Vegan Banana Bread
When you think of vegan eating, do you think of banana bread?
Typically the answer is no. You know that vegans don’t eat meat, but
there are other food products that they don’t eat. First and foremost,
it is a lifestyle that wants to protect animals from extinction. They
believe that killing animals for our consumption is cruel and
unnecessary, especially since there are food sources available that are
even better for our health. Vegetarians point to the Earth’s limited
resources and the progression of global warming as other humanitarian
reasons to follow a vegan diet.
The benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle are many. When animal products
are removed from the diet, there is lower level of saturated fat as well
as level of cholesterol. Vegetarianism raises carbohydrate levels,
dietary fiber, magnesium, potassium, folate and antioxidants such as
vitamins C and E. By the lowering of unhealthy factors and increasing of
healthy factor, it should be no surprise that level of disease has
dropped correspondingly. There are lower rates of death from ischemic
heart disease, lower blood pressure, lower rates of hypertension, lower
rates of type 2 diabetes and lower incidences of prostate and colon
cancer.
Vegan banana bread is considered such because it contains no animal
products whatsoever. This means that it contains no butter or milk.
Vegan recipes make some simple substitutions that still provide flavor
while providing the health benefits described before. Vegan soymilk is
used in replace of milk. Tofu is also used in recipes for vegan banana
bread. Tofu is comprised of soybean, water, and a curdling agent. It is
very high in protein and calcium. Tofu is very versatile in cooking
because it is able to absorb new favors easily. When you eat the vegan
banana bread, you will taste the banana more fully.
Healthy Vegan Banana Bread Recipe
Prep:20m
Cook:50m
Servings:8
Ingredients
- ---Dry ingredients:---
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- ---Wet ingredients:---
- 1 1/2 cups mashed overripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
- 3 oz. soft tofu
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup chopped nuts
- 1/3 cup raisins (optional)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Mix dry ingredients together.
- In a medium bowl, mash banana with a fork.
- Add the rest of the wet ingredients with the banana, mix.
- Pour liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients.
- Add nuts or raisins.
- Pour mixture into loaf pan and bake for about 50 minutes.
Vegan Banana Muffins
- 2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 large, very ripe bananas
- 1 ¼ cups applesauce
- 1 ½ cup dates
- ½ cup vegan soymilk
In large bowl, combine the flour,salt and baking powder.
In a blender, puree the bananas and dates; add the
applesauce and soymilk. Mix well. Pour the banana mixture
into the dry ingredients and stir until just moistened. Fill
muffin cups with the batter and bake at 350 degrees for 30
minutes or until lightly brown and firm. |
