If there’s one food generally loved by Nigerians, it’s fried ripe plantains, or dodo and beans.

Frying ripe plantains gives them a caramel-like taste that many people enjoy; most times, this plantain is mixed beans cooked with palm kernel oil.

This conversation has been going on online for quite a while now about whether beans and ripe plantains are healthy.

Kemi Lopsam, a natural health doctor and an acupuncturist based in Akure, first spoke about this in 2019 on a website called Newsroom. According to Lopsam, “cooking food like beans with unripe plantains has no problems. It is a perfect combination that makes digestion easy.” But cooking beans with ripe plantains is unhealthy.

The combination is acidic

Ripe plantains are fruits. She explained that heat turns fructose into acid, and many diseases stem from acidity. Acid-forming foods are unhealthy and dangerous and can cause heart problems, ulcers, and gastrointestinal reflux.

Beans are naturally acid-forming too, but they help to create a great PH balance of acid and alkaline in the body. There’s no problem as long as you give beans ample time to digest, but some people are allergic to beans and need to stay as far away from them as possible.

It doesn’t digest properly together

She states that beans take five to seven hours to digest and leave the stomach, while ripe plantains take just three hours. Fruits digest in the terminal ileum and not the stomach. Foods digested in the stomach.

Ripe plantains do not need pancreatic enzymes to digest, unlike beans. When combined, the plantains struggle to leave the stomach and go to the terminal ileum, but the beans in the stomach make it difficult for them to leave. This struggle continues until fermentation occurs, which is known to cause many diseases. She advises that plantains shouldn’t be cooked but eaten raw.

However, Lopsam might be wrong in her assertion about where fruits and food are digested, as both are digested in the small intestine. Although they are both highly acidic and might cause severe stomach upset when eaten together.

Bad oil makes fried plantains unhealthy.

According to Healthline, “fried plantains aren’t exactly a healthy choice if fried in unhealthy oil.” So your plantains are only as good as the oil used to make them.

Plantain chips have high calories and fat

Per the United States Department of Agriculture, plantain chips are rich in calories, fat, and carbohydrates. This high-calorie count can lead to weight gain and health issues.

Numerous studies have shown that taking breakfast has a positive learning effect on kids in terms of their behavior, cognitive development and school performance.

However, due to the morning rush and bustle that comes with school sessions, coming up with a quick yet nutritious breakfast for the kids can be quite difficult.

Ensuring your kids have a nutritious and energizing breakfast is more vital now than ever to keep them focused in the classroom.

Without further ado, here are easy yet tasty breakfast ideas for your kids.

Pancakes

Pancakes, which take less than 5 minutes, are a quick fix for kids, and it is tasty and filling.

This breakfast idea requires a few simple ingredients including flour, baking soda, milk and eggs — which you probably already have in your kitchen.

Interestingly, there is now pancake mix you can get to make the preparation even faster.

So whip up some fluffy pancakes for a delightful breakfast for your kids. To make it more fun, you can make it in different shapes, and flavors and also top it with your kids’ favorite fruits.

French toast

French toast is a sweet morning treat for your kids that requires just bread, cinnamon, eggs and less than 30 minutes of your time.

All you need do is to dip the bread in a cinnamon and egg mixture, then cook until golden.

However, if you do not have cinnamon, you can alternate it with nutmeg.

You can make it more exciting for your kids with toppings like powdered sugar or syrup.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a wholesome breakfast choice that is not only easy to prepare but also nutritious.

Taking less than 15 minutes, oatmeal can provide your kids with the dietary fiber, minerals and vitamins they need to be energised in school.

Do not forget to add toppings which could include dried or fruit fruits, and bananas to make it more delightful.

Egg muffins

Egg muffins are a popular and healthy breakfast choice for kids.

They are made with scrambled eggs and vegetables. However, it can be spiced up with balconies as well as cheese.

The choice of veggies will guarantee that the egg muffins are packed with nutrients for your kids.

