Banana

fruits

Banana

8/ 10Excellent
Controversy: 6.4

Rated by 11 diets

6 approve3 caution2 avoid
Is Banana Healthy?

Yes — Banana is broadly considered healthy. 6 out of 11 diets approve it.

Nutrition Facts
Per 100g
Calories
89kcal
Protein
1.1g
Carbs
23g
Fat
0.3g
Fiber
2.6g
Sugar
12g
Sodium
1mg

Diet Ratings

Keto1/10AVOID

Medium banana contains ~27g net carbs, far exceeding keto limits. Extremely high sugar content makes ketosis impossible.

Vegan9/10APPROVED

Whole plant food with no animal products or derivatives. Excellent source of potassium and carbohydrates. Minimally processed.

Paleo8/10APPROVED

Whole fruit with natural availability. Good potassium source. Higher carbohydrate content acceptable for active individuals.

Mediterranean8/10APPROVED

Bananas are nutrient-dense fruits with potassium, vitamin B6, and resistant starch. While higher in natural sugars, they are whole foods without processing and fit Mediterranean principles well.

Carnivore1/10AVOID

Plant-derived fruit with high carbohydrate and sugar content. Explicitly excluded from all carnivore diet protocols.

Whole309/10APPROVED

Whole fruit with no added ingredients. Explicitly compliant with Whole30 guidelines as a natural, unprocessed fruit.

Low-FODMAP8/10APPROVED

Bananas are low-FODMAP at standard serving sizes (1 medium banana ~100g). Monash University confirms low FODMAP content with clear portion guidance.

DASH9/10APPROVED

Excellent DASH fruit. Outstanding potassium source (358mg per medium banana), critical for blood pressure regulation. Low sodium, supports cardiovascular health.

Zone5/10CAUTION

Higher glycemic index and carb density than other fruits. Zone-compatible only in controlled portions (half banana) paired with adequate protein and fat. Ripe bananas spike blood sugar more than green.

Contains resistant starch and some polyphenols, but higher in simple sugars and lower in antioxidants than berries. Acceptable in moderation, especially when less ripe. Potassium supports cardiovascular health.

iSome anti-inflammatory advocates minimize bananas due to higher sugar content and lower polyphenol density compared to berries. Dr. Weil's pyramid places them in moderation tier rather than emphasis tier.

GLP-1 Friendly5/10CAUTION

Moderate fiber (3g) and potassium, but higher sugar (27g per medium banana) and calorie density (105 cal). May cause blood sugar spikes. Portion-sensitive. Some GLP-1 patients tolerate well; others find it too sweet or heavy. Green/unripe bananas have lower sugar and higher resistant starch.

iSome GLP-1 specialists recommend bananas for potassium and resistant starch in unripe forms; others suggest limiting due to sugar content and calorie density relative to satiety benefit.

Controversy Index

Score range: 19/10. Higher controversy = more disagreement between diets.

Consensus6.4Divisive

Diet-Specific Tips for Banana

Vegan 9/10
  • whole fruit
  • no processing
  • plant-based
  • nutrient-dense
Paleo 8/10
  • Unprocessed whole fruit
  • High potassium content
  • Higher glycemic impact
Mediterranean 8/10
  • High potassium content
  • Resistant starch in unripe forms
  • Whole fruit with fiber
  • Moderate natural sugar
Whole30 9/10
  • Whole fruit
  • No added sugar
  • Unprocessed
Low-FODMAP 8/10
  • Low fructans
  • Low GOS
  • Low polyols
  • Standard serving 1 medium banana
DASH 9/10
  • Very high potassium
  • Low sodium
  • Good fiber source
  • Natural sugars
Zone 5/10
  • Higher glycemic index
  • Higher carb density
  • Ripeness affects glycemic response
  • Potassium-rich
  • moderate sugar content
  • potassium
  • resistant starch when green
  • lower antioxidant density
  • Moderate fiber
  • Higher sugar content
  • Calorie-dense
  • Good potassium source
  • Portion-dependent tolerance
Last reviewed: Our methodology
Is Banana Healthy? Diet Ratings & Controversy Score | FoodRef.ai