THE NUTRI JOURNAL

  Dear Reader, Ah! So it’s finally my turn. I’ve been watching Rice enjoy all the attention, and I was beginning to wonder when you would come looking for me. 😂 I’m Beans! Yes, that same beans you either absolutely love or would rather not have anything to do with. There’s hardly any middle ground! You know me in different ways. Sometimes I’m served as beans porridge, sometimes as Ewa Agoyin, akara or moi moi. And let’s not forget my special relationship with rice and plantain. Those combinations? A match made in the kitchen! 🤭 But can we take a moment to appreciate Ewa Agoyin and Agege bread? Especially the one you buy from your favourite buka, with the bread still warm and that delicious pepper sauce generously spread over the beans. Omo! That combination is hard to resist. 😭❤️  I know some of you you have a complicated relationship with me. You love eating me, but the bloating and gas afterwards ? Not so much.😂 Well, before you start blaming me, let’s talk about what I ...

  Dear Reader, Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Rice! Yes, that same rice you probably have sitting in your kitchen cupboard right now.  You know me. I’m the one that shows up at Sunday lunch, saves the day when you don’t know what to cook, and somehow finds my way onto your plate at almost every celebration. From party jollof to fried rice, coconut rice, rice and stew, or even rice and beans, I’ve been part of your meals in more ways than one. And let’s not forget Christmas! Can you honestly imagine a Nigerian Christmas without rice? Abeg, let’s not even go there. 😂 But as much as you enjoy having me around, I’m not just here to fill your plate. I have a few things to offer your body too. So, let me gist you! First, let’s talk about energy! You know how you need energy to get through your day? Well, that’s one of the things I help with. I’m rich in carbohydrates, which your body breaks down to provide energy. I also contain small amounts of protein and some B vitamins that ...

  Dear Reader, It’s me, Plantain!  Yes, the one you can’t resist when I’m sliced, tossed into hot oil and fried to golden perfection. The one that makes an appearance beside your rice, beans or even on my own. Don’t pretend you don’t know me!  I know fried plantain gets most of the attention, and honestly, I understand why. But there’s more to me than my crispy edges and sweet, delicious taste. Have you ever wondered what I bring to your plate nutritionally? Well, let’s talk about that! So, what’s inside me? First things first, I’m a good source of carbohydrates, which means I help provide your body with energy. I also contain fibre, which supports digestion, and potassium, a mineral that helps your muscles and nerves function properly. Not forgetting vitamin B6, which supports several important functions in your body. See? I’m not just here to make your meals look good.  Ripe or unripe? I know some of you love me ripe, while others prefer me unripe. When I’m unripe,...

  I think I’ve fallen in love with donkwa all over again! You know those little brown balls neatly arranged inside transparent plastic containers that Hausa girls hawk? Yes, THAT donkwa!  I’ve always liked it, especially because of its peppery kick and nutty taste. There’s just something about that combination! I stopped eating it for a while. But guess who’s back to eating donkwa? ME! 😂 This time, though, I got curious. I already enjoy eating it, but what exactly am I getting nutritionally? So, I did a little digging! What’s inside? Donkwa is traditionally made with roasted maize, groundnuts and spices.          • Groundnuts: provide plant protein and healthy fats, which support muscle repair, provide energy and contribute to overall health.      • Maize: Supplies carbohydrates for energy and some dietary fibre to support digestion.       • The Spices: Ginger, cloves and pepper contain natural compounds with an...

I didn’t post much here this year, and honestly, I’ve thought about that a lot. Not because I lost interest in nutrition or health far from it. Life just happened. School, learning, unlearning, and figuring things out one step at a time. This year taught me that eating well isn't about always getting it right; sometimes it's just about doing what you can with what you have. I've learned that balance looks different depending on the season you're in. Some days you're intentional, some days you're just managing, and both still count. I'm still learning how to nourish my body without pressure, without extremes, and without being too hard on myself. The Nutri Journal may have been quiet at times, but it was never forgotten. It's growing with me slowly, honestly, and in its own time. And I'm okay with that. As the year comes to an end, I'm choosing to move forward gently. With patience. With curiosity. And with the intention to keep sharing food, fi...

You know that one thing you can’t resist ? The food that no matter how many times you say “ I’m cutting down” it still finds its way to your plate? Yeah, your body knows all about it  and honestly, it's been snitching. Maybe it's garri every night, suya every Friday, or indomie with egg because "it's just quick and easy." You might think it's innocent, but your body's like, "Hmm, you again?" The funny thing is, your favorite foods aren't bad they just have receipts. And with time, those receipts start showing. Your Body Doesn't Forget Patterns See ehn, your body has memory sharper than your ex's gossip. The small small things you do every day late night eating, skipping fruits, overloading on soda they pile up like data you didn't clear. At first, it's quiet. Then, one day you realize you can't go a morning without coffee or you're always bloated after that "harmless" snack. That's your body's way of...

  Let's be honest  half the time, we just eat what's in front of us. You wake up late, skip breakfast, grab gala and Coke on the way, and promise yourself you'll "balance it out later." But guess what? Your body is not smiling. It's been clocking everything you've been doing like one quiet aunty that observes and judges silently. You think it's just "one small indomie night" or “only puff-puff this morning"  but your body? It's there like, "Hmm, okay, noted." And the wild part is, it doesn't complain immediately. It waits. Then one day, your skin starts acting up, your energy drops, or you're just tired for no reason  and boom, you're wondering, "Who did I offend?" Spoiler alert: it's probably your eating habits. Energy & Mood  : The First to Snitch You know that feeling when you wake up tired even though you slept early? Yeah, that's not jazz, my dear. That's your blood sugar playing g...