GARRI IS A FUNCTIONAL FOOD.

Yes! the common staple made from cassava is a functional food. What is a functional food? Functional food provide additional health benefits aside the basic nutrition requirements. 

 According to an article published in the Journal of Nutrition 2002, “Functional foods represent one of the most intensively investigated and widely promoted areas in the food and nutrition sciences today.” 

The benefits of a diet that includes plenty of functional foods is that it protects against common chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes and stroke. Functional foods can occur naturally as seen in some fruits and vegetables or they can be bred or enhanced as seen in the yellow cassava, orange fleshed potatoes and purple potatoes.

 Foods can also be processed with other ingredients referred to as fortified to make it functional such as cereals fortified with vitamins and minerals. Functional foods are referred to as power / super foods based on the health benefits they provide and wellness they promote.Functional foods help fight diseases/ prevent diseases and boost immunity utilizing different methods depending on the nutrients it contain. 

 Functional foods benefits: 1) promotes gut health and enhance immune system. Garri as a functional food promotes gut health because of its fiber content, which also helps it absorb toxins from the digestive tract. Garri is a prebiotic, the fiber resists digestion but goes to the lower digestive tract and acts as food for probiotics thus promoting gut health. 

2) Disease prevention : fiber in garri helps to add bulk to stool thus preventing constipation which when prolonged and severe can lead to hemorrhoids. High fiber diets help lower risks of obesity and cardiovascular disease . 

 3) Garri is gluten free, thus helping to prevent chronic inflammation, promotes weight loss and prevents bowel disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease.

 4) Garri can be fortified or enriched with other functional foods to increase the benefits. Peanuts is also a functional food which when combined with garri triples the health and wellness benefits. The yellow garri is rich in vitamin A is a ready source to prevent Vitamin A deficiency in children. 

 Echbee foods uses yellow garri that is rich in vitamin A with peanuts to make nutritious snacks and meals.

Farm and Fortune: Marketing.

GARRI RECIPES: HOW TO MAKE DELICIOUS SNACKS FROM GARRI.

 

IMAGES OF GARRI.

 IMAGES OF GARRI.

Garri can be used to make nutritious food and snacks.

Garri cookies

Garri cakes

Garri puff-puff

Garri chocoballs.

The Nutritious Cassava Flakes made from Yellow Garri.

Nutritious Cassava Flakes Made from Yellow Garri.

 

If you're looking for a tasty and nutritious way to add some variety to your breakfast, look no further than cassava flakes! Cassava flakes are made from cassava root, a starchy tuber that is quickly becoming a popular alternative to oats and other grains. Cassava flakes are gluten-free, rich in fiber and protein, and packed with essential vitamins and minerals, making them an ideal addition to any healthy diet. 

 Snacking is a great way to keep hunger at bay between meals, but it's important to make sure you're snacking on healthy foods. Garri is a popular West African food made from processed cassava, and it can be a great source of nutritious snacks that are easy to make. 

In this blog post, we'll explore some of the most delicious and nutritious snacks you can make with garri. From sweet treats like pancakes and muffins to savory snacks like fritters and omelets, you'll find plenty of recipes to choose from that are packed with flavor, vitamins, minerals, and even protein. So, grab your garri and let's get cooking! How to make delicious cake from garri.

How Garri will Change the Nutritional Space in Nigeria.( Food Fortification)

Cassava flakes made from fortified yellow garri.

 

The Current State of Garri in Nigeria: Garri has been a staple food in Nigeria for centuries and is consumed by people of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. It is usually made in large batches, either at home or in local garri processing factories. 

Traditionally, this process has been labor-intensive and time-consuming. In recent years, advances in food processing technology have revolutionized the production of garri. With these new machines in place, garri can now be produced using fewer resources and in faster turnaround times. Additionally, modern garri processing machines allow for greater quality control and a higher degree of precision in the product. This shift towards centralized processing has enabled companies to create more hygienic, efficient, and sustainable garri than ever before. It has also led to the emergence of new brands of fortified garri, which are now widely available throughout Nigeria. 

