Banana Blueberry bread
I don’t know about you but I love a good banana bread! Toasted with lathers of butter or a dairy free alternative it’s definitely soul food! This one only contains the sugar from the fruit without loads of added sugars, plus with the addition of the chia seeds we’re increasing the fibre to help us feel full faster and help feed the good gut bugs. So good!
To make it gluten free, swap out the flour for your preferred gluten free flour. Almond flour has the highest amount of protein and lowest amount of carbs, coconut flour can be a good option to reduce the amount of carbohydrates but don’t use more than 1/3 of the flour as coconut flour (or maybe add a bit more liquid) as it can make it a bit dry otherwise. I like buckwheat flour for mine, but will often mix it with a bit of almond and some more standard gluten free flour mixes. Last time I made it I used 1/2 C buckwheat flour, 1/2 C almond flour and 1/4 C gluten free flour and it was great!
Bananas are a good source of several essential vitamins and minerals. They are particularly rich in vitamin C, which boosts the immune system and aids in collagen production. Bananas also provide vitamin B6, which is important for brain development, metabolism, and the production of red blood cells. Additionally, they contain minerals like potassium, which is essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels and supporting heart function, and manganese, which is involved in bone health and metabolism.
Despite their tiny size, chia seeds are highly nutritious. They’re packed with fibre, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and various micronutrients.
Blueberries are packed with antioxidants called anthocyanins. They can also neutralize free radical damage to the collagen matrix of cells and tissues that can lead to cataracts, glaucoma, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, heart disease and cancer. Blueberries may fight sun damage to skin and may thwart the effects of Alzheimer’s and other age-related diseases.
Ingredients
5 bananas - ripe work best. You can freeze them til you're ready to use
1/2 C wholemeal flour (or your preferred gluten free flour, see note above)
3/4 C white flour (or your preferred gluten free flour, see note above)
3 tsp baking powder (gluten free if necessary)
pinch salt
1/4 C Chia Seeds
1 C Blueberries (or chocolate chips or walnuts)
Squeeze of lemon juice
Method
Mash the bananas with a fork.
Mix all the other ingredients except the chia seeds and blueberries
Stir through the blueberries and chia seeds
Pour into a greased loaf pan
Bake at 180 degrees C for 50 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean
Cool and serve
