By The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised people to eat more foods rich in iron, folate, and vitamins A and B12 to prevent anaemia, a condition that remains widespread in Nigeria, especially among pregnant women and young children.
In an infographic posted on its official X account on Monday, the global health body listed lean red meats, fish, poultry, legumes such as beans and lentils, dark green leafy vegetables, orange and yellow vegetables, and fortified cereals as everyday foods that can protect against the condition.
The WHO also recommended vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges, which help the body absorb iron from meals.
According to the WHO, anaemia occurs when the blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. Common signs include persistent tiredness, dizziness, paleness of the palms and eyes, and shortness of breath during ordinary activities. In pregnant women, untreated anaemia raises the risk of complications during childbirth, while in children it can affect growth and learning.
Many of the recommended foods are already staples of the Nigerian diet. Local options include:
- Beans, moin moin, and akara, affordable legumes rich in iron and folate
- Ugu (fluted pumpkin), efo tete, and other dark leafy vegetables — best eaten with a squeeze of lime or alongside oranges to boost iron absorption
- Fish, chicken, and liver, animal sources that supply iron and vitamin B12
- Carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin, orange vegetables rich in vitamin A
Health authorities advise anyone experiencing persistent weakness, dizziness, or unusual paleness to visit a health facility for a simple blood test rather than self-medicating, as anaemia can also result from causes beyond diet, including malaria and worm infestation, which require their own treatment.
