Eat A Chiquita

 

Jelly, step aside: peanut butter has found a new best friend.

The peanut butter and banana (PB&B) combo is a match made in heaven, perfect for an on-the-go snack or in support of an active lifestyle. For exercisers and athletes in training who want to charge up before a trip to the gym or a big game, this tasty ensemble provides a high-performance blend of essential proteins, carbohydrates and electrolytes that can get you through that tough workout or a long day.

Potassi-Yum!

Potassium is just one of many electrolytes found in bananas, and is vital in maintaining a healthy level of fluids in your body's cells and muscles. When these levels get low, your body can become dehydrated, resulting in painful muscle cramps (ouch). But don’t worry, relief is just around the corner: one medium-sized banana provides almost 14% of the suggested daily potassium intake, making the banana a great way to replenish your body’s stores of fluid-regulating electrolytes which can help with those sore muscles. But that’s not all that bananas do. 

Energize

The carbs in bananas are easy for your body to break down quickly, making them a great choice for a mid-afternoon snack that will keep you energized and alert between lunch and dinner. But let’s not forget about the other half of this dynamic duo…

Power Up with Protein

A tablespoon of peanut butter has about 4 grams of protein (according to the USDA Nutrient Database), an energy source that takes longer to break down than carbohydrates and is therefore helpful in maintaining energy throughout the day.  A PB&B snack 2-4 hours before a workout can enhance athletic performance by providing sustainable energy, supplying the protein needed to build muscle and delivering potassium to help with hydration and muscle performance.

PB&B: 3 Simple Snacks

• Running low on time? Get straight to the point by spreading 2 tablespoons of peanut butter straight onto a banana.
• PB&B Smoothie: A peanut butter and banana smoothie is easily prepared in a blender from 1 fresh or frozen banana, a cup or so of milk, a handful of ice cubes and a serving of peanut butter; you can eyeball it and add ingredients until you reach the taste and consistency you prefer (or take a look at Fitness Magazine's 1-step peanut butter and banana smoothie recipe for suggested proportions). Athletes that use powdered protein supplements can add even more oomph to their PB&B combo by simply mixing it in before blending.

• PB&B Sandwich: One of the most common ways to enjoy this delectable combo, the peanut butter and banana sandwich is very easy to make. Take two slices of bread (whole grain, preferably) and smear 2 tablespoons of peanut butter on one side of a slice of bread. Then, cut a medium-sized banana into slices and arrange on the peanut butter. Stick the slices together and voilà! An instant classic.
• Sick of sandwiches? Try peanut butter and bananas on rice cakes instead of bread. Fitness Magazine named this one of 6 smart snacks for after your workout.

We know that a long day at the office can feel like a marathon. So remember, whether it’s on the treadmill or in the office, the PB&B combo is a nutrient and energy-rich snack with a brain and body boost that tastes good and is a healthy way to get through the day.