Interestingly, you can make them in advance and refrigerate them. And just reheat them when you need a quick breakfast for the kids.

Cereal

Cereal with milk is one of the most popular breakfast options for kids.

However, always ensure you opt for whole grain and low sugar cereal for them in order to provide a quick yet nutritious breakfast.

Sandwiches

Sandwiches are great options for breakfast particularly during the school period because they’re super quick and easy to make.

There are a variety of sandwiches ranging from chocolate sandwiches to jelly sandwiches, and egg sandwiches. So you can decide to pick any to fit into your schedule.

However, you can make it more filling and healthier for the kids by adding fried sausages and avocado.

Fruit smoothies

This is another breakfast option that requires less than 30 minutes.

All you have to do is blend together a combination of yogurt, fresh or frozen fruits, and milk to create a nutritious and tasty smoothie.

You can also add some vegetables like spinach or kale for more nutrients.

It is no secret that you are what you eat. So eating balanced diet foods filled with nutrients is important to maintain your overall health and wellness.

Now more than ever — with the world navigating through various health challenges — having a robust immune system is important.

While there is no magical solution to prevent illness, research has suggested that your diet plays a crucial role in boosting your immunity.

Without further ado, here are immune-boosting foods you should add to your diet.

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are one of the richest natural sources of beta carotene, a plant-based compound that is converted to vitamin A in your body.

Vitamin A is crucial to a healthy immune system as it helps your body respond to toxins and foreign substances.

Also, vitamin A helps keep the skin strong and healthy. You may not think of skin as part of your immune system. But this crucial organ serves as a first-line fortress against bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.

Sweet potatoes are also a good source of vitamin C. Meanwhile, vitamin C has been proven to be effective in boosting immunity.

Vitamin C helps encourage the production of white blood cells which help protect the body against infection. It also makes the cells function more effectively while protecting them from damage by potentially harmful molecules.

Sweet potatoes are highly versatile and easy to incorporate into your diet, so add them to your diet today.

Oats

Oats are a great food to boost your immune system due to their high level of antioxidants, fiber and zinc.

These antioxidants work together to help fight off free radicals that cause oxidative stress, which contributes to inflammation and the development of chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease.

Avenanthramides, a type of antioxidant found in oats, has been proven to have anticancer properties.

Oats also contain a type of fiber called beta-glucan. Beta-glucans boost the immune system by stimulating immune cells, enhancing their ability to detect and eliminate pathogens.

The zinc found in oats also has a profound influence on your immune system. Research has found that zinc deficiency increases one’s susceptibility to a variety of pathogens.

• Broccoli

Broccoli is a good choice of vegetable to eat regularly to support immune system health.

This vegetable is packed with several vitamins, fiber and antioxidants. Broccoli is rich in a particular antioxidant called sulforaphane.

Sulforaphane aids in the production of glutathione. Research has shown that glutathione helps attack free radicals in the body and reduces their damage to your immune system.

Broccoli is healthiest when steamed or microwaved, according to a study.

• Poultry

Poultry such as chicken and turkey are needed in your diet to boost your immune system.

Poultry are rich in Vitamin B6 which are important player in many of the chemical reactions that happen in the body. It is also vital to the formation of new and healthy red blood cells.

The protein in chicken and turkey also provides you with amino acids, which are used by your body to build antibodies to fight infection. Research also suggested that amino acids enhance the immune status, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality.

• Yogurt

Yogurt contains beneficial bacteria — probiotics — that promote gut health and regulate your immune system.

Daily consumption of probiotic-rich yogurt improves your immune function by increasing the activity of cells that limit the spread of disease.

However, when choosing yogurt to add to your diet, look out for brands without added sugar.

• Fatty fish

Fatty fish including salmon, tuna and sardines are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Long-term intake of omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks a healthy part of the body.

• Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, lemons, and limes contain high levels of vitamin C.

Vitamin C helps fight infection by increasing your white blood cells.

Remember, your body does not produce or store vitamin C so you need regular intake. Add these fruits to your diet regularly.