Banana bread is a staple in our household. So even without any special health benefits I frequently prepare it. But, now that I have come across so delicious banana bread recipes that include foods and ingredients that are health promoting, I decided to give my usual banana bread recipe a healthy kick.
Benefits of Carrots in Banana Bread
It is common knowledge that carrots are good for the eyes. I distinctly remember my mother telling me to eat more carrots if I want to lose my glasses. The reason behind this is because these crunchy orange vegetables abound with vitamin A, which is probably their best feature and the main reason why they are so incredibly nutritious.
It is actually beta carotene they abound with and it, later on, gets converted into vitamin A in the liver, but the important thing to bear in mind is carrots are truly a superfood.
Not only good for the vision vitamin A and the antioxidants carrots contain are also great for the skin. So much so, that it can prevent premature wrinkling, and also help with problems like acne, blemishes, dry skin, pigmentation, and uneven skin tone.
Alongside the beta carotene carrots also contain alpha-carotene and lutein. This means that consuming carrots on a daily basis will significantly lower the cholesterol levels in our blood, thus lowering the risk of heart disease.
But when it comes to the taste, I am not a big fan, so recipes that make use of carrots will always come in handy.
Healthy Banana Bread Base
But don’t think that adding some carrots in your regular banana bread recipe will instantly make it healthier. For the best results consider the following tips:
Replace regular all-purpose flour with whole wheat, rice, or even a nutty flour would be a good idea.
Non-dairy milk is always a better idea than the regular whole milk when you are going for a healthier take on a recipe. But, because of the distinct taste carrots give to the banana loaf, I think soy milk or rice milk would be the better choice than the tiny bit more flavorful almond or coconut milks.
Avoid using refined sugar. Consider instead, replacing it with its brown counterpart, or stevia. You can also skip sugar entirely by using some extra ripe bananas that will give a sweeter taste to the banana bread.
Healthy Banana Bread Add-ins that Go Great with Carrots
Nuts. Pecans and walnuts pair perfectly well with carrots when it comes to the banana bread batter. They will give a crunchiness to the soft and moist banana bread that will surely be a great change of pace from your regular one.
Fruits. Peaches, for instance, will give your banana bread a certain freshness and sweetness without overshadowing the whole healthy theme. Strawberries can also do the trick.
Cheese. Especially goat cheese will give your banana bread a moist and soft texture that is sure going to become something you won’t be able to let go of.
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