Banana bread is a comfort food for many of us. I have transformed the recipe into a delicious, nourishing and even healing food.
Banana bread is a traditional dessert and a comfort food for many of us. I have transformed the recipe into a delicious, nourishing and even healing food. With many substitutions the recipe is now gluten free, dairy free. I also use ingredients that are truly super foods because they are so nutrient rich! I also have a recipe for banana muffins here.
Health Benefits Of Oats
Oats are a great example of food as medicine. They have been used traditionally as a restorative “tonic” to reduce fatigue, improve nerve function, and strengthen the muscles. They are an excellent nutritious food due to their support of the recovery after an illness or exhaustion. Oats seem to be particularly beneficial for nervous and digestive systems. They are very rich in minerals needed for healthy bones, hair, skin and nails. Proteins in oats don’t contain gluten but due to crop rotations with wheat, they are often contaminated with it. So if gluten sensitivity is an issue for you please use oats that are labeled gluten-free.
- Oats are a great source for many minerals including iron, manganese and zinc. However, to make these minerals available to your body, you should soak them overnight in water.
- Oats are rich in fiber which benefits our digestive system and help eliminate toxins. Beta-gucan is a particular type of fiber that improves lipid (fat) and glucose (sugar) metabolism.
- Avenanthramides are compounds found only in oats. They increases glutathione concentration in the blood., which is the most abundant and powerful antioxidant that our body produces!
Health Benefits Of Flaxseeds
I’m always looking for ways to incorporate flaxseeds into my recipes because their health benefits are incredible.
- First of all, they play an important role in regulating estrogen production and metabolism. This can lower the risk of breast cancer, and improve the symptoms related to menopause.
- Lignans in flaxseed reduce breast cancer risk by suppressing cancer tumor growth and metastasis.
- Flaxseeds are high in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Because Omega-3s enhance anti-inflammatory pathways in our body they protect us against heart disease.
- The soluble fiber in flax seeds promotes regularity and soothes the digestive tract.
Banana bread
Ingredients:
½ cup flaxseed meal
½ cup pumpkin seeds
¼ tsp salt
2 ripe bananas
2 eggs
1/3 cup coconut oil
1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
½ cup small pieces of walnuts
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- In a food processor pulse together the oats, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, and salt.
- Add the bananas, eggs, coconut oil, and maple syrup.
- In a small container or a large tablespoon, combine together the baking soda and the vinegar. The mixture will bubble vigorously. Add the mixture to the food processor and blend together.
- Take the blade out and add the walnuts to the mixture, mixing with a spatula.
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and pour the batter into the pan.
- Cook for 50 minutes. Stick a match, toothpick or a wooden skewer into the bread to check if it’s ready. There should be no dough on the wood when you pull it out.