<div itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/VideoObject"><meta itemprop="uploadDate" content="Thu Aug 18 2022 10:06:47 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)"/><meta itemprop="name" content="Eat your banana peels! Here&#39;s how to enjoy this extra nutrition"/><meta itemprop="description" content="Consuming banana peels is not only goo for you, but saves food waste from going to the landfill. Victoria Fenn Alvarado explains how you can get the most out of them."/><meta itemprop="duration" content="P0Y0M0DT0H0M58S" /><meta itemprop="thumbnailUrl" content="https://content.jwplatform.com/thumbs/23d1pWVn-1920.jpg"/><meta itemprop="contentUrl" content="https://content.jwplatform.com/videos/23d1pWVn-JXpetW4I.mp4"/><script src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/23d1pWVn-pF5qn7BW.js"></script></div>

Bananas - they’re loaded with potassium, fibre, and vitamins. And that’s just the fruit.

A [new study](https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.2c00159) has found banana peels are another source of nutrition - and they can be blanched, dried, ground up into flour, and added to baking.

Taste tests revealed cookies enriched with banana flour are more satisfying than treats baked with wheat flour.

They can also be seasoned and put in a slow cooker as a ‘[pulled pork](https://thestingyvegan.com/banana-peel-vegan-pulled-pork-sandwich/)’ substitute, or fried and transformed into a plant-based ‘[bacon](https://gardengrubblog.com/how-to-make-the-best-vegan-banana-peel-bacon/).’

If the study can inspire some people to divert their banana peels from the trash and compost, that’s good news.

Up to one-third of the world’s food goes to waste, according to the humanitarian organization the [World Food Programme](https://www.wfp.org/stories/5-facts-about-food-waste-and-hunger#:~:text=Here's%20what%20you%20need%20to,worth%20approximately%20US%241%20trillion.). Here in Canada, avoidable food waste costs every Canadian family an estimated [$1,300 a year](https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/recycling-organics-garbage/long-term-waste-strategy/waste-reduction/food-waste/).

![Copy of BANANAS (2)](//images.ctfassets.net/c55i45ef3o2a/5Pp48sNFF9yMHGDf1BesEn/7e3dc47050445b473aa9d0517161785a/Copy_of_BANANAS__2_.png)
*([Source](https://www.wfp.org/stories/5-facts-about-food-waste-and-hunger))*

Bananas are a commonly-wasted food item. A 2021 report by the [Chicago Tribune](https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-food-waste-20210409-3k3llled4fbmlp3nwhiej3o354-story.html) found out 5 billion bananas - peels and all - are thrown out in the U.S. alone each year.

When decomposing food ends up in landfills, it [releases methane](http://www.cec.org/flwy/food-waste-climate-change/#:~:text=When%20food%20ends%20up%20in,worst%20emitter%20of%20greenhouse%20gases.), a gas that is estimated to be 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide over 100 years.

Food waste also contaminates the ground and water.

Nova Scotia and PEI have banned food waste from landfills. Ontario has pledged [to do the same in 2022](https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/news/article/the-future-of-food-waste-disposal#:~:text=Despite%20the%20current%20but%20somewhat,to%20reduce%20overall%20food%20waste.).

__Watch the video above to learn more on how to reuse and eat those peels!__

*Thumbnail: Custom by Cheryl Santa Maria, made using graphical elements from Canva Pro.*

Don't throw out that banana peel! Study shows it can enhance baking

Travel

Reduce food waste and stretch your food bill by incorporating bananas into your food prep.

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