Combine flour, white sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Mix together egg, milk, vegetable oil, and bananas in a second bowl. Stir flour mixture into banana mixture; batter will be slightly lumpy.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake.
Cook until pancakes are golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Serve hot.
Bananas are a soft, sweet, edible tropical fruit. They are elongated and curved and covered with a peel. When ripe, bananas are eaten raw as a dessert or snack. About 93% of its calories come from carbohydrates, while 75% is water. Botanically bananas are classified as a berry.
A medium banana is about 105 calories. With a GI index of 48, they are considered a low glycemic food, meaning bananas don’t cause high spikes in blood glucose levels.
What Are The Health Benefits of Bananas?
Bananas provide a quick energy boost due to their high natural carbohydrate content. Bananas contain Vitamin B6, which plays an important role in converting food to energy. The fiber in bananas helps to regulate blood sugar levels , providing a steady release of energy.
2 pounds yellow summer squash – halved, seeded, and sliced
1 onion, chopped
2 quarts vegetable broth
4 ounces plain yogurt
salt and pepper to taste
½ teaspoon lemon juice, or to taste
2 tablespoons minced fresh dill
DIRECTIONS
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and cook onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add yellow squash. Cook and stir until starting to soften, about 5 minutes. Pour in broth and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until soft, about 20 minutes.
Puree soup using a stick blender until smooth. Let cool to lukewarm. Stir in yogurt and season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Stir in dill and chill in the refrigerator at least 4 hours. Serve chilled.
Yellow squash is a type of summer squash that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, which also includes cucumbers, pumpkins, and melons. It’s typically harvested while still immature, which gives it a tender texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor. Yellow squash is commonly used in a variety of dishes, both cooked and raw.
Botanically, yellow squash is actually a fruit since it comes from a flower and contains seeds. Foods such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers are also considered fruits by botanists, but treated as vegetables in the kitchen.
What Are The Nutritional Benefits of Yellow Squash?
Yellow Squash is a nutritious vegetable, rich in vitamin C, fiber, vitamin B6, folate, beta-carotene, potassium, fiber, lutein, manganese, antioxidants, and low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Yellow squash is low in calories and has a low glycemic index of about 15. These factors makes it a popular choice for healthy cooking.
Nutritional Support and Healthy Aging
Yellow squash offers several nutritional benefits that support healthy aging, thanks to its content of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Here’s how it contributes to aging well.
Brain and cognitive health
Heart health
Eye health
Bone health
Muscle maintenance and metabolism
Immune support and cellular protection
Digestive health
How To Prepare Yellow Squash
Sautéed, grilled, roasted, or steamed.
Added to stir-fries, casseroles, soups, or salads.
You’ve likely heard the terms probiotics and prebiotics , but what do they really mean, and why do they matter more as you age?
Your digestive system is home to trillions of bacteria, many of which support digestion, immune function, and even mental clarity. Keeping those bacteria in balance becomes more important, and more challenging as you get older. The right foods can help you maintain a healthy, well-functioning digestive system.
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are live, beneficial bacteria that support a healthy balance in your digestive system . They help crowd out harmful bacteria and support digestion.
Probiotic Health Benefits
Helps prevent or ease constipation.
Reduce inflammation in the gut.
Boost the immune system.
May even improve mood and memory.
Best Probiotic Food Sources
Yogurt with live cultures
Kefir
Miso
Tempeh
Kimchi
Sauerkraut
Kombucha
Tip: Always check labels for phrases like “live and active cultures” to make sure you’re getting real probiotics.
What Are Prebiotics?
Prebiotics are a type of fiber your body can’t digest. Your good gut bacteria love to eat them. They act as “fuel” to help probiotics thrive.
Prebiotic Health Benefits
Helps probiotics multiply and stay active.
Supports better nutrient absorption.
Promotes regular bowel movements.
Improves calcium absorption and bone health.
Best Food Sources
Garlic
Onions
Leeks
Asparagus
Bananas
Oats
Apples
Barley
📝 Tip: You likely already eat some prebiotics without realizing it. Just aim to eat them more consistently.
Why You Need Probiotics & Prebiotics
Probiotics and prebiotics work best together, similar to a garden and fertilizer. You plant the good bacteria (probiotics), then feed them (prebiotics) so they grow and flourish.
This combo is sometimes referred to as “synbiotics.”
Easy Prebiotic and Probiotic Meal Pairings
Yogurt + banana
Oats + apples
Stir-fried tempeh + garlic and onions
Miso soup + mushrooms and green onions
Should You Take A Supplement?
Food is the best source for pre and probiotics. But a supplement can help if any of these reasons apply.
You’ve recently taken antibiotics.
You have ongoing digestive issues.
Your diet lacks variety.
What To Look For In A Supplement
Contains multiple strains, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
Contains at least 10 billion CFUs.
A label that ensures shelf stability or refrigeration.
📌 Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting new supplements.
Supporting your gut health in your 50s and beyond doesn’t need to be complicated. By focusing on prebiotic and probiotic rich foods, and understanding how they work, you can keep your digestive system strong, your immune system resilient, and your body feeling its best.
Ths article is for educational purposes only. It does not replace the advice of your healthcare practitioner.