Have you ever wondered about the nutritional Values of what you eat and its effects in your daily life? It has been proven by documented reports that most Nigerians eat food, but they are totally ignorant of its nutritional values specially the poor and average individuals. They are only concerned about its economic effect hence, when the food is cheap and affordable, they consume a large quantity of it in their daily meals. Below is a list of food every individual can take for all round nutritions. Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene. This is a precursor to vitamin A and also an antioxidant. It repairs as the skin and also reduces the risk of breast cancer.
Flax protects you from heart diseases, but please, don’t swallow the seeds. Just grind them and sprinkle the powder on your cereal.
Beans is highly nutritious. It is low in fat, easy to cook as well as cheap and affordable. It is rich in fibre and is good for both adults and children because everyone requires a daily intake of about 15-20 grams of fibre, and just a half cup serving of beans alone can provides as much as 5 grams of fibre Another important aspect of this delicacy is that one may decide to eat it with vegetable stew or as pudding (moi-moi), or as beans cake (akara) with some cereal.
Plantain contains a great deal of Iron especially when it’s unripe.
It reduces the risk of developing goiter a large swelling of the throat caused by disease of the Thyroid. To this same effect, red meat and poultries are also recommended, but without skin.
Vegetables provide us with vitamins B and C and as well as calcium. Of course, we all know the usefulness of vegetables as we were made to sing its benefits during our kinderga ten primary and even secondary school. What is so special about vegetables are loaded in folate.
Brocolli, another form of vegetable provides vitamin B, calcium and potassium while fish contains high proteins, low cholesterol, and also provides zinc, Iron, calcium vitamin B and magnesium. Please remember that water is very essential in the life of any living thing including human being. No wonder it is often said that water has no enemy according to Fela Anikulapokuti”, in one of his popular albums.
Water is more than essential to life and it is for healthy living. A lot of it will keep ones weight in check.
Food that enhances growth and general development include Beans, Brewer’s, yeast, lentils, eggs, milk, nuts, oats, peas (dry), peanuts, sesame seed, pumpkin seed, sun flower seed, to mention just a few. While foods for strength and energy include Bananas, Bread, Barley, Cereal, Desserts, fruits. Dates, Macaroni, melons, pop corn, raisins, rice, Tapioca, and the likes. These are mainly rich in carbohydrates.
According to Emerald Richards, “a portion of beans and a slice of good old sweet potatoes with a enough vegetables, skinned chicken drum stocks, and a tall, glass of water will make a good, balanced meal.
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