Dieting is probably one of the most challenging things to achieve as a Nigerian woman. The following are common reasons why most women diet;
- to lose some weight,
- to gain some weight,
- maintain weight
- just dieting to stay healthy, or
- dieting for skin care purposes,
Whatever the reason(s), dieting can be quite a challenge.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of pressure on the Nigerian woman to look a certain way that society dims ideal. The more unfortunate thing is that one persons perception of an ideal look differs from another person’s perception of the ideal look. Now we have a dilemma.
How should I look? I know this is one question that has crossed your mind at one point or another.
The simple truth is, the perception of another person should not be what controls your perception of yourself. Also, it definitely should not be a factor in your diet choice(s), or be the reason you’re dieting in the first place.
What is most important about dieting though is that you eat what your body needs. It doesn’t end there. You have to eat in the right proportions and at the right time, in the right way.
This article is not meant to be a weight loss guide. Rather, it is a simply a brief compilation of healthy foods that would be amazing to your body if you add them to your diets.
Here are some of our regular foods that are good for your diets.
Olives and Olive oil.
Extra Virgin olive oil is arguably the healthiest fat on earth. Olive oil contains a naturally-occurring chemical called oleic acid, which aids the breakdown of excess fats in the body.
Also, the polyunsaturated fats found in olive oil can delay hunger. It is then advisable to substitute any unhealthy form of oil for olive oils. It is a healthier alternative for your cooking and consumption.
Lemons.
Lemon is a well-known detoxifier. Its a great natural weapon against water retention and could help you achieve a flatter stomach.
Adding lemon to water is also great for weight loss. This is so because lemons make you feel full and it doesn’t contain any significant calories. Lemon juice also contains pectin. Pectin is a type of soluble fibre that can help slow digestion, which is great for weight loss.
Cucumber.
Cucumber is a low-calorie vegetable that’s rich in fibre and fills your tummy up quickly. In case you want to add a flat tummy to your body goals, then feel free to eat them or add them to your salads.
In addition, cucumbers also contain antioxidants such as quercetin and apigenin that helps fight cancer and lowers your risk of heart diseases. You definitely want to be healthy, so eat some more cucumbers.
Nuts.
Nuts may have a bad reputation in the diet world but actually are excellent weight loss snacks. They contain balanced amounts of protein, fibre, healthy fats, heart-friendly omega-3s, and skin-conditioning vitamin E. Who doesn’t want a glowing skin?
Eating a small handful of nuts as a snack is recommended. A 2011 study found that people who ate an ounce of nuts a day had higher levels of the “feel-good” hormone serotonin, which can act as an appetite suppressant.
Higher serotonin levels may also help diminish stress levels. Just make sure not to over eat it, as they are still pretty high in calories. Common nuts include Peanuts, Cashew nuts, and Walnuts.
Garlic.
Garlic might not be the best for your breath. However, it is definitely the best for a flatter tummy and good health. This is so because garlic is packed not just with toxin-battling antioxidants, but also a naturally occurring chemical called allicin.
When digested, allicin reacts with the blood to create a product capable of killing off many harmful bacteria and viruses that your body may be harbouring. This includes the digestive tract. One way to get the most out of garlic, is to add a few raw cloves to your food just before serving. That is if you can deal with the bad breath. I doubt many can.