Can a toddler eat too many bananas?

In this article, we will answer the question “Can a toddler eat too many bananas?”, and which banana is good for babies?

Can a toddler eat too many bananas?

The rule of thumb is to not feed more than ⅓ of a banana per day to a 4-month-old baby. You need to increase the banana intake in increments up to half a banana per day by the time the baby is 9 months old. A 2-year-old baby can easily eat 2 and a ½ bananas per day. 

This recommended intake is in consideration of the sugar and fiber content of the banana and the dietary needs of an infant. 

Age Amount 
< 4 Months0
4 – 9 Months⅓ per day 
9 – 12 Months¼ per day
12 Months +1 ½ per day

Nutrition facts of bananas

An average medium-sized banana provides the following nutrients.

Calories 105 kcal
Total fat 0.4 grams
Total carbohydrates 27 grams (3.1 grams fiber, 14 grams sugar)
Protein 1.3 grams
Sodium 1.2 mg
Cholesterol 0 mg
Potassium 422 mg
Vitamin A 1.5% of the daily value (DV)
Vitamin C17% of DV
Vitamin B620% of DV
Iron 1.7% of DV
Magnesium 6% of DV

Do bananas cause constipation in babies?

The popular opinion holds that the green unripe bananas prevent constipation while the ripe bananas promote it. 

But there is no scientific evidence to this theory. What plays a more important role in preventing or promoting constipation in babies is their hydration levels. 

Besides, whether or not your baby gets constipation after eating bananas depends upon how their digestive system reacts to it. 

Some babies may eat a whole banana without trouble while others won’t be able to digest even a small portion of it.

Can I feed bananas daily to my baby?

Yes, you can feed bananas daily to your baby as long as their digestive system likes it. You must familiarize your baby with different types of fruits and veggies to expand their palate and ensure your baby’s growth and development.

Can babies have too much potassium?

Bananas are packed with potassium so one might wonder if eating bananas regularly could cause potassium toxicity in your baby or not. According to the CDC, the healthy intake of potassium for a 1-3-year-old baby is 3000mg per day. 

A medium banana provides 422 mg of potassium that means your baby will have to gobble up 7 bananas to consume the aforementioned allowed potassium intake for babies. 

Other foods that are rich in potassium include sweet potatoes (542 mg for medium), spinach (839 mg per cup), natural yogurt (579 mg per cup), and avocados (487 mg per half).

What kind of banana is good for babies?

Your best bet is to go for organic bananas because they have zero pesticide load. Indeed, bananas are not that risky when it comes to pesticide residues but it is better to be safe than sorry. Whatever banana you chose, prefer it uncooked or unbaked to reap the maximum nutrients. 

Benefits of eating bananas

Bananas are packed with Vitamins like Vitamin A, C, and B6 and minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium. These minerals and vitamins play a crucial role in the growth and development of toddlers. 

The plus point is that bananas need no peeling or refrigeration and they are the perfect snacks especially for kids because they tend to like sweet foods. Some of the other benefits of bananas are as follows.

Diabetes management 

Diabetics are encouraged to eat food with a Glycemic Index (GI) lower than 55. This prevents their blood sugar from suddenly rising to high levels. 

A slightly unripe or a banana with a uniform yellow peel is the best choice for diabetics. Because ripe bananas have a GI score of 51.

Heart health

Bananas provide a good amount of potassium. This mineral acts as an electrolyte and is important for nerve health. Besides, it protects your heart.

Decreased blood pressure 

The potassium present in bananas helps counter the sodium in the blood. This helps de-stress the vessels and prevents hypertension.

Weight management 

Bananas are sweet but they are a good source of fiber. Thus bananas keep you full while satisfying your sweet cravings. Unlike what the fad diet promoters would have you believe, energy or protein bars contain more calories than plain bananas.  

Disadvantages of overconsumption of bananas

The high calorie and high sugar content of bananas promote tooth decay and weight gain. Bananas are very filling, thus, they tend to keep the toddlers from eating other nutritious fruits. Besides bananas have no fat which is important for growing babies.

Conclusion

In this article, we answered the question “Can a toddler eat too many bananas?”, and which banana is good for babies?

References

https://naturalbabylife.com/how-much-banana-is-too-much-for-baby/#The_nutritional_benefit_of_bananas
https://wrigglytoes.com.au/blog/parenting-guides/can-a-toddler-eat-too-many-bananas

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