Banana Muffins Could Be Your Secret to Healthy Weight Loss

A lot of muffins sold in stores and restaurants are really closer to cupcakes. They're packed with refined flour, white sugar and lots of fat. That makes them enjoyable to eat, but also a danger to your waistline. In fact, some muffins pack in as many calories as an ordinary full meal! Not every baked good is this detrimental to your diet, however. In fact, it's possible to eat banana muffins every day and still lose weight. You just need to choose the right ones. Here's a look at the best banana muffins for weight loss and better health.

Real Fruit
Bananas offer plenty of health benefits, but only if you can get the real thing. They provide natural sweetness, potassium and plenty of other nutrients. Artificial sources might give you plenty of banana flavor, but they'll be missing out on the health benefits that can only come from genuine fruit. If you really want to control the fruit content of your muffins, you can make your own at home. Otherwise, read ingredient lists to make sure the banana flavor in your baked goods comes from natural sources.

Calorie Content
Muffins don't have to be heavy on the calories to be satisfying. In fact, there are tasty muffins and muffin tops available for about 100 calories apiece. Whether you use a healthy home made muffin recipe to produce a more reasonably-sized muffin or you choose a commercial variety, watch those calories. Simply cutting back on the sugar and using better quality ingredients can do a lot to help you have a muffin that's enjoyable without packing on the pounds.

Whole Grains
White flour is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to causing weight gain, but you'll find it in most muffins. If you really want to control your appetite and help get rid of the pounds, you need to choose products with a whole grain base. At home, consider substituting half of your white flour for wheat flour in any muffin recipe. If you're buying commercial muffins, check the ingredients panel to make sure that your baked goods include plenty of healthy whole grains. They'll help reduce your risk of many diseases and make it easier to eat a reasonable portion.

Sugar and Fat
Fat and sugar have been added to lots of store and restaurant muffins in order to keep them from going stale. They might make the muffin taste rich and sweet, but they're detrimental to your health. If you want a muffin that won't hurt you in the long run, look for options that include natural sweeteners and less fat. Home cooks can substitute applesauce or fat free yogurt for some of the butter and oil in their recipes. It'll really make a difference!