Not all foods are easy to digest. Your body finds it easier to digest and break down certain foods than others. Foods that are easier to digest would require less work from the digestive system. It would also help to prevent constipation, indigestion, bloating, and more. Foods that are easy to digest easily provide your body with the required nutrients.
Generally, foods that are easy to digest are often low in fiber. This is because fiber — although being a healthy part of the diet — passes through your large intestine and may cause a number of issues, from gas to bloating to hard stool. Eating foods that are low in fiber reduces the amount of undigested products.
If you constantly eat foods that are hard to digest, it may cause issues as your digestive system would be doing more than it can handle. That is why it is important that include foods that are easy to digest in your diet.
Today, we would be looking at some examples of Nigerian foods that are easy to digest.
1. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are not just great because of their taste, but also because they are rich in soluble fiber, which can be easier to digest than insoluble fiber. Fibre is a nutrient that aids digestion and eases bowel movement. The soluble fibre content in sweet potatoes is quite high, meaning it is easy to digest and also pass out as waste because fibre adds bulk to stool. Eating sweet potatoes also promotes a healthy gut as it keeps the digestive enzymes in the colon healthy. Fibre also keeps you fuller for longer, so eating sweet potatoes would make you more satisfied and would cause you to eat less.
2. White Rice
White rice is also another food that is rich in fibre, making it easy to digest. Rice is one of the popular meals in Nigeria, where it is eaten on ordinary days and during special occasions. Rice is also a good source of carbohydrates, which makes it a energy-giving food.
3. Corn
Corn or maize is widely enjoyed in Nigeria. It can be eaten right on the cob after it has been boiled or roasted, or it can be processed into pap or ‘ogi’, as it is locally called. Corn has a moderate fibre content, which makes it very easy to digest. No matter how you choose to have the corn, the fibre would always be present in it, meaning it would always be easy to digest. Corn is also rich in other nutrients as well and has low calories, which makes it great for those who are trying to lose weight or watch their calorie intake.
4. Oats
Who does not love a bowl of oats? Eating oats in the morning could give you the right start to a day as it would promote healthy bowel activity, preventing constipation and other bowel problems. Oats is also a very satisfying food, so eating just a bowl could take you far into the day.
Oatmeal swallow is another common staple food in Nigeria. It is a healthy swallow used to eat delicious soups. Oatmeal swallow is very easy to digest.
5. Cassava
In Nigeria, cassava is processed into various meals, like garri, which is gotten from dried cassava flakes, fufu, which is gotten from fermented cassava, and even abacha, popularly called African salad. But no matter how you choose to have your cassava, you can be assured that it would digest well. This is because of the fibre content present in the crop.
6. Pawpaw
Many people love pawpaw for its sweet taste, but there is more reason to love it as it is very easy to digest. This is because it contains enzymes and has antimicrobial properties that make it easier to break down, which helps aid digestion. The papain enzyme in paw paw can make protein easier to digest. Many people even consider paw paw to be a remedy for constipation and other symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
7. Chicken
Chicken is an excellent source of animal protein, which is essential for growth and bodybuilding. Chicken contains no fiber, which makes it easy to digest. It is also good people with digestive issues, such as Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Turkeys and fish (salmon) are equally easy to digest.
8. Bananas
Bananas are a rich source carbohydrates that can be effortlessly digested. Ripe bananas are especially easier to digest, as they have less resistant starches compared to unripe bananas. Another fruit that is easy to digest is avocado.
9. Eggs
Eggs are highly nutritious and have many health benefits. However, they are also quite easy to digest. Whether it’s boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, or poached eggs, they are all very easy to digest.
10. White bread
White bread is much lower in fiber than whole grains, which makes it an easy food to digest. Although it is not one of the the healthier types one breads you should eat, it can be good for people with digestive problems.
NOTE: When you cut any food into small pieces and chew each bite well before swallowing, it can also help with easier digestion.
Nigerian Foods That Are Not Easy To Digest:
On the other hand, here are some foods that are not easy to digest:
- Dates
- Fura da nono
- Alcohol
- Coconuts
- Beans
- Onion
- Cabbage
- Pepper
- Fried foods
- Hot dogs
- Sausage rolls
- Pasta
- Carbonated drinks
- Brown rice
- Caffeinated drinks
- Pineapples.
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