Healthy Eating in Nigeria: Local Foods That Boost Wellness Naturally

At Elite Figures, we understand that most healthy eating advice is designed for Western diets, leaving many Nigerians wondering how to nourish themselves and support weight loss. As a proudly Nigerian wellness brand - we’ve got you! This guide offers practical nutrition tips that work seamlessly with Nigerian local foods, so you can enjoy better health, while staying rooted in the flavors and traditions you love.

TL;DR: No time to read? Head straight to our online store for our own rage of wholesome, energy -packed foods and drinks, which support weight loss.

🍽️ Eat Small Regular Meals

Eat smaller, regular meals throughout the day and reduce or avoid empty calories such as sugary snacks or highly processed foods. This helps stabilize blood sugar levels, curb cravings, and support steady energy and metabolism.

🍋 Make Lemons

Start your morning with warm water and the juice of a quarter to one-third of a lemon.

This simple ritual can support hydration, kickstart digestion and provide a natural dose of vitamin c, which has benefits for your skin and immune system.

🦠 Gut Microbiome

Support your gut microbiome by including probiotic-rich fermented foods such as pap (ogi), garri (with cold water to maintain the probiotic benefits) and kunu (fermented millet). Alternatively, kefir, sauerkraut, fermented cucumbers, tempeh, and natural kombucha might suit your palate. If these are unavailable, consider fermenting your own vegetables or supplementing with a high quality probiotic, ask a pharmacist or healthcare provider for recommendations.

💪 Complete Proteins

If you follow a vegan or strictly vegetarian diet, ensure you get all of the essential amino acids by combining incomplete protein foods like:

• Pairing nuts or seeds with legumes like chickpeas, brown beans (ewa) or honey beans (oloyin). For example, akara (bean cake) with groundnut🥜➕🫘

• Pairing whole grains with legumes, for example, moi moi and pap, or rice and beans 🍚➕🫘

These combinations don’t need to be eaten in the same meal, just within the same day to meet your amino acid needs.

💧 Stay Hydrated

Water plays a vital role in nearly every metabolic process in the body, including fat burning and digestion. It helps regulate appetite, reduce water retention, and even boost energy levels during workouts. Aim to maintain good hydration on a daily basis. A simple way to monitor your hydration is by checking your urine colour - it should be pale yellow.

If you exercise regularly or live in a hot or humid climate, your water needs may be higher than average. Listen to your body and make sure you're drinking enough to stay hydrated.

🧬 Hormonal Balance

If you’re following these tips but still struggling to lose weight, consider checking your hormone levels. Imbalances in thyroid, insulin, cortisol, or sex hormones can significantly affect your metabolism and make weight loss more challenging.

⚖️ Balanced Nutrition

If you would like a refresher on balanced nutrition, we recommend USDA MyPlate developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate. These are two reliable, evidence-based, and inclusive frameworks to guide balanced, daily nutrition.

🛒 Would you like a helping hand?

Healthy nutrition, fresh from our kitchen, direct to your door

At Elite Figures, our philosophy is simple, no concern should become a problem. When our clients needed convenient, nutrient-rich options to support weight loss, workouts and everyday vitality, we developed our own line of wholesome, energy-packed foods and drinks.

From optimal nutrition drinks, to probiotic pots and collagen-infused granola, every product is crafted with high-quality ingredients and backed by our commitment to functional wellness.

Discover our Healthy Foods Store in Lagos, Nigeria.

Shop