Bananas and sporting performance

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Healthy Eating Advisor
@AvogelUKHealth
Ask Felicity


21 July 2015

Bananas and sporting performance

Despite containing only 110 calories each, eating two bananas will give you enough power for a strenuous 90 minute workout. Their natural sugars include fructose and glucose, which provide an instant and sustained energy boost without any of the negative side-effects of sports drinks. Eating a banana post-sport will also help replenish your levels of potassium and electrolytes lost through sweat.

Why not try making your own natural banana sports drink? Quick, tasty and satisfying - it’s perfect before, during or after any prolonged physical activity.

Banana sports drink recipe

1 large banana
A glass of milk, coconut water or green tea
A handful of blueberries
A few spoonful’s of Greek yoghurt (optional, but good for a calcium boost)
A pinch of salt (sodium helps the body to recover from physical exertion)

Method:
1. Peel the banana, remove and discard the skin and cut into chunks.
2. Blend the banana together with all the other ingredients in a blender or juicer.

Experiment by adding different fruits or vegetables, particularly ones high in vitamin C.

Drink before or during sports for a natural and sustained energy boost or after to replace electrolytes and potassium and avoid muscle cramps.

Try adding a few drop of your favourite A.Vogel tincture, such as Echinaforce for a super-healthy tonic!

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