How the Food Time Table Works
The Food Time Table contains a list of foods to guide you every day for one year. It contains 3 daily meals, including Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. The meal for each day is loaded automatically based on the current date. This means the timetable is dynamic, what you see on the timetable today is different from what you see tomorrow.
However, you’re allowed to select a different date in the future and see what the food suggestion will be. You can go as far as the last day of the current year and even as far as 10 years from the current year.
As much as possible, we tried to make the meals on the timetable that are accommodated for all Nigerians regardless of their tribes. Nonetheless, there is a button beside each meal that allows you to load a cultural meal. The meal can be from any tribe in Nigeria, it’s not tribe sensitive.
If the menu for a specific day doesn’t work for you, you can check some other days to get different ideas.
What Nigerian Foods Did We Include?
We included foods that cut across cultures and locations, and we also included heavily traditional foods, of course, there is an option to select what you prefer.
What Meals Did We Include?
Most Nigerian homes have 3 meals a day, so our database includes Nigerian breakfast, lunch, and dinner timetables.
Food TimeTable in Nigeria
A well-organized food timetable in Nigeria is essential for maintaining a healthy and balanced diet throughout the week. It also helps you manage your finances and plan your life accordingly.
We recognize that as Nigerians, our financial capabilities vary, impacting the range of foods we can afford. While we attempted to consider this diversity, we acknowledge that a single food timetable cannot adequately address everyone’s budget. Consequently, we have opted to develop distinct food timetables aside from this general one, tailored to different audiences.
This food timetable takes a more general approach, aiming to provide a universal guide that suits a broad audience. While it follows a one-size-fits-all structure, its design is intended to serve as, at the very least, a starting point for every Nigerian.
How to Get Food Timetable for a Week & More
Each day of the week already has a menu loaded in the database. All you need do is check what each day has and take a picture of them with your phone. For ease of use, we can also send a PDF document or Image to you with a one-week timetable on request. You can make a request for that in the comment box below. You can also get a Nigerian food time table for a month.
Factors Considered While Selecting the Meals
This food timetable is not just an arbitrary arrangement of foods, careful thought was put into how they are arranged, and how each meal follows after another. Below are some of the factors we considered while selecting the meals.
1. Days of the Week
On Sundays, many Nigerians go to church, so we considered light meals that don’t take time to make. Saturdays allow most Nigerians to dedicate as much time to cooking as they want and many even cook the food for the week, this is one of the factors we considered.
For the breakfasts, we included foods you can make easily before going to work with the exception of the traditional ones.
2. Sensitivity of Food
Some foods like beans and their products can easily lead to food poisoning, so we avoided including them in Dinners. ‘Swallows’ as we call them are sparingly included in Dinners because of their heaviness and contribution to weight gain.
3. Frequency
To avoid boredom, we tried to space out the food as much as we could. You can go for about 2 – 3 weeks without repeating breakfasts. Of course, some people take bread and tea as their permanent breakfast. Some of the foods we have in the breakfast position can pass for lunch for some.
4. Popular Preferences
Many of the meals at lunch are ‘heavy’ because many Nigerians live that way. Believing that they need energy either food after some hard work or to continue working.
We’re not health practitioners or dieticians, we do not make any claim that this has any medical or nutritional backing. For clearance, consult with your Nutritionists or Doctors.
How to use the Nigerian Food TimeTable
The food timetable does not have to be followed rigidly. Let it be more like an inspiration guide when making your meals daily. So feel free to be creative and experiment as much as you like.
Note the following:
- The calculator has breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals for each day (365 days) when you come to this page. This means that once you’re here, it recommends this day’s meals for you.
- You can check the meal for other days using the calendar available.
Now, to make use of it, simply follow the step-by-step guide below:
- Scroll to the top of this page.
- You’ll discover the breakfast, lunch, and dinner sections. Now, use the tab to select what type of meal you want; Popular Nigerian Breakfast or Native/Cultural Breakfast.
- When you select, the tool automatically presents what meal you should have for today. To get the recommended food for each meal, simply repeat the steps at the breakfast, lunch, and dinner sections.
Popular Native Cultural Meals
As you know, one thing the food timetable doesn’t fail to include is Nigeria Native cultural meals. These cultural meals aren’t just known to be flavorful and enjoyable, they are widely celebrated among the different cultures in Nigeria.
