Do you wish you could lose weight without having to give up on your favourite Nigerian meals? The Nigerian foods for weight loss discussed in this guide can give you the exact results you desire without depriving you of anything you love.
Weight loss is not starving; you can do it healthily by eating your favourite dishes. All you have to do is find out which food is right for you, and fortunately, we will be discussing 10 amazing Nigerian foods for weight loss that you can include in your diet.
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10 Amazing Nigerian Foods for Weight Loss
1. Pepper Soup
One way to maintain a healthy weight is by adding pepper soup to your diet, it is a fantastic food, and Nigeria has a variety of them. Pepper soup is usually prepared with several herbs and spices, which provide antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds to the body. The high water content in pepper soup will also help you feel fuller for longer.
2. Okra Soup
Okra is a vegetable used to make soup in Nigeria, it is excellent for regulating bowel function, and it encourages the growth of bacteria in the stomach. This can help reduce and control weight in a healthy way to a large extent.
Okra is also significant for regulating high cholesterol and blood sugar levels, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease and diabetes. However, do not forget that you are not supposed to add too much oil to your okra soup so you can get your desired result.
3. Beans/ Moimoi/ Ewagoyin/ Akara
Beans are one of the most popular and delicious Nigerian foods, so many people love them, and they can be used to make different types of meals like akara, ewa agoyin, and moi-moi.
In addition, there are so many foods you can pair beans with; they are high in iron, vitamins, and fibre, and eating beans have been associated with lower waist circumference and reduced general body fat.
Beans are also a good replacement for meat in your meals; they are cheap and make you feel fuller for longer.
4. Eggs
Eggs are one of the very common Nigerian foods for weight loss; they are high in necessary nutrients like vitamins, healthy fat, and proteins. The high protein content and healthy fat will help you stay full for long after eating.
Eggs are also low in calories, so they can significantly promote weight loss. The best part is that there are so many ways to eat eggs, and you can combine them with other Nigerian foods to make great meals.
5. Steamed Fish
Fish is a favourite to many Nigerians; it has great taste and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, iodine, and protein. There are also different types of fish you can choose from with different flavours and nutritional contents, but they are all good for weight loss. The high level of omega-3 fatty acids in fish aids weight loss and reduces inflammation.
To get the most out of fish for weight loss, choose fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, sardine, and trout for your meals. In addition, when consuming fish during your weight loss journey, ensure you eat more steamed or grilled fish instead of fried fishes, which can add more calories and fat to your diet.
6. Nuts
Nuts can be very healthy for weight loss, and if you are the type that loves to snack between meals, nuts are the best options for you; they are very high in proteins, healthy fats, and fibre which aids bowel movement and makes you feel full.
The fantastic thing about nuts is that you can eat them raw, make smoothies or cook them for certain delicacies. Examples of Nigerian nuts that are good for weight loss are tiger nuts, cashew nuts, kola nuts, walnuts, almonds, and peanuts.
7. Vegetables
Vegetables are considered very effective for weight loss, and there are many of them in Nigeria. They are low-carb foods and still contain many significant nutritional benefits that play a crucial role in improving overall health and aiding weight loss. In addition, the high amount of fibre in these vegetables also helps curb appetite, thereby reducing the urge to overeat.
Vegetables reduce bloating, aid digestion, and increase detoxification. Some vegetables you can include in your diet for weight loss in Nigeria are lettuce, ewedu, bitter leaf, cabbage, pumpkin, carrots, onion, broccoli, etc.
8. Keto Native Jollof Rice
Native jollof rice is one of Nigeria’s most delicious meals made with cauliflower for a low-carb option. However, it doesn’t change its delectable taste and nutritional benefits as it is made with other ingredients such as palm oil, locust beans, spices, and smoked catfish. The meal is popularly called palm oil rice or local jollof rice in Nigeria.
9. Fruits
Fruits are amazing for weight loss; they are very low in calories and rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Some fruits, like avocados, can shrink belly fat due to the high monosaturated fatty acids they contain.
Fruits contain natural sugars, which are far better than processed sugars; their high fibre content also increases satiety, and aside from weight loss, fruits have many health benefits to offer you. Fortunately, Nigeria has so many fruits you can add to your diet for weight loss. Some include watermelon, apples, avocados, bananas, cucumber, grapefruit berries, etc.
10. Herbs and Spices
Spices and herbs are excellent sources of antioxidants; they add rich flavours to food and special nutrients that can help burn fat. Some common spices and herbs in Nigeria include turmeric, saffron, nutmeg, black pepper, cumin, cinnamon, chillies, cloves, etc.
There are some of them that can be added to meals and others that can be used to make weight loss drinks to boost your metabolism and aid weight loss.
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Nigerian foods are awesome for weight loss; they are nutritious, inexpensive, easy to prepare, and always available all year round. Some of the best Nigerian foods for weight loss have been discussed in this guide, and if you follow it, you will get sustainable results.
In addition, you can make a small garden to get fresh food, vegetables, and fruits to reduce costs and get involved in some physical activities that also aid weight loss.
