Lisa's Superb Banana Walnut Bread

Bananas
Originally uploaded by jaboobie.

As WLS folks we tend to think we cannot and should not eat baked goods. In most cases this is correct for a couple of reasons. The obvious is baked goods are not particularly nutritional, tend to be high in fat and sugar which can cause immediate blood sugar problems (dumping) and in the long run result in weight gain. I'm a former baker and admittedly there are days when I miss some lovin' from the oven.

One of our LivingAfterWLS neighbors, Lisa, has devised an exceptional Banana Nut Bread recipe that is a nutritional gold mine AND WLS compliant. I tried it the very day she sent it to me and it truly is "Lisa's Superb Banana Bread." Thanks Lisa for sharing!

Lisa's Superb Banana Walnut Bread

Ingredients:
1 cup white flour
1/2 cup oat bran
1 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3 mashed ripe bananas (approximately 1 1/2 cups)
1/4 cup low fat buttermilk
4 tablespoons room temperature butter
1 personal size container of no sugar added apple sauce (4oz or 3 tablespoons)
2 teaspoons vanilla
3/8 cup Splenda Sugar Blend for Baking
1 egg
1 cup walnut pieces

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Prepare 3 mini-loaf pans by spraying with non-stick baking spray.

Stir together flour, oat bran, baking soda, and baking powder. set aside.

Mash the bananas in a bowl. To the bananas add the buttermilk, butter, apple sauce, vanilla, Splenda Baking Blend, and the egg. Beat well with a mixer. Add the banana mixture to the flour mixture and blend until totally incorporated. Stir in the cup of walnuts. cook for 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted into middle comes out dry. Let cool and then wrap well.

Lisa said, "This recipe made 3 mini loaves and they were moist and wonderful tasting."

Each loaf should be cut into 6 slices and an appropriate WLS serving is one slice. Nutrition per slice: calories: 165, carbs, 22, sugar, 3.4 grams, protein 3 grams, fiber 1.7 grams.

Now the caveat for us all to remember. There is a danger with a baked good such as this to out-eat the pouch. A little banana bread, a little coffee, a little banana bread. See what I mean? We could easily have several slices without feeling it. We might say it's ok because the sugar content is low. This is still a high calorie processed carbohydrate. The bananas, walnuts, oats and buttermilk make it better than the average baked good, but it is still very high in calories. Take it slow and enjoy it, remember mindful eating in moderation is a one key to long term success.