Who doesn't love bananas? Not only can they be eaten raw, some varieties can also be boiled, fried or slathered with caramelized sugar to make for a sweet dessert. They are a rich source of potassium, Vitamin C and fiber but have none of the sodium, fat or cholesterol. It's a great fruit to have around since it helps the body to defend and heal against infections and aids in the synthesis of the connective tissue.

It also facilitates better iron absorption essential to the formation of blood. The good news does not stop there, however. Bananas help build muscles and synthesize protein even as it reduces the risk of hypertension, stroke and other cardiovascular illnesses. Sucrose, fructose and glucose are present in bananas which gives individuals an added boost of energy. It also helps in the formation of antibodies in the immune system even as it enhances normal central nervous system functioning. And because no other fruit known to man contains more digestible carbohydrates than bananas, this is one of the best snacks to have around for those on the road to weight loss. Bananas are also great for settling an upset stomach.

While most everyone loves to eat a ripe banana as is, turning them into great smoothies is another alternative to making the most of this tropical fruit. Even overripe bananas can still be frozen to make great smoothies that your children will love.

Here are some delicious banana smoothies that you can make at home. While the fruit is already sweet on its own and rarely need sweeteners, you can still add a bit of sugar for added sweetness. You can also try honey or maple syrup instead of sugar. Feel free to add on and expand on this recipe by combining bananas with other fruits.

Very Basic Banana Smoothie

For this very simple smoothie, all you need is 1 ½ frozen bananas, some ice and 8 ounces of milk. Pour everything into a blender or smoothie maker and blend to the desired consistency. If you want a thicker smoothie, simply add more bananas to your mixture.

Basic Banana Smoothie

You will need one ripe banana (peeled and sliced in half), a cup of ice, a cup of milk, a tablespoon of sugar or 4-5 tablespoons of honey to sweeten, a cup of yogurt and half a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Put in the sugar or honey, milk, yogurt and ice into the blender or smoothie maker and blend well until no ice chunks remain. Add the banana and the vanilla extract and blend some more to the desired consistency. Pour in a tall glass and drink immediately.

Tropical Banana Smoothie

This recipe calls for guava juice. Try to find a low calorie one from your grocery store. The ingredients are 2 frozen bananas, one cup of guava juice, one cup of orange juice (preferably freshly squeezed), one cup lowfat vanilla yogurt and some ice cubes. Pour all ingredients into a blender or smoothie maker and blend until well done. Pour into a tall glass and serve!