How to Stay Fit on Nigerian Diet

Staying fit doesn't mean stopping Nigerian foods,it simply means eating any kind of meal in the right portion. In trying to keep fit there are certain kinds of foods to eat ,foods that are high in protein and fibre and also contain lower calories.

Background Study

Most Nigerian foods are healthy and natural,but how we cook them and the portion we eat determines whether we stay fit or not.

Typical Nigerian meals are 

Carbohydrates: rice ,yam, futu,bread 

Proteins: eggs, fish,chicken, milk and beans

Vegetables: spinach, cabbage,garden egg and punki leaf

Fruits: orange, watermelon, Apples and Grapes.

Image source: bhaskah peddhapah photography 

Nigerian foods that help you stay healthy.

There are international foods that help one keep fit. Also there are Nigerian foods that can keep you healthy as well.

Nuts

Cashew nuts ,groundnuts have healthy fats but also should be eaten in little quantities.

Whole grains

Like brown rice , oats,they give long lasting energy.

Sweet potato and plantain 

Both are best suitable for weight loss when boiled or roasted.

Healthy soups

Soups like vegetables, okro are the best soups to stay fit especially when prepared with less oil and lots of fish.

Vegetables 

A must include in every meal to stay fit ugu,spinach, punk etc..

Image source: Wikipedia 

Important Tips for staying fit  on Nigeria foods 

Watch Portion size

Always eat in little portions that will help you stay fit because even when you eat healthy foods in large portions you tend to gain more weight.

Drink Enough Water 

Take at least 2 to 3 litres of water daily. It helps to lose weight and keep you fit too.

Avoid late Night food 

Stop eating or snacking late at night.  it is an unhealthy habit  you must eat your last meal of the day before or at most 6pm in order to stay fit.

Stay Active

Always exercise at least 2 to 3 times weekly and also walk and do stretches daily to keep fit and also decide to add gym to your lifestyle.

Ways to know your body is fit

You feel light and active

You have Good energy that is you are not easily fatigue 

You sleep well

Your clothing is always comfortable and doesn't feel tight.

A fit person

Image source: Wikipedia 

Budget friendly Nigerian tribal meals to stay fit.

There are budget friendly Nigerian meals to stay fit rather than using expensive weight loss teas. Natural means of losing weight is better than artificial. By this I mean people that take weight loss teas to lose weight, because with time these artificial teas just tend to cause weight reduction for the main time but thereafter the person starts to add up again and most artificial teas also have side effects.

     By natural I mean eating the right foods in the right portion and having exercises regularly to stay fit.

           Here are some combinations of tribal foods for staying fit.

Oha soup

This soup is majorly eaten by the igbo it is very healthy because it is low in fat and good for weight loss. It is combined with a swallow like fufu and garri but must be eaten in small portions but more of the soup.

Abacha + fish

Abacha is very good for weight loss especially when prepared with little oil and then combined with grilled fish preferably because it is high in protein and low in fats.

Efo riro + small Amala

Is majorly eaten by the yorubas it is good for weight loss because amala has low calories and efo riro known as vegetables is also good dieting.

Black soup + small poundo

Black soup is majorly eaten by the Edo,s 

It is very good for the body system and makes your body very light ,but must be eaten with a little portion of poundo or garri.

Masa + suya

Masa is a northern food made from rice so it must be eaten in little quantities to stay fit.

Image source:  from web

Afang Soup + wheat 

Is an Efik or ibibio food made of waterleaf,and afang leaves. It is very healthy and good for weight loss especially when prepared with less oil. It is best to be paired with wheat because it has low calories.

Image source: Wikipedia 

Akom soup + pounded yam

It is a Benue style vegetable soup made of fresh okra and lots of  vegetables with lots of fish and crayfish for it to be very healthy. It is very high in fiber and eaten with a little portion of pounded yam for weight loss..

Edikang Ikong soup (paired with (eba,fufu or wheat)

It is a calabar soup made from ugu and waterleaf, preferably made with fish rather than red meat because it is best for weight loss and eaten with little portion of swallow.

Rice with salad and vegetables 

If you must eat rice it must be paired with lots of salad and vegetables and lots of fish to stay fit.

Image source: from web 

Moi moi and pap

This should be eaten in little portions because it is good for weight loss and also contributes to weight gain when eaten in large portions. The pap should be taken with just milk and not sugar.

Foods for breakfast 

Are light foods taken in the morning to keep you active so you don't get weak during the day.

1 Fruits and salad 

2. Oatmeal can add milk or groundnuts 

3. Roasted potato and eggs in little quantity.

Roasted potatoes 

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Rules of staying fit.

If you really want to stay fit then you must follow these rules.

1.  Do not eat late  night food at most 6pm you should have had dinner for easy digestion

2.  Eat in little portions especially foods like rice and swallow, if possible to stop rice completely then it's best.

3. Reduce daily food intake generally 

If in a day you have breakfast at 9am your next meal for the day should be at 3pm in the afternoon. That should be all for the whole day if you really want to keep fit. It is possible to eat healthy food and still gain weight that is why portion control and timing is very important.

In Conclusion 

Eating healthy and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key to staying fit.

Eating healthy+ portion control+ regular exercise = staying fit.

These rules listed up here must be fully adhered to in order to keep fit.