Healthy Dark Chocolate Swirl Banana Bread
INGREDIENTS
3 ripe bananas
2 eggs
½ cup Greek yogurt
⅓ cup maple syrup (optional-honey)
teaspoon vanilla
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ cup dark chocolate chunks
PREPARATION
1. Preheat oven to 325˚F/170˚C.
2. Mash bananas in a large bowl. Add eggs and combine thoroughly. Then mix in the remaining wet ingredients: greek yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla.
3. Next, add the whole wheat flour and baking powder and mix until fully incorporated. Be careful not to over mix.
4. In a medium, microwave-safe bowl, microwave the chocolate chunks in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth.
5. Add one cup of the banana batter to the bowl of melted chocolate and fold until mixed well.
6. Pour the banana batter and the chocolate batter alternately into a greased 9×5-inch bread pan. These do not need to be even layers.
7. Using a knife or a spoon, gently swirl the batters together.
8. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the bread.
9. Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes.
10. Enjoy! Courtesy of Goodful
Mmmm, healthy banana bread!
Take Home Message on Dark Chocolate
There is considerable evidence that cocoa can provide powerful health benefits, being especially protective against cardiovascular disease.
But of course, this doesn’t mean people should go all out and consume lots of chocolate every day. It is still loaded with calories and easy to overeat on. Maybe have a square or two after dinner and try to really savor them.
Be aware that a lot of the chocolate on the market is crap. You need to choose quality stuff… organic, dark chocolate with 70% or higher cocoa content.
Dark chocolates often contain some sugar, but the amounts are usually small and the darker the chocolate, the less sugar it will contain.
There are of course other benefits to chocolate that I have not mentioned… such as the awesome taste. Courtesy of Kris Gunnars
Benefits of Bananas
Bananas may help relieve muscle cramps caused by exercise. They also provide excellent fuel for endurance exercise.
Eating a banana several times a week may reduce the risk of kidney disease by up to 50%. WOWZERS!!
Unripe bananas are a good source of resistant starch, which may improve insulin sensitivity. However, more research is needed.
Bananas contain high amounts of resistant starch or pectin, depending on ripeness. Both may reduce appetite and help keep you full.
Bananas are high in several antioxidants, which may help reduce damage from free radicals and lower the risk of some diseases.
Also, Bananas are a good dietary source of potassium and magnesium, two nutrients that are essential for heart health.
Furthermore, Bananas may help with weight loss. They are low in calories, high in nutrients and fiber, and may have appetite-reducing effects.
Lastly, Bananas contain nutrients that can help moderate blood sugar levels after meals. They may also reduce appetite by slowing stomach emptying.
With all these benefits of eating a Banana and Dark Chocolate- add the two together and you get something magical~ Courtesy: By Adda Bjarnadottir, MS
