Breakfast is an important staple of the day. I know a lot of people who don’t eat in the morning, but I don’t understand them. Personally, if I don’t have breakfast when I wake up, I have no energy, plus I get sick to my stomach very soon. I try to have a healthy breakfast, I usually have eggs with lots of vegetables, but if I have a sweet tooth I add vitamins in the form of fruit to my oatmeal. But not all fruit is suitable in the morning. For example, did you know that you shouldn’t eat bananas at this time of day?

I like bananas a lot. I used to make pancakes for breakfast quite often, but now that I’m trying to eat a bit healthier, I’ve replaced them with oatmeal. But bananas are what’s left. Until recently. Because I’ve learned that although this fruit is rich in fiber and vitamins, it’s not exactly the best choice in the morning.

Why are bananas bad in the morning?

Bananas are an excellent fruit for aiding digestion and regulating bowel movements due to their high fiber content. They are gentle on the stomach and many people have them during stomach upsets. They are also rich in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and promotes proper heart function. They are high in vitamin B6, vitamin C, manganese and magnesium. Despite all this, why shouldn’t you consume them first thing in the morning as part of your breakfast?

British nutritionist Daryl Gioffre literallystates that bananas are the worst thing you can have for breakfast. There are several reasons for this:

  • High fructose: Bananas are a fruit that is really high in fructose. This causes blood sugar levels to rise quickly, only to fall just as quickly afterwards. And low sugar levels lead to sweet cravings. So if you have a banana for breakfast, you’ll have a craving virtually all morning.
  • Fatigue and loss of concentration: Low blood sugar can make you tired and unable to concentrate. In the morning, you need something to kick-start you, and unfortunately bananas are the exact opposite.
  • Acidosis of the digestive system: The sugar in bananas is fermented and converted into alcohol during digestion. This process produces acids that can cause inflammation in the body. If the situation is serious, diseases like osteoarthritis and gout can even develop.
If you're having porridge with bananas for breakfast, you might want to think about another fruit to replace them. ━━ If you're having porridge with bananas for breakfast, you might want to think about another fruit to replace them. ( Source: Yente Van Eynde /  Unsplash+ )

So what fruit to eat for breakfast?

The best fruit for breakfast is fruit that gives you energy, aids digestion and has a balance of sugars and fibre, in proportions that give you a kick-start but don’t leave you feeling exhausted half an hour later. Ideal examples are:

  • Apples: they are rich in fibre, which aids digestion, and antioxidants. They help keep you feeling full until lunchtime.
  • Blueberries: Blueberries (and berries in general) have a low glycemic index. Sugar is released slowly so the body has stable energy. They contain lots of antioxidants and vitamin C.
  • Orange: Contains a lot of vitamin C and hydrates the body due to its high water content. Oranges help kick-start metabolism and immunity.

“Eating fruit for breakfast especially gives the body a lot of fiber. This can promote stable energy in the morning, prevent morning blood sugar spikes and reduce the likelihood of an energy crash at midday,” explains nutritionist Morgan Walker.

Instead of bananas, I now always prefer blueberries, raspberries or strawberries with my porridge. On the rare occasion I make pancakes on my diet, I like to eat roasted apples or pears with them. I avoid bananas in the morning, but once in a while I have them instead of my afternoon snack.