Banana Chips: Healthy or Not?

I love dried fruit!  I like to bulk up my morning cereal with a mix of dried fruit and nuts, I’ll have it as an afternoon snack at my desk or if I want to be “good” I’ll eat it instead of what I feel are naughtier sweet treats like chocolate, cookies, or ice cream. But am I really doing myself any favors? I did a little digging and found out.

You can have…

A handful of banana chips (that’s about 1 ½oz) for 218 calories, 14g fat, 14.8g sugar, 1g protein, 3.2g dietary fiber

Or

Two medium bananas for 210 calories, 1g fat, 28.8g sugar, 2.6g protein, 6.2g dietary fiber

The sugar is throwing me for a loop but look at the fat and fiber! Plus, I’d never sit down and eat two whole bananas (but I would dig in and eat more than a handful of banana chips)! Considering they’re just 19 cents a pop at Trader Joe’s (33 cents if I want to splurge at the corner fruit vendor) I might just have to try adding them to my morning meal.

Truth be told I don’t love bananas unless, say, it’s on a grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich...or banana bread! Any suggestions from our banana-loving readers?  I’d love to give it a try! Leave a comment or tweet me @Shape_Magazine.

As an editor at SHAPE I have the chance to learn about the healthiest ways to cook, eat, and live from all sorts of experts but I’m also a single girl living in NYC with a busy schedule, active social life, and chocolate cravings. I’m here to share what works for me—and where I need a little help from you. Follow me on Twitter @Shape_Magzine with hashtag #FitFoodie—I will respond!