Are you someone who loves Nigerian food?
If so, then you’ve probably wondered if Nigerian food is good for your weight loss and overall health.
Generally, Nigerian food recipes primarily relies on whole, organic, minimally-processed foods made from scratch and minimizes the intake of processed, fat-rich, or sugary foods, which help to optimize your long-term health. Local diets in Sub-Saharan Africa are rich in dietary fibre, which is great for the heart, low in added sugar, fat and sodium.
Comprised of centuries’ old recipes and techniques from hundreds of ethnic groups, Nigerian food is packed with a plethora of colors, flavors, and ingredients. Rife with hearty staples and infused with many different herbs and spices, Nigerian cuisine is a feast for both the eyes and the stomach.
Here are three healthy indigenous Nigerian foods to include your diet.
Moin-Moin/Moi Moi
Moin Moin/Moi moi is a Nigerian beans pudding cake. It is made from beans, a healthy source of protein, fat, fibre and other nutrients. It is prepared by mixing ground beans with oil, onions, peppers, and other spices, and traditionally steamed inside a stock pot using leaves such as Uma/Ewe eran leaves (Thaumatococcus daniellii) or Banana leaves.
- Egg, fish, corned beef, crayfish and sardine are usually added to moin moin to make it more appetizing.
- Moin Moin is highly versatile and can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
- lowers blood pressure and aids weight loss. If you have attended a Nigerian event or dined at any Nigerian restaurants anywhere in the world, chances are that you have seen or tasted Moin Moin.
- Wazobia African Kitchen serves steaming, well-made, rich Moin Moin, and you should definitely consider adding it as a side meal with your next order.
It is usually eaten alone as a meal but also serves as a great accompaniment to a variety of meals and can be eaten with rice dishes, a side of Garri, bread, Agidi/Eko, pap, custard or oatmeal.
Moin Moin is an excellent source of antioxidants and its essential properties, including fiber, protein, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, copper, zinc, and selenium.
one of the B-vitamins the body relies on to produce red and white blood cells in the bone marrow. It improves blood circulation, boosts heart health, aids digestion, prevents anemia, improves bone and muscle health
Ofada Rice
Ofada Rice is a Nigerian favorite. Ofada is a variety of rice grown almost exclusively in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. It is a local, unpolished brown rice in its natural state and without any genetic modification.
- It has a rough surface, and contains essential minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and folate and a high fiber content, which helps in the reduction of the risk of bowel disorder and fights constipation.
- Ofada rice contains an appreciable amount of selenium which has been found to be effective in fighting colon and breast cancer.
- Ofada Rice is traditionally served wrapped in Uma/Ewe eran leaves (Thaumatococcus daniellii) or Banana leaves and eaten with Ayamase, a delicious fried pepper sauce made with a variety of meats, meat entrails and other condiments.
Unripe Plantain Pottage
Plantain Pottage is a variant of the popular Asaro (yam pottage). Plantain pottage can be prepared using ripe, unripe or semi ripe plantain. Unripe plantain pottage is prepared with unripe plantain although some people incorporate small amounts of ripe plantain to add some sweetness.
- Unripe plantain pottage is a delicious and healthy meal that is easy to make and recommended by nutritionists for many healthy diet plans. It is made with unripe plantains, a good source of essential nutrients like potassium, carbohydrates, vitamin c
- iron, rich in fibre, magnesium, calcium, vitamins A and B6, and more. It can also be combined with a variety of vegetables, meats and seafood. The health benefits of unripe plantain pottage include boosting the immune system, aiding digestion, providing the body with adequate energy,
- preventing anemia and controlling blood sugar (which makes it great for diabetic patients). Traditionalists recommend Unripe Plantain Pottage for pregnant women to boost the iron levels in their blood and it is often prepared for growing children.
