Secret About Popular Nigerian Foods
Do You Think You Eat Healthy?
What do we even eat this morning?
If you’ve never asked this question, then you didn't grow up in a typical African home.
It's always a twist of turns from yam, beans, bread, rice, swallows and rarely pasta.
Am I wrong? Especially those every sunday beans or moi-moi.
If you leave alone, the struggle becomes more real, I can attest to that fact.
I'm sure I’ve complained over 500 times about how limited Nigerians' food is. As there is little or no room for food exploration.
This Is Why We Are Here…
Do you know the nutrient percentage of the foods you eat daily? I doubt it.
Then, thank your stars and kiss your fingers for clicking on this link.
We mostly consume foods just to fill our belly, meanwhile, the nutrient your body derives from the food should be your priority.
But how do we know? Here is a general overview of the nutritional content of common foods (per 100 grams).
Rice: “the celebrity” contains 130-150 calories, total fat 0.3g, sodium 1mg, potassium 35mg, total carbohydrate 28-30g, dietary fiber 0.4g, protein 2.7g, folic acid, B vitamins, magnesium, selenium, fiber, iron and zinc.
Beans: “not really everyone's favorite” but a good source of plant-based protein (7-9g), dietary fiber(6-8g), fat (less than a gram), complex carbohydrates (20-25g), B vitamins antioxidants, phosphorus, potassium, iron and zinc. It contains 130-140 calories.
Semovita: “trying to fit in” a type of swallow food made from wheat. It primarily provides carbohydrates and few proteins. It doesn't contain significant amounts of vitamins or minerals unless fortified. It contains about 350-370 calories.
Yam flour: Commonly known as “elubo” or amala.” Its nutrients can vary based on processing methods and type of yam used.
It contains carbohydrates (80-85g), fiber (2-4g), protein (1-2g), very little fat, vitamins and minerals. It also contains about 350-400 calories.
Fufu : It’s a staple food made from starchy ingredients like cassava, yam or plantain. It is majorly composed of carbohydrates and small amounts of fiber, vitamin and minerals depending on the ingredient used. It contains 150- 200 calories.
Yam: “tuber of goodness” It contains 118 calories, carbohydrates(28g), fiber (4g), protein(1.5g), fat(0.2g), B vitamins, vitamin C and minerals.
Garri: “everyone’s favorite” it’s made from cassava tubers, contains 360-370 calories, rich in carbohydrates (80-85g) and other nutrients, very little protein, fiber and vitamins.
Cocoyam: It contains 112 calories, carbohydrate(26g), fiber (4g), protein(1.5g), fat(0.2g), B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, manganese, and copper.
Soups: like ogbono, jute leaves (ewedu), bitterleaf, okro, waterleaf and many other vegetable soups contain a very wide range of nutrients.
Though, it depends on the type of vegetable but they are generally packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber.
What Else?
Apart from the common foods listed above, there are more foods out there, “ask food geeks.”
Anyways, I’m sure you are not counting noodles or bread as one of them.
The above listed foods are enough to explore healthy food choices. For instance, yam and plantain porridge with vegetable soup.
Did I by chance arouse your hunger pangs? sorry about that🤗.
Never forget fruits, we have varieties of them. Eat fruits every meal, it's never too much.
How about proteins like chicken, turkey and fish, make them a bigger portion of your meal if possible.
Wrapping Up
Keep this diet information safe, it’s one of the secret hacks to a fulfilling long life.
Myself as an instance, I’m in the league of those that eat whatever comes.
When I did my research on these Nigerian foods I realized y’all also need to learn from this.
So next time you are in your kitchen ruminating on what to cook, think about these foods' nutritional value and go for a healthier choice.
Oops, I’m famished, let’s try some boiled plantain and fish stew😉.
Don't forget to eat well and stay healthy👍.