Let’s see some of the popular native cultural meals you’ll find in the food timetable:
Jollof Rice
Nigeria Jollof rice is one of the most popular traditional dishes enjoyed by many tribes in Nigeria. This dish takes center stage when it’s celebration time including weddings and naming ceremonies. With the rich blend of rice, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and various spices, jollof rice comes out flavorful and suits the taste buds of many. Surely, this meal can’t be ignored on this list.
Abacha with Fish
Abacha is a traditional dish enjoyed in Igbo land. However, due to its rich and unique taste, other tribes have come to enjoy it as a meal. This delicacy, often referred to as African Salad is made from shredded cassava and often paired with smoked fish. You can eat it in the morning, or any time of the day.
Tuwo with Ugu soup
Another traditional meal included is Tuwo with Ugu soup. Tuwo is a well-known swallow dish in the Northern part of Nigeria. It is made from either rice or corn.
Paired with Ugu soup, a soup made from Ugu leaves called pumpkin leaves in English, this meal (Tuwo with Ugu soup) can’t be praised enough. While Ugu soup is an Igbo delicacy, pairing it with Tuwo makes a great combination and can be enjoyed as lunch or dinner.
You can also pair Tuwo with another soup, or pair Ugu soup with another popular traditional Nigerian swallow.
Pounded yam with Banga soup
Most Nigerians love to feast on the goodness of the Yoruba tribe swallow; Pounded Yam. This dish is usually smooth and stretchy (well, it depends on how well you pound the yam) and can be eaten with any soup. But pairing it with Banga soup seems to be a popular one and is gladly enjoyed among locals and visitors as well. Taking Pounded yam into the richly made palm nut soup during lunch or dinner is lovely. You’ll definitely see this combination on the food timetable.
Ogi and Akara
A popular local breakfast dish in Nigeria is Ogi and Akara. Ogi also known as pap combined with the crispness of Akara just gives a satisfying feeling.
Ogi is usually made from millet, and corn while Akara is made from beans. This combination is not just a meal, it’s a cherished tradition that is often enjoyed on Saturdays in many Nigerian households.
On the timetable are other native cultural meals you can enjoy.
Low Budget Nigerian Foods Included in the TimeTable
Not all meals need to be prepared extravagantly. Some meals can be made with basic ingredients, be nutritious, and come out delicious. Let’s list a few that are included on the food timetable:
Asaro
Asaro is the Yoruba name for yam porridge. Practically made from yam cubes cooked in a seasoned pot, you can get a budget-friendly yam to make your Asaro. Include ingredients like tomatoes, onions, and peppers. It’s simple yet delicious.
Moi Moi with Garri
While Garri has been known to be an economical food in Nigeria, most might not consider Moi Moi as one. However, with beans and basic ingredients like pepper and seasonings, you can prepare Moi Moi, a protein-packed meal.
Bread and Akara
Bread and Akara is a common meal enjoyed by many in Nigeria. The duo is not only pocket-friendly, it’s easy to buy them at different selling stands in Nigeria.
Eba and Ewedu with Stew
Eba prepared from Garri goes alongside Ewedu (Jute leaves) and stew. This meal is not only budget-friendly, it’s delicious and satisfying at the same time. You can include whatever protein you wish in your stew.
Bread and Beans
Bread and beans are another cost-effective meal. The savory beans easily go with soft bread (or whichever you prefer). Simply boil your beans till soft, add pepper, onions, and other seasoning, and cook till done. When it’s fully cooked, eat with your bread for lunch. That’s it! You don’t have to spend much.
Who can use this Time Table?
Everyone. The food timetable is versatile and can cater to individuals, and families alike.
Not only does the timetable meet adults’ full dish needs, but toddlers can also enjoy the planned meals. So, whatever your unique taste buds are, or in search of a healthy and kid-friendly food timetable, look no further! The food timetable is for you.
Ultimately, it’s for whoever has been looking for a week, month, or year meal plan.
Disclaimer
This food timetable serves as a guide and is not a medical document. We do not assert that it has undergone nutritional vetting. While we’ve put our best efforts into creating a healthy guide based on general health and nutrition knowledge gathered as ordinary individuals (non-professionals), we cannot guarantee specific outcomes for each person.
It’s crucial to recognize that individual health needs vary. If you have a medical condition, we strongly advise you to consult your doctor for personalized guidance tailored to your specific health circumstances.