I was wondering if anyone knows whether a child can consume too many bananas? I know too much potassium in adults can cause problems but what about children? Jacob is 14 months now and loves bananas and has at least 3 a day. We can not go by any bananas without Jacob throwing a fit (ie the grocery store / convenient store). He must have his bananas. I feel bad saying no because they are good for you so I usually give in. Thanks for all of your help!

By Tripletmom on Monday, June 5, 2006 - 06:49 pm:

I wish I could answer you but I don't know.My boys love bananas too!!

By Dawnk777 on Monday, June 5, 2006 - 07:10 pm:

With adults, if they are on a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill), then they can't eat too many bananas, because their body isn't getting rid of the potassium, like it usually does.

I think in a kid, it wouldn't matter so much.

By Marcia on Monday, June 5, 2006 - 07:15 pm:

Why don't you cut the one up into small pieces, and then offer it 3 times a day?

By Jackie on Monday, June 5, 2006 - 07:22 pm:

I only allow Faith One banana a day. THey can be constipating... and we do not need that around here LOL...

By Mrsheidi on Monday, June 5, 2006 - 09:03 pm:

As long as he's not constipated, I don't see why not. Sometimes kids just need certain things in their diet so maybe it's his way of telling you he needs more potassium? Just balance out the water along with it, if you can.

By Sandysmom on Monday, June 5, 2006 - 10:26 pm:

I guess it should be alright but I recall my sister eating too many tangerines and then having a reaction to them. Bring it up to his Dr. the next time you go. I have heard that if you crave a certain type of food all the time it could mean a deficiency that your body is try to compensate for. However, I crave chocolate all the time so what does that mean? LOL!

By Mommyflorida on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 09:38 pm:

I'm with the other moms concerned about constipation. Bananas are binding so as long as he's not getting backed up by them, I'd give him all the bananas he wants! But I would run it by the dr just to get his feedback.

By Kate on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 10:27 pm:

Why would bananas be constipating? I don't get it...it's a FRUIT...isn't that what doctors try to get us to eat to AVOID constipation? I've heard this about bananas before, but I don't understand it nor have I seen anything that backed up the theory. Any answers out there?

By Pamt on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 10:55 pm:

Bananas and apples are both potentially constipating because they contain pectin. Pectin is a "binder" and was originally used in Kaopectate which was/is an anti-diarrheal medicine. That's why bananas are part of the BRAT (bananas, rice, apples, toast) diet to control diarrhea.

By Dana on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 11:57 am:

For myself, my mother and my baby boy, they are anything BUT constipating. He has numerous poops when he eats them. Soft and easy. And lots of it! For that reason we can't do them all the time, but DS would love it if I did.

I've heard it is a constipator, but not in our family.

By Tink on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 12:57 pm:

You know, Kate made me curious so I went through a TON of links last night looking for the "Why?" and, apparently, bananas are the great equalizer! If you're stopped up, eat a banana since they are a good source of fiber and potassium, which helps with constipation. If you're having trouble with diarrhea, eat a banana since the pectin works as a binding agent. I did keep reading that bananas are constipating but it was often just one mother to another type of advice.