Healthier Food Alternatives To Try This Holiday

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Experimenting with healthy foods this holidays can be a really fun experience, especially when it’s done with family. Seeing as it is the season for a lot of cooking and feasting with friends and family, it is also a good idea to ensure that we try to eat healthy as much as possible.

Here is a list of healthy food alternatives that you could prepare and enjoy with everyone this season.

  1. Basmati rice: Rice is arguably the most popular staple food in the world. And it is cooked more frequently during the holidays. When it comes to rice options, basmati may be one of the best rice options and a good substitute for the normal plain white rice majority of people are used to. Basmati is a healthy super grain that comes from India. It is gluten-free and low in fat. It contains all eight essential amino acids, folic acid, and is very low in sodium and has no cholesterol. It is available in white or brown rice, and it has a special irresistible aroma that awakens the senses and lights up the appetite. In order to maintain a healthy diet this holiday season, Basmati should be on your menu.
  2. Cabbage moi moi: This recipe is a slightly healthier twist to the traditional moi moi. It is a mouthwatering delicacy to eat and share with loved ones this holidays. The process is just the same way you make your Nigerian moi moi: blend the cabbage, add all the ingredients (salt, pepper, ground cabbage, vegetable oil etc.), wrap with foil, or moi moi leaves, leave to cook for 15 to 20 minutes and it’s done. Very delicious!!

Please note that It is a health risk to cook moi moi in plastic containers or plastic bags.

  1. Cauliflower fried rice: This is another great healthy recipe to try out this holiday season. It deviates from the normal procedure of making fried rice. Deviating from the norm is not a crime, in fact, adding a twist to new recipes can be fun! Cauliflower is a vegetable – sort of like cabbage. It is grated or blended and prepared just like you would make the regular fried rice. The only difference is that it is steamed for a few minutes before the dish is ready to be served. You can also spice it up by adding vegetables.
  2. Plantain flour: People seem to bake more during the holidays, and of course when you hear bake, flour (white flour) comes to mind. Plantain flour is also an excellent choice. It is highly nutritious and it is a healthier option to wheat and cassava flour for baking. If you are looking for flour alternative, then, look no further because you can make pizza, chips, bread, dessert and much more from plantain flour. It is rich in iron, vitamins A, B, C, magnesium, and phosphorus. Also, it can be used to prepare swallows which you can enjoy with your favorite soups.
  3. Couscous: While this food may not be very popular amongst Nigerians, it is no doubt healthy and a meal to try this holiday season. Even though it is considered an international food, it is widely available. Fruits, vegetables, and meats are can be used in making couscous, making it an excellent main or side dish that will add colors to your holiday! Couscous isn’t limited to being a side or main dish, however. It is also used in soups and salads.  If you can make spaghetti, you can make couscous. It is really that simple!
  4. Ofada rice:  Our list will not be complete without adding our very own ofada rice. Ofada rice is unpolished because African rice is usually difficult to mill or polish, and because of this, some or all of the rice bran is left on the grain, strengthening the flavor and making it more nutritious. It can be enjoyed with ofada stew.