Plantains are good for you health

A 1-cup serving of cooked plantain slices supplies 16.8 milligrams of vitamin C, which is about 20 percent of your daily requirement. A serving of plantains provides 1.16 milligrams of niacin. You need between 14 and 16 milligrams of niacin each day to support the health of your nerves, skin and digestive system. The same serving of plantains contains small amounts of calcium, iron, magnesium, folate and vitamin K.

Tips

Replace potatoes with plantains in your favorite vegetable soup and stew recipes. Saute plantain slices as a healthy side dish that pairs well with barbecued meat or spicy tamales. Add cooked plantain slices to bean salads as another way to incorporate them into your diet. Arrange raw plantain slices on a baking sheet and brush them with canola oil. Sprinkle the slices with garlic powder and black pepper and roast them until they are crisp. The plantain chips are a nutritious alternative to potato chips. Serve the chips with fresh tomato salsa or black bean dip. Saute plantains until they are soft, drizzle them with honey and top them with a sprinkle of cinnamon for a healthy dessert.