theveganbeauty

A guest post from Andrea De La Flor from The Vegan Fit Guide.

Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day but not every day I get to sit down and enjoy it without worrying about my to-do list.

On the weekends, however, I like to take the time and make it extra special. This recipe is one of my favourites to make any breakfast memorable and these Banana Pancakes are not only delicious but also super healthy so I can enjoy them without guilt.

Jump to:

Are these Banana Pancakes really healthy?

Pancakes are usually not a synonym for healthy foods but this recipe is made with oats,
bananas and almond milk as its main ingredients so is almost the same as eating some
oatmeal topped with bananas or even a banana-oats smoothie.

They are also high in protein and low in calories so they will keep you full for long and
help you avoid mid-morning cravings.

Do these really taste like Pancakes?

While these Banana Pancakes taste amazing and are the perfect alternative to regular
(not so healthy) pancakes, they also don’t taste exactly the same.

But that doesn’t mean they are less delicious. They have a sweet, oaty flavour and they
definitely taste like bananas as well, so if you’re not a fan of that flavour, this recipe might not be the best for you.

But you can add your favourite toppings and customize them to your liking. A pinch of baking powder will make them fluffier, and a bit of vanilla or honey will help round out the flavour.

Why are these pancakes healthy and weight loss friendly?

Compared to regular pancakes that are made with white flour, eggs and butter, these pancakes use healthier ingredients that provide many health benefits and at the same time, are low in calories and are perfect for those trying to lose weight.

Here are the main ingredients of this recipe and their benefits;

Oats

Instead of using wheat flour like regular pancakes, this recipe uses oats that are high
in fibre and protein. This will keep you feeling fuller longer while helping you control your weight.

Carbs often get a bad reputation but it is the most efficient source of energy for your
body and brain so you just need to know which ones to avoid and which ones to keep in your diet.

Whole grains like oats can satisfy your hunger while providing a source of stable energy that won’t cause a “crash” like processed carbs and sugar do.

Oats also are a great source of both soluble and insoluble fibre which help to lower
cholesterol, stabilize blood glucose levels and improve intestinal health.

Bananas

The other main ingredients in this recipe is bananas which are not less impressive when
it comes to their health and weight loss benefits.

Bananas are a good source of magnesium which does not only help to build lean
muscle mass but also helps boost lipolysis, a process by which your body releases fat
from its stores. Additionally, bananas have 12 mg of choline which is a B vitamin that
acts directly on the genes that cause fat storage in the abdomen.

Bananas also support a good mood since they help serotonin, the feel-good chemical,
enter your brain faster. Having an overall good mood is essential to stick with your diet
and stay focused on your goals.

And if that doesn’t seem enough, bananas can also help you look less bloated by
fighting back against gas and water retention.

Almond milk

Almond milk is a tasty, nutritious alternative to animal milk and offers many important
health benefits.

Compared to animal milk, unsweetened almond milk is low in sugars, carbohydrates
and calories. It has 60% to 80% fewer calories than dairy milk and is great for people
who want to cut calories and lose weight.

You don’t have to worry about calcium since most commercial brands of almond
milk is fortified with it so it will also help keep your bones strong and can help avoid
osteoporosis.

Keep in mind that sweetened varieties of almond milk can be much higher in calories
since they contain added sugars so it is best to go for the unsweetened kind to keep the recipe’s low in calories.

Eating these pancakes on Slimming World

If you are a Slimming World follower and are wondering how many syns this recipe is then don’t panic I have a full breakdown for you here.

Syns for bananas should be counted if they are pureed or blended. Bananas cooked in a recipe such as this are 4 syns per 100g. Of course, the choice is yours whether you count these. Some people do not as they say that a banana is mashed up when you eat it anyway and is part of a meal so what is the harm? Others prefer to follow the Slimming World plan to the letter and syn it. The choice of course is yours!

Baking powder is syns on Slimming World at half a syn per teaspoon. So for this recipe and 2 teaspoons of baking powder we should count 1 syn.

Cinnamon is syn free so you do not need to count syns for this.

Oats can be counted as your healthy extra b choice if you have 40g. This recipe uses 80g so you can count it as either 14 syns for the recipe or 7 syns and one healthy extra b choice.

Almond milk can be counted as part of your healthy extra a choice. If you choose to do that then the amount in this recipe is a small part of that allowance and as such would not need to be counted as syns. Check the healthy extra a allowance for almond milk here. If you need to syn the almond milk the syns will vary depending on the brand used but for unsweetened almond milk the whole recipe is between half and one syn.

What toppings should you add?

These pancakes are super customizable and you can add any toppings of your preference but in order to keep them healthy here are some alternatives you can consider.

Fresh fruit is one of the easiest and healthiest pancake toppings there are. They provide unlimited options and flavour while adding an extra layer of nutrients.

Berries are one of the best alternatives since they are low in calories and high in antioxidants and vitamins.

Other healthy pancake toppings include seeds, coconut flakes. dark chocolate chips,
nuts and nut butters. These are higher in calories so make sure to add them in
moderation.

Finally, a sugar-free syrup can make your pancakes even more delicious without adding
too many calories.

Print

Recipe