Plant-based eating is gaining ground in Nigeria’s food industry.
Nigeria is a country blessed with an abundance of food crops and a growing population. These crops grow in different parts of the country and thrive based on the environmental conditions present. For instance, crops like rice, groundnut, and carrot perform exceptionally well in the northern part of Nigeria.
Other crops like vegetables, cocoyam, yam, and palm oil flourish in the southern part of the country. Plant-based eating has become a regular occurrence in Nigerian households. This is in a bid to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle among the citizens.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is an important part of the life of every Nigerian. This is largely because of the awareness created by information dissemination, as well as the fact that the country is a developing one with a low life expectancy of 52 years. Hence the need for a swift switch from previously prevailing trends to plant-based dieting.
The rise of Plant-Based eating has numerous benefits for both the individual, the environment and society at large. In this article, we will be discussing the benefits and challenges of the rise of Plant-Based eating in Nigeria.
What is Plant-Based eating?
Plant-based eating involves the consumption of food or crops grown on the soil. This can be in the form of fruits, vegetables or whole grains. A plant-based diet contains a host of nutrients, such as fibre, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats.
Plant-based dieting involves the consumption of foods such as tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, apples, avocados, and a host of other foods.
Benefits of Plant-based Eating
Eating Plant-Based meals has a host of benefits, such as the following:
Improved general health
Ever wondered why people who infuse plant-based meals in their diet are healthy? Wonder no more, this is due to the vast number of nutrients like fibre, omega-3 fatty acids and essential vitamins. These nutrients help to maintain a healthy body weight, improve digestive health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases like stroke and heart attack.
Weight management
Weight gain occurs when an individual takes in food with a high calorie count and these calories are not used up by the body at the right time. Plant-based meals are lower in calorie content, which is important for proper weight management.
Friendly to the environment
Plants are a great contributor to the health of the environment. Using up the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere for photosynthesis, which aids in the reduction of the carbon footprint of that location. Furthermore, plant-based foods are not harmful to the environment. Spoilt foods and dead plants can also be used as manure to enrich other growing plants.
Increased Life expectancy
An increase in the general health of Nigerians will lead to a corresponding increase in their life expectancy. This is evident where the number of individuals suffering from life threatening illnesses like cancer and diabetes are reduced.
Challenges of Plant-based Eating in Nigeria
Certain challenges have hindered the growth of Plant-Based eating in Nigeria. These challenges are as stated below:
Planning
Switching to Plant-Based dieting needs careful thinking and proper planning if you want to achieve great results in your overall health as well as the achievement of other goals such as weight loss or the build-up of your immune system. The above objectives would determine the type of Plant-Based food to be infused in your diet.
However, the achievement of the above objectives can be a challenge to certain categories of people because of their tight schedules, which prevent or restrict them from making the requisite plans and purchasing the required food items.
Adaptation
For instance, meat is an important part of every Nigerian dish. Most of all our meals are prepared with meat gotten from goats or cows. Breaking this tradition is like telling the president of Nigeria to take over the White House. An almost impossible feat!
Furthermore, most people usually have a hard time doing things differently from the status quo. This includes trying out new things or moving to a new location. Nigerians are no different. This is one of the factors that affects the consumption of plant-based meals in any household.
Family tradition
Family tradition is a big factor that determines the rise of plant-based eating in Nigerian homes. Some families are used to taking certain meals on different days. This tradition has been embedded in their children and children’s children. Changing this tradition requires adequate planning and boldness to veer out of the norm.
Budgeting
Some families in Nigeria survive on the naira equivalent of one dollar to a meal. This amount is not enough to purchase the right amount of Plant-based foods that will cater to the whole family. This can hinder the switch to plant-based eating.
Also, some plant-based foods that are not readily available are expensive to purchase. This is in addition to certain plant-based foods, which are seasonal, thereby becoming expensive when purchased out of its season.
Knowledge Gap
knowledge gap is another factor that affects the rise of plant-based eating in Nigeria. Some people are not aware of the numerous benefits that are derived from eating plant-based foods. Furthermore, some people erroneously conclude that plant-based foods are reserved for those who can afford them.
Absence of Initiatives and Policies from the Government
The government of this nation hasn’t done much to create enough awareness and enact the right policies to encourage the rise of plant-based eating in the country. This has immensely affected the inclusion of plant-based foods in Nigerian diets.
Conclusion
The rise of plant-based eating has a host of benefits for the Nigerian people, such as increased life expectancy, improved general health and effective weight management. Despite the challenges experienced in switching to this healthier form of living, it is still possible for the Nigerian people to make the required switch and thereby reap its continuous benefits.
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