Dodo [Fried Plantain]

One of the easiest and quickest Nigerian food ideas is fried plantain. It can be served as a side dish with any rice dish (Jollof Rice, Fried Rice, Coconut Rice, and so on), noodles, or nearly anything. Plantain is a simple, versatile dish that can be served as a side with lunch, dinner or as a main with beans, eggs, stew and more.

Plantains are a good source of carbohydrate, which is the main source of energy for the body. Deep-fried plantains are an excellent source of vitamin A, It is also a good source of potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B-6.

Health Benefits of Plantains

• Plantains Help Fight Against Harmful Free Radicals; Plantains are rich in vitamin C which help’s the body fight against free radicals. Free radicals might be caused by aging, toxic chemicals, radiation and cigarette smoke. Free radicals can contribute to life threatening diseases like heart disease, cancer e.t.c. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that helps to boost the immune system
• Better Digestive Health and Weight Loss; Losing weight involves burning of calories. To reduce weight, you need to consume or eat more fibre. Plantains are rich in fibres, which tends to have lower energy density and provides fewer calories per gram of food. They help ensure healthy bowels and reduces constipation
• Plantains are Good for Mood and Brain; They contain vitamin B6, which plays variety of roles in the body. This roles include: promoting immune function, help stimulate metabolism,and contribute to cognitive development and functions. Our mood depends on many factors, vitamin B6 plays an important role in regulating our mood. This is because it is necessary in the creation of neurotransmitters that regulates emotions.
• A Good Source of Magnesium which is Beneficial Against Diabetes; 100g of plantain, which is one serving of plantain offer approximately 16 percent of the daily requirement of magnesium. Magnesium helps to ensure our blood sugar remains within the right range. While plantains contain a good amount of magnesium, don’t forget they are high in carbohydrate and glycemic load. Therefore diabetic patients should pair plantain with other foods with low glycemic load.