One of the most challenging things people struggle with as adults, and most especially as adults who live alone, is wondering what to eat, especially for breakfast.
The English have a breakfast option that compromises bacon, sausages, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, toast, and beans on one plate. Although that might seem like a delicious and filling breakfast, the items that make up the meal aren’t exciting to the average Nigerian.
So in this article, I’ve put together various breakfast options for the average Nigerian living in Nigeria.
- Akara, pap and coconut flakes
The coconut flakes are your after-meal snack, in case you’re wondering. Pap and akara is a Saturday morning staple in my household. Every Saturday morning, when I wake up, I know what I am about to eat, and it’s been the same for years. This meal can be eaten on any day of the week from Monday to Sunday. Homemade or street-bought akara can achieve the satisfaction this meal brings.
- Boiled yam, fried eggs, beverage and some fruits (milk and hot chocolate drink of choice)
Are you really a Nigerian if boiled yam isn’t one of your favourite things to eat (yes, you are. I am your representative)? Boiled yam with well-fried eggs with peppers, tomatoes and some veggies is always a hit. Pair this meal with some hot chocolate, and you’ve eaten the food of champions and are ready to take on your day head-on.
- Fried plantain, fried eggs with vegetables, small beans and orange juice
I speak for all the fried plantain lovers when I say there’s no better meal than fried plantain. You can trust dodo to have your back for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The beans you pair this meal with has to be small, so you don’t feel overfed or tired during the day or upset your digestive system. The best kind of beans for this meal is ewa agoyin. Try it and thank me later.
- Boiled plantain, vegetable soup, small beans and water
Again, small beans. Boiled plantain and vegetable soup will help improve your bowel movement during the day. Too much beans in it will upset your stomach. Breakfast aims to be well-fed and not uncomfortable throughout the day.
- Your choice of rice, plantain, one boiled egg, one piece of chicken, one piece of fish and a bottle of soda
Fried, jollof, white, coconut, rice and beans or any rice can be used in this meal. The good thing about rice is how much of a multifaceted baddie it is. Don’t forget the boiled egg, a piece of chicken and fish to accompany the meal. You don’t step down this meal with water. No, you step it down with an icy soft drink.
- Beans, plantain, boiled egg, fish, beef, ponmo and soda of choice
This is the gym bro version of the meal above. In whatever you do, make sure you are as physically active as possible after eating this and try to stay away from people to avoid polluting the environment and potentially harming innocent people’s noses. A word is enough for the wise.
- Moin-moin, garri/pap, fried fish, peppered ponmo and some water
Moin-moin slaps at any time of the day. It slaps most when it’s straight out of the pot and on your plate by 8 a.m. Whatever you eat your moin-moin with is entirely up to you, don’t forget your fried fish and peppered ponmo.
- Fried yam, fried sweet potato, fried plantain, fish sauce and orange juice
This meal should be called “the best of all the worlds.” Don’t bother yourself with how many calories you’re potentially consuming by eating this meal. To feel healthier, you can fry in an airfryer with minimal oil. Air-fried plantain doesn’t bang, but that’s by the way. You’re starting your day with some of the most delicious foods in Nigeria, and that’s a win.
- Bread and Coke/water
When the going gets tough, and you know you can’t take the hunger anymore or bother to cook for yourself, then this is the meal for you. It’s a quick, filling meal that keeps you sustained and energised until your next meal. This meal is best enjoyed when the bread is whole and unsliced.
- Water
Do you really need to eat breakfast?
Eating breakfast daily will help increase your energy levels and reduce your chances of snacking on unhealthy foods during the day. I know how hard it can be to decide what to eat, and I hope this article will make your meal planning easier.
