS, bloating, constipation, Crohn’s disease- just to name a few.  

On the spiritual health side, bananas and the color yellow are connected to our solar plexus chakra.  If you’re not familiar with chakras, think of them as energy centers.  (I’ll teach more about this in future posts) If we’re feeling emotional, depressed, or sad, then eating yellow healthy foods like bananas (or pineapple) acts as a natural mood booster.

Honestly, I could easily write several more posts just to try to cover all of the rest of the healing powers of bananas.   They are one of MANY holistic healing foods.

Basic Banana Smoothie Recipes

Healing recipe time!  I want to share three of my absolute favorite healing banana smoothie recipes (none of which taste like bananas!).  I “created” 2 of these banana smoothie recipes last year and fell in love with them.  The other recipe is adapted from one of my favorite authors, Anthony William.  If you’re a smoothie lover like me, you may also get as excited as I do when I find a new delicious smoothie recipe that’s also simple!  These banana smoothie recipes are all VERY simple and each one is PACKED with countless healing benefits.

ALL of these basic banana smoothie recipes can be blended and drank as a smoothie or used as a base for an amazing smoothie bowl too!

Basic Banana Spinach Smoothie Bowl

This is my FAVORITE smoothie bowl base ever!!!!  I’m going to share the version I make a few times a week.  You can use this as a base and add other things to it-like spirulina.  You can also choose any other healthy toppings you like such as other berries, coconut flakes, or pepitas.

Ingredients:

• 2 frozen bananas 
• 2-3 big handfuls of spinach (there is no exact measurement-use more if you like!)
• ½ cup coconut water

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend to smoothie consistency

Top with fresh blueberries, dried mulberries, and goji berries 

Makes 1 serving

Basic Banana Berry “Chocolate” Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 2 bananas
• 2 cups coconut water
• 1 bag frozen cherries (can also use fresh!)
• 1 cup strawberries 
• 2 tsp chaga 
• 2 tbsp maca
• 2 tbsp hemp seeds (optional)

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend to smoothie consistency!

Enjoy or use as a smoothie bowl base and add your favorite toppings!

Basic Banana Mango Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mango (fresh or frozen)
• 1 banana
• 1 cup water

Possible Smoothie Additions:

• 2 cups spinach
• ½ cup raspberries
• 1 orange, juiced
• ½ inch fresh ginger
• ½ cup strawberries
• ½ cup peach 

Directions:

Combine mango, banana, and water along with any desired additions in a blender.  Blend until smooth!

Let me know what smoothie combinations you try and love!  I’m always excited when I find a new one!

Are you wondering if bananas or other specific foods could help you target any of the pain, symptoms, or health issues you’re dealing with?  At my holistic health practice Healthy Transformations with Heart, I design personalized holistic healing protocols incorporating healing foods that best support my clients’ and patients’ unique health situations by targeting the root causes of their problems.

Grab a banana next time you need to boost your mood!  Sending a boost of positive energy all around today!

~Dr. Rodgers