Our holidays are usually filled with hiking, biking, and exploring new terrains and vistas. This year, we planned an adventurous get away with the intent of hiking and exploring the volcanic scenery of the archipelago Madeira, and while our holiday ended up taking a little more of a leisurely pace than we had planned (we REALLY needed a proper rest this year…), we had a great time exploring things we’d never see anywhere else. From lush landscapes to rugged coastlines, around every corner there was a new view to take in. But for both of us, one of the highlights was rather unexpected; the Banana Museum!
A Sweet Surprise…
Madeira’s banana exhibit is an unexpected hub of joy located in Ponta Do Sol on the island’s south coast. It’s a quirky treasure trove of knowledge and banana based around one of the world’s most popular fruits and possibly one of its favourite snacks! I didn’t know before I arrived in Madeira, that they are well known for their banana plantations and across the island, you will see the plants popping up on hillside crops.
I also wasn’t a massive fan of the yellow fruit before I left. I liked them as a kid but went off them somewhere around university – perhaps it was banana overload or perhaps it was the all-too-familiar smell of bananas at race stars that had started to really turn my stomach and suddenly, the thought of a banana breakfast as an adult made me want to dry heave.
That is, until “BAM” (the cute little title the museum has been given). Something about walking around the plantations, seeing the full effort that goes into creating a perfectly ripe banana from both farmer and plant and actually how whacky a fruit it really is, ignited a little banana passion inside me and suddenly, I can’t get enough!
The reason I’m sharing this little ditty, is because I think it is the perfect illustration of two things:
- The importance of really connecting with your food. Knowing where your food comes from, what’s special about it, smelling it, feeling it, seeing it grow if you can, preparing it, watching it change as you prepare it, really changes how you view it. It is one of the biggest steps toward mindful eating and it’s one of the reasons I’m a MASSIVE advocate for home cooking as much as you can.
- Paying attention to the stuff that makes you happy on holidays. This is a real big lifestyle game changer for me. Whenever I have clients going away on holiday, whether they’re anxious about taking time off or whether they’re in desperate need of unwinding and relaxing, I think it’s a great opportunity to slow down (even if you’re on an active holiday!) and pay attention to the things that make you happy, to the moments you share with yourself that make you feel whole, and bring them home with you. Foods and drinks are a big part of those moments, whether it’s the ritual of a morning coffee or for me, the habit of an afternoon banana!
So if you’re planning a get away, take these two little thoughts with you in your back pocket because you never know what might change for the better.
I thought about leaving you with a fun list of all the cool facts I learned about bananas and in particular, Madeira bananas (which incidentally DO taste different and I DID prefer to the Ecuadorian variety that appear in my fruit basket each week), but instead, since I’m a nutrition advisor for adventurers, I thought it would be more apt to leave you with…
10 Reasons bananas are the adventurer’s best friend.
- Portable and Convenient: “Pudding in its own bag” as my dad used to describe them, bananas come in their own natural packaging, making them easy to carry on hikes, climbs, or any outdoor adventure without the need for additional containers or concerns about environmental impact of wrappers and rubbish.
- Instant Energy Boost: Bananas are rich in natural sugars like glucose, fructose, and sucrose. This mixture of carbs means you’ll have a great source of sustained energy, often far better than just reaching for glucose alone.
- Rich in Potassium: Potassium is not only an underrated electrolyte for optimal fluid balance, but it’s also essential for muscle function and so it could help you avoid the dreaded muscle cramps!
- Source of Iron: Active outdoorsy types are often low on the oxygen carrying stuff and bananas can contribute to improving your iron levels so you feel less like you’ve been wiped out by a dump truck day to day, and more full of beans! (or should I say bananas…)
- Easily Digestible: Bananas are gentle on the stomach and can be digested easily, making them a great snack to avoid digestive discomfort during physical exertion or recovery when your guts don’t feel so great…
- Mood Booster: Bananas contain tryptophan, an amino acid that the body converts into serotonin, helping to improve mood and reduce stress—important for maintaining a positive mindset on challenging adventures. It can also help you sleep better – try a banana for dessert with your evening meal!
- Nutrient-Dense: Besides iron and electrolytes, bananas are also rich in vitamins C and B6, manganese, and dietary fiber, providing essential nutrients that support overall health and energy levels as well as gut function.
- Natural Antioxidants: The antioxidants in bananas help fight free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and promoting faster recovery after intense physical activity.
- Versatile Usage: You can eat them fresh, dry them, fry them. Then you can add them to mueslis, cakes, energy bars, biscuits, trail mixes…bananas are the culinary ingredient that keeps on giving when it comes to nutritious on the go snacks made in your own kitchen!
- Sustainable Energy Release: The combination of carbohydrates and fiber in bananas ensures a slow and steady release of energy, keeping adventurers fueled for longer periods without sudden spikes or crashes in energy levels.
BOOM! I hope this reignites your passion for bananas too…