With the amount of carbohydrate food, we consume in Nigeria, it seems difficult not to gain weight. It’s even more difficult to lose weight. Despite what you think, Nigerian food can be used for weight loss.

Almost all our food contain carbohydrate and the average Nigerian is always searching for some diet plan, exercise plan or slim tea to help with weight loss.

The reason why you never end your weight loss journey is that you cannot maintain the weight loss methods you use.

Losing weight does not mean starving and restricting yourself from eating certain types of food. If you stop yourself from eating, you will lose weight, but you can’t keep that diet up forever.
Starving and restricting yourself from eating can lead to stomach ulcers and health complications. You have to learn to lose weight the right way and you can do that with our Nigerian food.

Nigerian Food To Help Your Weight Loss Journey

To lose weight, you have to burn more calories than you consume. The best class of food that can help you with that is protein.

Protein takes longer to digest than carbohydrates which means that you will remain full and satisfied for a long period. When you consume protein regularly, the effect is likely to stay permanent after you stop.
Food that contains fibre can also help you to manage your weight. The only way this would work is if most of your diet contain protein and fibre and if you eat them in the right quantity.

Let’s see some affordable Nigerian food that can help you lose weight.

Ofada Rice (Brown Rice)

If you love eating rice but you don’t want the weight, try ofada rice. It is rich in protein and low in carbohydrates. Eating this in place of white rice will eventually cause you to lose weight.
Keep in mind that ofada rice does not have some important nutrients that are in white rice. So, make sure that you have other healthy food in your diet to supplement.

Jollof Rice

It will be very painful if someone tells you that you can’t eat jollof rice because you are on a diet. I’m here to tell you that you can. If you make your jollof rice with brown rice or cauliflower rice, then you should be good to go.

Potatoes

Potatoes are rich in carbohydrates, but they are also rich in fibre. Food that contains fibre can keep you full and satisfied for a long period.

If you feel full for a long time, you won’t need to eat and you won’t gain weight. No need to starve yourself for the sake of weight loss. Potatoes also have high potassium content which prevents water retention and helps with weight loss.

The way you make your potatoes matter. If you only eat fried potatoes, you will gain weight. For potatoes to help with weight loss, you have to eat them boiled, baked, roasted or air fried

Oatmeal

Oatmeal has low calories and is rich in protein and fibre. It keeps you full for a long time thereby helping you manage your weight.

Aside from helping with weight loss, it has other benefits like lowering blood sugar levels, lowering the risk of colon cancer, helping prevent heart disease and easing constipation.

You can have oatmeal for breakfast.

Beans

Beans are a popular meal in Nigeria. It is rich in protein and fibre and as a result, helps with weight loss by keeping you full for a long time.

Beans have other benefits like controlling diabetes and improving your heart health. You can eat beans in form of Moi Moi and add other proteins like egg and fish in it.

Egg

Eggs are low in calories and high in protein. It keeps you satisfied for a while. You can add eggs to your breakfast to support weight loss.

Peppered goat meat (Asun)

It may be surprising, but goat meat (Asun) can actually help you manage your weight. They are low in carbohydrate unlike regular beef.

Vegetable Soup

Vegetable soup is a very healthy Nigerian soup. It can help you on your weight loss journey. You can use any type of vegetable (ugwu, bitter leaf etc.) for the soup.

Okro Soup

Okro has low-calorie content and is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibre. It is good for weight loss because it keeps you full and satisfied for a long time.

Yam

Yam is rich in fibre which keeps you full and satisfied for a long time.

Fruits

Your weight loss diet isn’t complete without fruits. Fruits are natural, taste good and keep you full for a long time. You can use them as a substitute for sweet foods that can increase your weight

Green Tea

Research shows that green tea can burn fat and improve metabolism. That’s why you see most fat-burning supplements having green tea as part of their ingredient.

A cup of green tea a day is fine, but you can have more. Be careful not to abuse it especially when you have a sensitive stomach. It can end up being problematic.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is low in calories which means it’s perfect for weight gain. You should only take 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar a day. Taking more than 2 spoons a day will decrease your potassium level to a harmful state.

If you are taking any medication, make sure you speak to your doctor before taking this drink. It may interact with a medication you are taking.

Skimmed Milk

Skimmed milk contains fat of less than 0.5% and it is low in calories. Taking skimmed milk instead of regular milk will help you lose some weight.

You can see that all the food mentioned are either high in protein and fibre or have both. This is because protein and fibre help you lose weight by keeping you full and satisfied for a long time. If you are satisfied, you won’t have the urge to eat more than you should.

When you incorporate protein and fibre into your diet, the effect becomes permanent after a while. You will be able to manage your weight as desired.

You don’t have to starve yourself. Eat your favourite Nigerian food as much as you want the right way.

FAQ

Q. Which Nigerian food is best for weight loss?
Ans: There is no specific Nigerian food that is best for weight loss. If majority of your diet contains protein and fibre and they are eaten in the right quantity, it will help manage your weight.
Q. How to lose weight fast with Nigerian food?
Ans: You can lose weight fast with Nigerian food by eating food that contains protein and fibre and eating them in the right proportion.
Q. What can I drink to lose weight in Nigeria?
Ans: You can drink green tea and apple cider vinegar to help with weight loss.