The 5 worst breakfast foods in Nigeria are white bread with margarine or jam, Indomie with fried eggs, soft drinks or overly sugary tea, fried snacks like puff-puff or akara, and heavy meals like eba and fufu.
Breakfast is supposed to fuel your body, not drain it. But in Nigeria, many of the meals we love to eat in the morning (like white bread) might be doing more harm than good.
If you’ve ever wondered why you still feel tired after breakfast or crash before noon, your morning choices might be to blame.
Let’s look at the 5 worst breakfast foods in Nigeria and the smarter swaps that’ll keep you feeling full and energetic all morning.
5 Worst Breakfast Foods In Nigeria
1. White Bread With Margarine or Jam
White bread might be quick to grab, but it’s made from refined flour that digests too fast. That means it spikes your blood sugar and leaves you hungry again in no time.
Add that to margarine, which may have unnecessary trans fats that can harm your heart, and you just ate one of the 5 worst breakfast foods in Nigeria.
It’s true that margarine is no longer as bad as it used to be, but even small amounts are still something to worry about.
So, what should I eat instead?
Whole wheat bread topped with boiled eggs or mashed avocado.
2. Indomie With Fried Eggs
Indomie hits different, especially when it’s peppery with onions and fried eggs on top. But honestly? It’s not doing your body any favors.
Instant noodles are high in sodium and low in nutrients. Pairing them with fried eggs only adds extra cholesterol and grease.
So, what should I eat instead?
Boiled yam, plantain, or potatoes with vegetable sauce. Or make scrambled eggs with less oil; still tasty, just lighter.
3. Soft Drinks or Overly Sugary Tea
Some people can’t start their morning without malt or Coke (you know yourselves). And then there’s the “three spoons of sugar” tea gang.
Starting your day with that much sugar gives you an instant energy high, but it crashes fast. Before long, you’re yawning in that 9 a.m. meeting.
So, what should I take instead?
Since we’re talking liquids, go for water, unsweetened tea, or a fruit smoothie. If you love sweetness, blend banana and pineapple.
4. Fried Snacks
You know those roadside breakfasts like puff-puff, akara, or buns with chilled Coke? They taste heavenly, but they’re usually fried in oil that has been used over and over again.
That oil becomes full of bad fats that can raise cholesterol and cause indigestion. Even akara, which is protein-rich, turns greasy and heavy when over-fried.
So what should I eat instead?
If you love fried snacks (and honestly, who doesn’t?), try making them at home using fresh oil you can trust. Control the heat, don’t reuse oil too many times, and drain excess oil on paper towels.
Read More: 10 Meals For Breakfast In Nigeria
5. Heavy Meals Like Fufu And Eba
Wait, before you come for us, chill. We get it. Some people feel like they can’t function until they eat “something strong.” And the truth is, meals like fufu and eba are great, just not for breakfast.
They are heavy and take time to digest. When you eat them early in the morning, your body spends most of its energy breaking them down instead of keeping you active and alert. That’s why you might start feeling sleepy or sluggish not long after eating.
Plus, cassava-based meals can make some people bloated, especially when paired with rich soups like egusi or ogbono first thing in the morning.
So what should I eat instead?
If you want something filling but lighter, go for moi moi, pap with milk, or boiled plantain with sauce. They’ll still keep you full without the “food coma.”
In Short…
Breakfast doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to work for you, and not against you. Eat light, go easy on oil and sugar, and pick meals that keep you active, not sleepy.
And…and…if you do eat something heavy, take a short walk afterward. Your body will thank you for it (and your waistline might too).
