Ever wondered why every January, so many people jump on the “latest diet” like it’s the secret key to happiness—only to end up frustrated and, let’s be honest, sometimes worse off? Here’s the inside story: the shocking truth about diet culture is that it might be quietly undoing the very health gains you desperately crave, especially in Nigeria where food is a centrepiece of our daily life and culture.
In my years working with families from Lagos to Abuja, I’ve seen how nutrition experts and everyday folks alike get swept up by trendy diets. Allegedly, these eating plans promise overnight magic—shed five kilos in one week, burn belly fat by skipping rice, or achieve flawless skin with “clean” eating. Sounds tempting, right? But according to multiple nutrition studies, these quick fixes can actually make long-term health harder, sometimes promoting disordered eating instead of wellness.
The Dark Side of Diet Culture in Nigeria
Diet culture is everywhere—from church WhatsApp groups to our Instagram feeds, and it’s not just women feeling the heat anymore. According to recent research, men are also being targeted with messages to “bulk up” or “lean out.” Think of the keto craze, the carnivore diet, or “banting”—they all float through Nigerian gyms and online spaces with the promise of perfection.
While it’s true that some people shed kilos on these plans, the evidence reportedly shows that most end up stuck in a cycle: lose weight fast, gain it right back—with interest. And let’s be sincere, is that not the wahala we’re all trying to avoid?
Weight Loss Doesn’t Always Equal Better Health
Here in Nigeria, we often assume that dropping weight equals sharp health. But experts warn that’s a dangerous shortcut. Achieving “lepa” status or having a “six-pack” does not necessarily translate to wellness. In fact, some popular diets, like Whole30 or extreme low-carb plans, advise us to cut out entire groups—grains, dairy, and beans—despite scientific evidence suggesting that these foods (local beans, pap, and fura, anyone?) are anti-inflammatory and highly nutritious.
Restricting core Nigerian staples just for a trend? Omo, e no easy! And it rarely delivers what it promises.
When Diet Culture Separates Us From Our Food
One of the most explosive impacts of diet culture is how it twists our relationship with food. Suddenly, every meal becomes a moral test—suya is “bad,” salad is “good,” jollof must be “earned.” Before you know it, eating becomes a battleground of “macros” and calories, not enjoyment or tradition.
Food, at its heart, is part of our story. Yet, when we get obsessed with tracking every morsel or follow influencer diets to the letter, we distance ourselves from the simple joy—and even necessity—of eating what nourishes body and soul. According to several Lagos-based nutritionists, this “numbers-only” approach breeds distrust; you begin to fear okra soup instead of listening to your body’s own hunger and fullness signals.
I’ve seen too many people—young and old—get stuck in the diet merry-go-round, only to end up feeling like they have “failed” when the rules become impossible to follow during festive seasons or during Sunday family gatherings.
Social Costs: Why Dieting Can Hurt Your Social Life
Ever found yourself skipping owambe parties because you’re worried there won’t be any “permitted” food? Let’s face it, many restrictive diets can make you choose between enjoying time with friends and sticking to complicated food rules. Is bringing your special salad to a friend’s naming ceremony really all that fun?
In Nigerian culture, food means so much more than calories. It’s how we show love, tell stories, and celebrate. When your food choices create barriers, it’s time to pause and check—will you look back on happy moments, or just see memories of saying “no” for the sake of a fleeting trend?
Of course, for those managing specific medical conditions, these choices are different. But for most of us, flexibility at the dining table is part of what makes us human—and Nigerian.
The Hidden Price Tag of Diet Culture in Nigeria
Let’s not even talk about the cost. Many of these popular diets require you to buy fancy imported ingredients and supplements. Have you checked the price of some “wellness” teas, almond flours, or imported chia seeds lately? You’ll spend like you’re funding a new startup, only to discover that affordable staples (like beans and ugu leaf) do the job just as well.
According to reports from the Global Wellness Institute, the so-called “wellness industry” is booming—all thanks to people chasing “secret” fixes. Meanwhile, real health is very much within reach with simple, homegrown foods, not the latest social media fad or overpriced powder.
- Affordable nutrition is possible with local yam, brown rice, and native vegetables.
- Balance and moderation matter more than exclusivity.
- There’s no eco or pocket-friendly reason to break the bank on Western “superfoods.”
How Our Choices Affect the Next Generation
Children are always watching. According to published research, when children grow up seeing adults worry over every morsel or label foods as “bad,” they’re more likely to develop worries about food and their own bodies as they mature.
Instead of passing down food stress, let’s teach balance—sometimes you have amala, sometimes you eat salad. Flexibility, not fear, is the real inheritance.
Practical Paths to Better Health in Nigeria
So what’s the alternative if diet culture isn’t the answer? According to experts, lasting health comes from simple, doable steps:
- Eat more fibre – Add beans, fruits, and vegetables to every meal—for better digestion and health.
- Drink less alcohol – Try not to overdo it at Friday “happy hour.”
- Enjoy local meals in moderation – No need to demonize pounded yam, just watch the portion size.
- Move your body – It could be a walk to the market, dancing at a party, or joining a local football match.
- Rest and recharge – Sleep and stress reduction matter just as much as what’s on your plate.
Remember: there’s no one-size-fits-all. The healthiest Nigerians are the ones who combine the wisdom of tradition with evidence-based science, not those who jump from one trend to another like traffic on Third Mainland Bridge during rush hour.
The Bottom Line: Rethinking Diet Culture in Nigeria
Just because a diet is trending doesn’t mean it’s right for you. The unprecedented rise of diet culture in Nigeria is reportedly making people anxious, draining bank accounts, and interfering with social bonds.
Real health is rooted in balance, consistency, and self-compassion. Oga, healthy living isn’t a punishment—it’s a privilege that should fit into your life, not the other way around. Let’s focus on the basics: eat more plants, drink water, sleep well, and move your body. The rest? That’s pepper to taste!
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