Everywhere you go, all you see are ways of losing weight or keeping fit through food, exercise, or just general healthy living. But we know that there aren’t just people trying to lose weight. There are actually a number of people out there trying to gain weight, and with Nigerian foods too! I am talking about the people that can eat a mountain and never seem to have that belly pouch the rest of us carry.
You are probably thinking, what a lucky bunch. Well, do not be so quick to put on your green glasses. Not every thin person likes being that way, some want to get all big and chubby. Yes, different strokes, huh? So, how can they do this?
To begin with, genes have a role in your ability to lose or gain weight. Also, you should not eat just anything to gain that weight, you can eat healthy while at it. The first rule is to take away low-calorie food from your diet and focus on healthy high-calorie foods. Here are five Nigerian foods that can help you gain weight:
Swallow
Swallows like eba, pounded yam, fufu are high in calorie and contain nutrients. Eba for example has high carbohydrate content which makes it a good source of energy. It is also rich in sodium, magnesium, potassium, and dietary fiber. Take your swallow with any of the delicious Nigerian soups available and have beef or chicken to go with it and you are good to go.
Rice
This is great news as rice is a staple food in most households. Rice is a great source for your carbohydrate and calorie intake. You can eat it with beans, meat, fish, chicken eggs, as they also help with weight gain.
Tubers
Yam and potato are high in carbohydrates and have many health benefits. They are also high in calories and are already a part of our diet in Nigeria. The great thing is that you can eat them in different ways. Boil and eat with sauce, roast, pound into a swallow, make into porridge, fry with heathy oil for snacking, anyhow you like it.
Fruits
There are many fruits that are high in calories and suitable for weight gain. Banana, mango, coconut, avocado (yes, and you have to start liking it) are examples of such fruits. You could snack on them fresh or make them into high-calorie smoothies. You could also explore dried fruits which are energy-dense and can be easily carried around.
Snacks
One important rule with weight gain is to eat more and snacking is an easy way to do this. Snack on calorie dense nuts like cashew nuts, almond nuts, groundnuts, tigernuts. They are a great source of nutrients and are loaded with antioxidants.
You could also snack on plantain chips, chinchin, peanut butter, granola bars, and even akara. The great thing about these snacks is that they are available at every corner, cheap, and can be carried around. This means there is no excuse to not eat.
Your weight gain journey is valid
If you are one of the people this article is referring to, then do not be afraid to go all out for what you want. Your weight gain journey is valid, and do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Try out our recommendations, who knows, you might end up with the thick, full body you’ve always wanted.
