It is possible to achieve weight loss in Nigeria eating Rice and Beans as opposed to what many other nutrition gurus will tell you. During my weight loss journey, one thing I knew is that I didn’t want to starve or stop eating my regular Nigerian foods. I wanted this journey to be sustainable; to still enjoy the meals I grew up with, but in healthier portions and combinations. The only difference I made was to vary what I eat the rice and beans with.
Before my weight loss in Nigeria journey started, it was only going to be fried tomatoes stew with fried protein. My God! I enjoyed this meal a lot. But when I found out how much calories could be in a scoop of my regular tomatoes stew, I decided to try cabbage sauce (with no oil) instead. At first it tasted strange, but I soon started liking it. So what I do is just vary it. If I eat my delicious fried tomato stew this week, next week it’ll be my cabbage sauce. Sometimes, it’ll be one month of cabbage sauce, and 2 weeks of fried tomato stew. This is how I now eat to manage my daily calorie intake.
Another important thing to note is that this combination is most times my lunch and this is because it is filling and a good weight loss meal. Also because I generally avoid heavy meals for dinner.
What’s in My Plate?
- 350–450g of rice and beans
I mix my rice with beans for extra fiber and protein, which keeps me fuller for longer. - Homemade cabbage sauce
I combine cabbage with carrots, ugwu, onions, and pepper. No oil. Sometimes I add cucumber for crunch. It’s flavorful, low in calories, and adds bulk to my meal. - Lean protein
I boil my chicken or other protein with spices, and then turn my vegetables into the pot and steam for a while.
Why This Meal Works For Weight Loss In Nigeria
- Portion control: Rice and Beans is high in calories, that’s why I started avoiding tomatoes stew. It’s also easy to over eat, and that’s why I make sure I don’t eat more than 450g of the combination.
- Balanced macros: It combines carbs (rice), protein (beans, chicken/egg), and fiber (cabbage). This is a very good balanced diet for weight loss in Nigeria. It is also very nutritious.
- Familiar and affordable: No need to search for special ingredients or foreign recipes. It’s readily available wherever I find myself. And I’m sure you also have access to it.
Conclusion
Once again, weight loss in Nigeria doesn’t have to mean giving up your favorite meals. It’s about making smarter choices. For me, rice and beans with cabbage sauce is one of those smart choices I made. It fuels me, satisfies me, and still keeps me on track.
Would you be adding this to your diet? Let me know in the comment section
