How To Incorporate Nigerian Cuisine In A Modern Diet
Nigerian cuisine is a vibrant blend of flavors, colors, and spices from diverse communities in the country. Nigerian food is well-known globally for its richness in taste and variety, and a modern diet should incorporate this fantastic cuisine. Infusing Nigerian dishes into a contemporary diet can provide a balance of nutrients and flavors to meet the body’s nutritional requirements. Here’s a guide on how to incorporate Nigerian cuisine in a modern diet.
Plan Your Meals
Planning is the first step to incorporating Nigerian cuisine into your diet. A well-planned meal incorporating Nigerian food into your diet gives your body the energy it needs and helps you gain a balanced diet. Start by researching Nigerian recipes that appeal to your taste buds and nutrition needs. Consider making a meal plan with a variety of dishes like jollof rice, moi-moi, efo riro, and suya.
Substitute with Nigerian Ingredients
To make a Nigerian meal, you may need to know what ingredients are available, so you don’t substitute with whatever is easily accessible in your location. Consider grocery stores that specialize in international foods or online stores that have Nigerian products. Alternatively, you can substitute these ingredients with what is readily available to you. For example, instead of using dende oil to make stew, you can use palm oil or any cooking oil.
Incorporate Nigerian Spices
Nigerian food is not only about the flavors but also the vibrant colors that come from the spices used. Nigerian spices like curry, thyme, and turmeric, and ginger, are not only tasty but also offer several health benefits. Incorporate Nigerian spices like crayfish, bay leaves, utazi, scent leaves, and ogiri into your meals. These spices provide a mix of bitter and sweet flavors that make Nigerian food unique.
Add Variety to Your Diet
Incorporating Nigerian food into your diet is an excellent way to add variety to your meals. Nigerian cuisine provides a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables. Hence, adding Nigerian food options to your diet provides diversity in your nutrient intake. Instead of just sticking with the same boring foods every day, add Nigerian soups, stews, and rice dishes to your meals.
Be Adventurous
Trying out new Nigerian recipes can be daunting, especially if you’re not familiar with the ingredients or cooking methods. However, being adventurous is the only way to achieve the Nigerian culinary experience. Nigerian music, art, and movies showcase Nigerian culture, but Nigerian food is an indispensable part of the Nigerian experience. You could start by trying out a Nigerian restaurant and sample their dishes or get friends together to cook Nigerian dishes.
Consume Balanced Nigerian Meals
Like any other cuisine, Nigerian meals can also be unhealthy if consumed in excess or consumed without balance. It is essential to keep in mind the number of calories and nutrients that a Nigerian meal contains. Nigerian dishes are usually large portions, and you may need to adjust your portions to keep your dietary goals in check. Include balanced food groups and adjust accordingly with your dietary needs.
Conclusion
Incorporating Nigerian cuisine into a modern diet is a splendid way of introducing variety and flavor to your meals. Exploring Nigerian food provides a chance to explore the unique blend of flavors, spices, and foods from diverse communities in Nigeria. Incorporating Nigerian food into your diet is easy and requires planning, research, and being adventurous when trying out new dishes. When balanced with other nutrient-rich foods, Nigerian cuisine provides a balanced diet that meets dietary requirements.
References
Chy Anegbu. (2015). Ultimate Nigerian Cookbook. CreateSpace.
Chy Anegbu. (2017). Begginner’s Guide to Nigerian Cooking — Nigerian Cookbook. Createspace Independent Publishing Platform.
Rock, G. (2017). The Nigerian Cookbook. Createspace Independent Publishing Platform.
