Exploring Alternative Food Options Beyond Rice
Hi foodies! Eating one type of meal every time can be boring, trust me, I know all about it. I was recently surfing Twitter when a user asked a question we’ve all asked ourselves at some point. “What else can I eat aside from rice?” hence why I have decided to share some interesting food options to substitute rice.

While rice is a staple food in many Nigerian homes, there are plenty of other delicious and exciting meals to try. Here are some interesting meals that Nigerians can enjoy aside from rice:
- Pounded Yam and Efo Riro: This starchy side dish made by pounding boiled yams can easily replace rice in your meal. The combination of pounded yam and Efo Riro makes for a delicious and satisfying meal.
- Akara: Akara is a deep-fried bean cake made from black-eyed peas, onions, and spices. It is often served as a snack or breakfast food and can be enjoyed on its own or with bread or pap. You can substitute rice with this to spice up your diet.
- Egusi Soup: It is made from melon seeds and is a popular dish in Nigeria. It is best served with pounded yam, semo or eba. Egusi soup is one of the healthiest Nigerian soups. You can read more about its health benefits here.
- Moi Moi: Whenever you are tired of eating rice, you can opt for this steamed bean pudding made from black-eyed peas, peppers, onions, and spices. You can serve it alongside bread or custard and it can also be served as a main course.
- Plantain Porridge: Another interesting meal you can replace rice with in your diet is plantain porridge. It can be prepared with either ripe or unripe plantain. Crayfish, pepper, onion, palm oil and sliced vegetable are some of the ingredients needed to make this tasty meal.
These are just some of the many interesting food options Nigerians can enjoy aside from rice. With so many delicious options to choose from, there’s no reason to stick to just one dish!
Which of these meals will you be adding to your diet?
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