This Is the Most Popular Grocery Item Sold on Instacart, New Data Says
Bananas are arguably the most beloved fruit in the produce aisle. With less than 100 calories each, these curved yellow delights are packed with nutrients and natural sweetness. They can help build lean muscle, support digestion, and even boost your mood!
While it can be confusing that bananas are berries and strawberries aren't, it hasn't hindered their massive popularity. In fact, over 100 billion bananas are eaten worldwide each year. And according to grocery retail service Instacart, bananas are the most popular item purchased through the service.
The versatility of bananas is unmatched—they can be eaten on their own, baked into sweet treats, used in smoothies, and more. But what may be even more interesting are all the other items people pick up when they add bananas to their online shopping cart.
Instacart's Trends Expert Laurentia Romaniuk says orders containing bananas also include foods that complement the most popular item on the platform. The company has a tool that gathers data revealing the top items that people buy when people buy bananas from the site. Here are the top five things, with the last item being the most frequent.
Raspberries
Easily one of the best toppings for a snack, breakfast, or dessert, this fruit is small but mighty, and shoppers really like getting some when they buy bananas. Raspberries are a low-calorie food that contains lots of fiber and antioxidants. In fact, raspberries contain the highest amount of dietary fiber.
When combined with bananas, this pairing packs a powerful punch full of healthy goodies that are great for the body. Both raspberries and bananas are perfect to mix into desserts like Healthy Instant Pot Mug Cakes in Mason Jars.
To get all the latest grocery news delivered right to your email inbox every day, sign up for our newsletter!
Hass Avocados
Another item that shoppers tend to purchase with their bananas is avocados. Out of the two types of avocados, Hass avocados are slightly different from their Florida avocado counterparts in terms of size and price. Hass avocados are often smaller, cheaper, and determining the ripeness of the fruit is easier than the Florida avocado, which could explain why they're often bought with bananas.
Both bananas and avocados are perfect for making smoothie bowls like this one thicker and creamier.
Blueberries
Studies show that blueberries are the best fruit to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Blueberries can also help to manage glucose levels, and support heart and brain health. When coupled with bananas, you've got yourself the perfect nutrient-dense snack, smoothie, or breakfast combo, like with the Banana Blueberry Steel Cut Oatmeal.
Honeycrisp Apples
Honeycrisp apples are appropriately named as they are more on the crisp and tart side, making them ideal for snacks, salads—and of course, apple pies! Shoppers have been found to add Honeycrisp apples to their shopping when they purchase bananas, Instacart's data shows.
Honeycrisp apples are also known to contain lots of fiber and can serve as an immunity booster. Both bananas and apples are also recommended fruits for The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet, or DASH diet, which promotes heart health and can decrease blood pressure.
Royal Gala Apples
Topping Instacart's lineup of items bought with bananas is this type of apple. Often found in fruit salad, smoothies, and desserts, this pairing may come as no surprise to the seasoned shopper.
Not only do apples and bananas make a great duo on the plate, but also carry a number of health benefits. Both fruits are even listed as some of the ultimate high-fiber fruits by WebMD. Did you know that apples and bananas can be incorporated into a chocolate cake? Check out our mini chocolate cakes recipe, along with more fruit-filled dessert ideas!
For more on this, read all about how Grocery Shoppers Buy These Items The Most With Peanut Butter, According to Data.