 How Garri is Changing the Nutritional Space: Garri has long been recognized for its high energy content and ability to provide immediate satisfaction for hunger. However, the nutritional content of garri is often overlooked. As more entrepreneurs focus on creating nutritious and high-quality garri, it is quickly becoming the snack of choice for Nigerian families. Due to its high fiber and protein content, as well as its fortification with essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, C, iron, and folic acid, garri is now being recognized as a complete mini-meal. Additionally, it is easy to make and can be stored for long periods of time, making it a great way to get nourishment on the go. 

 Garri is not only providing nutrition but also creating business opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs. Through popularizing fortified garri and advocating for greater awareness about the nutritional benefits of this foodstuff, these entrepreneurs are changing the food space in Nigeria by making garri a more affordable and nutritional snack option for people from all walks of life. 

 The Potential of Garri: Garri has immense potential to address one of the most pressing nutrition challenges in Nigeria – micro nutrient deficiency. Fortified garri can provide an important source of the essential vitamins and minerals that are lacking in the diets of many Nigerians. 

 An increase in the availability and availability of fortified garri could also help to reduce the prevalence of under-nutrition and food insecurity in Nigeria. Furthermore, fortified garri could help to improve academic performance and overall physical and mental health in Nigeria. 

 The Future of Garri in Nigeria: Given the potential of garri as a nutritious snack, it is clear that fortified garri has the potential to revolutionize the availability of micro nutrients in Nigeria. To capitalize on this potential, the Nigerian government needs to encourage more investment in the production and processing of fortified garri. This can be done by creating incentives for businesses to produce this foodstuff, as well as expanding access and affordability of fortified garri in all areas of the country, particularly rural and under served regions. 

 In addition, the government needs to provide more nutritional education and awareness about the benefits of consuming fortified garri to ensure that its citizens are able to make informed decisions about their diets. 

 Conclusion: Garri is a long-standing staple in Nigeria, but it is now undergoing a transformation – and the potential for this nutritional powerhouse to revolutionize the nutritional space in Nigeria is immense.

Switch to cassava(garri) flakes a nutritious alternative.

 Switch to cassava flakes a nutritious alternative.

Cassava flakes as a cereal.

Flakes are a common food in many cuisines. They're made of whole roasted or raw grains and legumes. Many people consume flakes as breakfast, a snack or as a component of their diet. Flakes are also made from garri (Cassava) ,milled grain and include wheat, corn and rice flakes. Apart from providing flavour, protein and other nutrients, flakes can reduce gastrointestinal distress when consumed in excess. 

 Cassava is a popular name for a type of starchy root vegetable. The root vegetable is cooked and served as a side dish in many meals. It's also used in making sweets and desserts. Cassava is rich in calcium, potassium, fiber and vitamins B6, C and E. It's also loaded with fiber, vitamins B6 and C, magnesium, iron and protein. Since cassava is a good source of protein, it's often used to make meat substitutes such as tofu or vegan protein powder. In addition to its nutritional content, cassava is gluten-free and has no known side effects. 

 Many health benefits accrue from consuming cassava flakes; it's a good source of dietary fiber. Fiber is essential for healthy digestion and elimination. 

Furthermore, fiber reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by slowing down the blood rate and controlling blood cholesterol levels. Decreasing cholesterol levels through fiber supplementation decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and stroke. 

 In addition to its nutritional attributes, cassava flakes has a pleasant but mild flavour that blends well with spices. People can easily switch to cassava flakes from other flaked cereals. A lesser-known characteristic of cassava flakes is their antioxidant capacity. 

Free radicals damage cells in the human body by causing oxidative stress- an excessive release of free radicals in the body. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by attracting them and binding them; this prevents damage to the human body's cells. Since cassava flakes are loaded with antioxidants, they're a healthier alternative to other flaked grains. 

 Cassava flakes taste similar to wheat flour with a less granular texture that sinks when cooked. They can be used as an alternative to wheat flour for making cakes, bread, dishes or desserts. Flakes are gaining popularity worldwide due to their benefits as a nutritious snack or meal component. 

Cassava (garri) tastes good and have many culinary uses making them an excellent dietary supplement based on existing consumer demand. The nutritional value of cassava - as well as its other varieties - makes it an ideal base for making flaked foods that appeal to consumers worldwide.