Foods I Had to Break Up With (And What I Eat Instead as a Nigerian Woman with PCOS & Prediabetic)

 Foods I Had to Break Up With (And What I Eat Instead)

I’ll be honest with you, breaking up with certain foods felt like breaking up with a piece of my identity.

Back in 2022, I found out I was prediabetic. I remember sitting in my doctor’s office, overwhelmed as he referred me to a nutritionist. The session? Well… it was a list. Just a plain list of what to eat and what not to eat. No connection to me, my culture, or how I actually live and eat as a Nigerian woman.

Imagine telling someone who grew up loving swallow, jollof rice, yam, akara, plantain, beans, and yes, don’t even get me started on bread — my precious bread! — soft fresh bread  — to suddenly stop eating all of it.

It felt impossible.

At first, I tried cutting everything out at once. I was determined… for about two weeks. And then I caved. I fell back into my usual eating pattern, and honestly, my body paid for it. I was tired, bloated, moody, and I didn’t recognize myself in the mirror anymore.

But here’s where the story shifts.
Instead of quitting, I decided to start small. I stopped thinking of food as the enemy and started looking at it as fuel — as love.

And thankfully, my husband chose to walk this path with me. His support has meant everything.

🌿 The Food Swaps That Changed My Life

1. Soda ➝ Sparkling Water (Bubbly)
I used to need a sweet drink with every meal. Orange juice, soda, you name it. The first time I tried sparkling water, I cringed. It wasn’t sweet, and my tastebuds revolted! 😅
But now? Soda tastes like liquid sugar to me. Sparkling water gives me the fizz I crave, without the crash. That one change alone helped reduce my bloating and sugar cravings.

2. White Bread ➝ Whole Grain Bread
Bread was my ride-or-die. I ate it every single day. But I knew something had to give. Instead of cutting it out completely (and feeling miserable), I found a balance.
I switched to whole grain bread, freeze it, and toast it when I’m ready. I pair it with avocado, boiled egg, and a little banana. Not only is it delicious, but it keeps me full and energized — without the sugar spike.

3. My Green Wonder Drink
This was a game changer. I started making a simple green blend that helped my digestion, boosted my energy, and honestly made me feel alive. You can find the recipe and details here:

❤️ My Advice to You

Change doesn’t happen overnight. You don’t need to cut out everything at once.
Start with one small swap, and be kind to yourself. Food is not just fuel — it’s emotional, cultural, and spiritual. And healing is not about restriction — it’s about redirection.

💬 Let’s Talk!

What’s one food you’ve been struggling to let go of? Or maybe you’ve found a healthy swap that works for you? I’d love to hear about it in the comments or DMs.

If you're navigating PCOS, insulin resistance, or just trying to eat better — you are not alone. And you don’t have to give up everything you love to feel good in your body.

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1. Why Am I Always Hungry? Mindful Eating with Insulin Resistance PCOS

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