🍲 30 Nigerian Food Myths People Still Believe — And Why They're Mostly Lies 😅
Discover 30 wild Nigerian food myths most people grew up believing — from garri and mango killing people, to okra soup making you talk too much. We’re busting the myths with real facts and some laughs too.
🧠 Introduction: Did You Really Believe This?
If you grew up in Nigeria, you already know food is more than just food — it’s culture, tradition, and village gossip fuel 😭. Every meal comes with a warning, and every snack could supposedly ruin your future.
We’ve all heard things like:
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“If you eat egg as a child, you’ll become a thief.”
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“Don’t mix mango with garri — you’ll die!”
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“Snail makes pregnant women give birth to slow babies.”
These food myths have been passed down like ancient scrolls, but how many of them are actually true? 👀
Let’s bust 30 of the most popular Nigerian food myths people still believe — and serve some facts along the way!
🍚 Rice & Carbs Myths
1. Garri will make you go blind
✅ Fact: This only applies in cases of extreme Vitamin A deficiency and malnutrition. Garri itself isn't the villain.
2. Mango + Garri = Death
✅ Fact: This combo won’t kill you. It’s safe. Blame your boarding school seniors for the trauma.
3. Rice makes you lazy
✅ Fact: It’s all about how much you eat and what you pair it with. Rice doesn't have a “lazy” gene.
4. Swallow at night causes nightmares
✅ Fact: Heavy meals can cause indigestion, but not supernatural dreams. Maybe reduce the efo portion instead.
🍳 Protein & Egg Myths
5. Children who eat egg become thieves
✅ Fact: Nah. Eggs provide essential nutrients for brain development — no link to stealing.
6. Eggs every day are harmful
✅ Fact: Not true for healthy individuals. The cholesterol scare is old school; moderation is key.
7. Snail is bad luck or too “slow” for pregnant women
✅ Fact: Zero scientific backing. Snail is high in iron and protein — a healthy choice when cleanly prepared.
8. Pregnant women shouldn’t eat liver
✅ Fact: Liver is high in iron and Vitamin A, both of which are good in moderation during pregnancy. Too much = risky, yes — but not outright banned.
🥬 Fruits & Veggie Myths
9. Pineapple causes miscarriage
✅ Fact: You’d have to eat insane amounts. A few slices won’t hurt anyone.
10. Bitterleaf cures everything
✅ Fact: It has medicinal properties, yes — but not a one-size-fits-all cure.
11. Carrots give you “eagle vision”
✅ Fact: Vitamin A helps your eyes, but you’re not becoming Hawkeye, abeg.
12. Ogbono soup causes memory loss
✅ Fact: Ogbono is rich in fats and fiber — it won’t make you forget your ATM pin.
🍖 Meat & Street Food Myths
13. Suya causes cancer
✅ Fact: Over-charred meat can produce carcinogens, but eating suya occasionally won’t hurt.
14. Cold water + meat = stomach stone
✅ Fact: This is biologically impossible 😂 Cold water doesn’t “solidify” meat.
15. Fried meat kills the liver instantly
✅ Fact: Too much fried food is harmful over time, not in one bite.
16. Pomo causes worms
✅ Fact: Dirty pomo can, yes. But clean, well-cooked pomo? You’re good.
🧃 Drink Myths
17. Coke + Mentos = stomach explosion
✅ Fact: It's fizzy, but unless you're a cartoon character, you won’t explode.
18. Zobo causes infertility
✅ Fact: No scientific evidence backs this up. Zobo actually contains antioxidants.
19. Palm wine spoils breast milk
✅ Fact: Alcohol can affect breast milk, but a sip won’t “spoil” it. Still, breastfeeding mums should chill on the palm wine.
20. Water after pineapple = diarrhea
✅ Fact: Nah. This myth has no biological explanation. Just drink your water.
🍜 Instant Food & Spice Myths
21. Indomie causes cancer
✅ Fact: Indomie isn’t poison. It’s processed food — enjoy in moderation.
22. Maggi cubes cause fibroids
✅ Fact: Fibroids are not caused by seasoning cubes. This is a huge misconception.
23. Beans makes you taller
✅ Fact: Beans help growth due to protein, but won’t turn you into Yao Ming.
24. Groundnut causes pimples
✅ Fact: Acne has multiple causes. Groundnuts aren’t the devil.
25. Cold food causes cough
✅ Fact: It may irritate your throat, but doesn’t directly cause cough or catarrh.
🧙♀️ Traditional & Spiritual Myths
26. Never say no to food from an elder — even if you’re full
✅ Fact: It’s a sign of respect culturally, but doesn’t have a spiritual consequence.
27. Don’t eat during eclipse — spirits are watching
✅ Fact: No spirits here — just science and shadows.
28. Okra soup makes people talk too much
✅ Fact: No food controls your mouth 😂 Own your personality.
29. Don’t taste salt while fasting — it breaks the fast
✅ Fact: A tiny taste for cooking may not count, but it depends on the fasting rules you follow.
30. Leftover food causes spiritual attack
✅ Fact: Properly stored leftovers are safe. Don't give food poisoning a spiritual excuse 😅
Added fact for we that do it more than often:
🧾 Final Thoughts: Bust the Myths, Not Your Belly
Nigerian food myths are wild, funny, and sometimes plain dangerous. From superstitions to old-school warnings, we’ve grown up believing some ridiculous things — but now, it’s time to start questioning what we’ve been told.
Because honestly?
Mango and garri won't kill you, egg won’t turn your baby into a thief, and pomo is not from hell.
Let’s keep the cultural flavor, but spice it with real facts too 🌶️.
💬 Your Turn!
Which of these food myths did YOU believe growing up?
Drop your story in the comments, and don’t forget to share this post with that one aunty who swears snail brings bad luck 😭
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