When you want to lose weight quickly, but want to do it in a healthy way, you need a personalized approach that will continue to work over time. It helps to know how to integrate the foods you love to eat, adapting a meal plan that you can stick to.

Bananas are one of the most popular fruits in the world. They are not only versatile and delicious, but also affordable and healthy.

Although they are the perfect breakfast ingredient, showing up in smoothies and cereal toppings, bananas are also popular in desserts. Their natural caramel flavor and rich texture make them a perfect ingredient for pudding.

Okay, banana pudding sounds a bit boring, but it can be a welcome treat that’s healthy too. Often times, it can be made from scratch in just a few minutes with ingredients you already have in your pantry.

Here are some recipes that breathe new life into this old favorite and also boost the nutrition factor. You will never have leftover bananas around the house with these desserts that you will surely like.

Spiced Banana Rice Pudding

A comfort food with a healthy twist, this simple dessert packs a powerful punch. Hot spices add flavor and antioxidants, while bananas and coconut provide potassium and fiber. Use leftover rice and plantains in one go.

Ingredients

* 1 cup whole grain basmati rice
* 2 cups of water
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 3 cups plus 1 tablespoon. milk, divided
* 1/3 cup light brown sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
* 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
* 1/2 cup of grated coconut
* 1 tablespoon. cornstarch
* 2 ripe bananas
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Addresses

1. Combine rice, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Stir once and reduce heat to low. Cook covered for 40 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.

2. Add 3 cups of milk, brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg, and bring the liquid to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Blend the cornstarch and the remaining tablespoon. milk in small bowl until smooth; add to pudding. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until mixture covers the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Keep away from heat.

4. Mash the bananas in a small bowl. Add the mashed bananas, coconut and vanilla to the pudding. Place in a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap touching the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming on top. Cool well. Serve with additional sliced ​​bananas, if desired.

Banana and ginger pudding

This quick and easy recipe is the perfect ending to a rustic meal. The sweetness of bananas combined with the satisfying crunch of gingerbread cookies make it an ideal dessert for when you need some comfort food after a long day.

Ingredients

* 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 2 1/2 cups of milk
* 1 can (14 oz.) Sweetened condensed milk
* 2 egg yolks, lightly beaten
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 3 ripe bananas, sliced
* 24 gingerbread cookies

Addresses

1. Combine the flour and salt in a medium saucepan. Gradually add the milk, sweetened condensed milk, and yolks. Stir constantly and cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until thickened. Keep away from heat; add the vanilla.

2. Place the banana slices, pudding, and gingerbread cookies in a large bowl or square baking dish. Repeat to make 3 layers.

Banana bread pudding

This decadent twist on a classic dessert will be a winner with your family. The warm, crisp exterior turns into a custard center, topped with a deliciously smooth sauce. This is the perfect use for stale bread and brown bananas.

Ingredients

* 4 cups of yesterday’s French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
* 1/4 cup butter, melted
* 3 eggs
* 2 cups of milk
* 1/2 cup of sugar
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground walnut
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 2 ripe bananas, cut into 1/4-inch pieces

sauce

* 3 tablespoons butter
* 2 tbsp. sugar
* 1 tablespoon. cornstarch
* 3/4 ​​cup milk
* 1/4 cup honey
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Addresses

1. Heat oven to 375F (190C). Grease a 9×9 square pan. Place bread cubes in skillet; for the butter and stir to coat. In a medium bowl, lightly beat the eggs, then add the milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add the bananas.

2. Mix over bread cubes and stir to coat.

3. Place a 2-inch rimmed baking sheet on the center oven rack. Place the pudding in the center of the pan and fill the outer pan with hot water. Bake, uncovered, 40 minutes, or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.

4. Make the sauce while the pudding is in the oven. Melt the butter in a small saucepan, then add the sugar and cornstarch. Add the milk and honey. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a full boil. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from the fire; add the vanilla. Pour sauce over warm pudding and serve immediately.

These recipe ideas are so delicious and good for you that after a bite, you’ll want to redo them once a week. You and your family will love coming home to the warm, sticky comfort of a banana pudding, and you’ll feel great serving something as healthy as it is satisfying.

Experiment with adding different fruits or changing the type of cookies you use. You can easily make individual servings with or without coconut or spices to suit all tastes.

Hope now you have a new inspiration on how to serve this amazing fruit.

Eat well,

David