By Kumar Da | Hopium Health
Elvis Presley, The King of Rock and Roll, had a voice like velvet and a sandwich like a freight train.
His favorite? A fried peanut butter and banana sandwich.
Sometimes with bacon. Sometimes buttered and griddled. Always decadent.
And while it may not show up in your local dietitian’s Top 10, it’s easy to see the appeal: sweet, salty, fatty, crispy—a comfort food power chord.
But here at Hopium Health, we believe you can honor the King without needing a cholesterol test after lunch.
So we’re rebooting the sandwich. Keeping the soul, upgrading the structure.
First, What Was in the Original Elvis Sandwich?
According to his personal chef and fans-turned-food historians, the classic version included:
- Soft white bread
- Peanut butter
- Sliced bananas
- Butter (lots of it)
- Fried in a pan like a grilled cheese
Sometimes it included:
- Bacon
- Honey
- A nap immediately afterward
No shame here—it was soulful, Southern, and a man’s honest craving.
But let’s be real: you can’t eat that on a Wednesday and expect to function.
The Hopium Upgrade
Here’s how we kept the vibe—and gave it a metabolic tune-up:
The Bread
Swap white bread for whole wheat sourdough
Why? It’s higher in fiber, easier on blood sugar, and supports your gut microbiome.
The Peanut Butter
Stick with natural peanut butter (just peanuts + salt)
Healthy fats + protein = satiety, brain fuel, and mood support.
Optional: Mix in a tiny bit of Greek yogurt to lighten texture and add probiotics.
The Banana
Keep it—but use firm, just-ripe bananas (less sugar spike than mushy ones)
Add a dash of cinnamon for blood sugar control and warmth.
The Cooking Method
No butter bath. Instead:
- Lightly toast in a pan with avocado oil spray, or
- Toast the bread and assemble the sandwich warm—no frying required
Optional Add-ons:
- A pinch of sea salt
- A sprinkle of crushed walnuts for omega-3s
- A drizzle of honey if your soul demands it
Why This Works (Nutrition Breakdown)
| Ingredient | What It Gives You |
|---|---|
| Sourdough bread | Gut health + stable energy |
| Peanut butter | Protein + healthy fat + magnesium |
| Banana | Potassium + slow-digesting carbs |
| Cinnamon | Blood sugar balance |
| Optional Greek yogurt | Probiotics + protein |
| Optional walnuts | Omega-3s for brain and mood |
You get:
- Long-lasting energy
- Mental clarity
- A serotonin nudge without the crash
- And nostalgia in every bite
Final Thought: Respect the King, But Feed Your Brain
Elvis was many things: a visionary, a romantic, a showman—and a man who felt things deeply.
This sandwich? It carries that energy. Just… with better glycemic balance.
So next time you crave something soulful, skip the fryer. Toast the sourdough. Slice the banana. Stir the peanut butter with reverence.
And sing quietly to yourself:
“Can’t help fallin’ in love… with this sandwich.”
— Kumar Da & the Hopium Health Remix Kitchen
