Today, I am featuring an esteemed health blogger and writer from Nigeria!

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Can Nigerian Foods Help You Lose Weight?

By: Collins Nwokolo

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One important factor in losing weight is your diet. What you eat can immensely play a role in how much weight you lose. There is a smorgasbord of different foods around the world which are far healthier than the average American diet and can help you lose weight.

One of such is the Nigerian foods. Can Nigerian foods help you lose weight? And what are some of the best Nigerian foods for weight loss? 

 

The Typical Nigerian Diet

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The traditional Nigerian diet is typically made up of whole foods like leafy vegetables, fruits, beans, meat, nuts, and fish, with leafy greens like bitterleaf, pumpkin leaves, scent leaf, and spinach making up most of the soups. Although a lot of popular Nigerian foods are high in carbohydrates, some foods are highly nutritious and can help you shed some pounds.

The common Nigerian soups such as egusi, okro, and edikang ikong are made up seeds and vegetables.

Most of the staple foods used to eat the soups are usually made from grains, cereals, starchy roots, and vegetables. They are called 'swallows' because they are made into paste, dipped in the soup made swallowed.

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The average Nigerian diet is high in fiber and includes the adequate ingredients for a weight loss meal plan.

Most of the local Nigerian drinks are made from plant-based protein such as tigernut milk, kunu, and zobo. Dairy is also common among most Nigerians.

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Additionally, many traditional Nigerian dishes are made with delicious mashes of sweet potatoes, yams, tomatoes, beans, and onions, as well as spicy sauces. Fish, seafood, and meat are eaten most as a source of protein.

Finally, the average Nigerian snack is rich in proteins. Common snacks like Moin moin, akara, okpa (bambara nut pudding), and bean pie are high in protein.

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As you can see, the traditional Nigerian diet is a bit different from the average American diet, which is usually high in fats, processed meats, canned foods, and cheese. However, the Nigerian diet is made up of proteins, nuts, fresh fruits, and vegetables. It is also high in fiber, which can help you lose weight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some Nigerian foods that can help you lose weight:

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Ewedu soup

Okro soup

Okpa

Abacha (African salad)

Egusi soup

Tigernut milk

Moin moin

Vegetable soup

Garden eggs

 

How to lose weight with Nigerian food

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Eat in moderation

It's important that you eat Nigerian foods in moderation, especially staple foods like eba, fufu, and soups.

 

Eat less oily foods

Palm oil is often used in many Nigerian dishes and it contains high levels of saturated fat. This, you need to eat it in moderation. Fried foods like akara and dodo should be eaten less.

 

Eat more fish and goat meat

A lot of Nigerian foods are cooked using red meat or beef. However, it's better to go for those prepared with goat meat or fish. Goat meat has fewer calories than red meat.

 

Eat Nigerian snacks

There so many Nigerian snacks with few calories and much-needed protein. They include snacks such as moin moin, okpa, groundnut paste, and bean pie.

 

Drink local Nigerian drinks

There are also some delicious local Nigerian drinks you can eat joy. Drinks such as kunu, zobo, fura da nono, tiger nut milk, and soya milk are all packed with nutrients.

 

AUTHOR'S BIO:

Collins Nwokolo is a top health blogger and writer from Nigeria. He is a human physiologist and has been creating helpful content on the internet for many years. He writes for You Must Get Healthy and Health Guide NG, two popular health and fitness blogs in Nigeria.

Follow him on Twitter @collincaspian