With the nation's economy experiencing what has been termed the worst recession in Nigerian history, many Nigerians are looking only at the cheapest way to survive.
Sadly, for a majority of Nigerians that live below world economic standard, meals do not go beyond rice, beans, yam and eba. These foods would have been just enough, however, the economic situation bites so hard and many cannot afford to prepare these meals to a standard that will benefit the body perfectly. Hence the meals are always unbalanced.
Less than 2kg of beef a year
is available to an average Nigerian. About 500,000 cows are required to meet the national demand of the country.
4 eggs a month
An average Nigerian eats. Usual recommendation says that an egg should be consumed by an adult per day.
10 milk litres per head
is a total consumption in Nigeria. Global average is about 40 litres per head
Due to financial difficulties, many Nigerians have neglected other great foods with the essential nutrients needed for life's activities.
One of such foods neglected is milk.
Do not sacrifice your milk!
"Milk is the food with highest nutrient density. So if you have less money to spend - buy milk", say experts.
Now, about two third of the population lives on less than $1 per day, so if you have only 200 naira to spend a day on food, then you have to be critical.
Milk is the food with highest nutrient density. So if you have less money to spend - buy milk.
Milk is widely recognized as a nutritious drink for people of all ages — it's a good source of protein, calcium, vitamin D, potassium and other vitamins and minerals.
Myths about milk
#1: Cow's milk is not designed for humans.
Without scientific studies, many people give this excuse as a reason for not drinking milk. It does sound like it makes sense, right? However, just because cow's milk was designed for calves, it doesn't mean that it's bad for us, or that we shouldn't drink it.
Cow's milk can be good for us and good for calves too.
Myths about milk
#2: After infancy, every other mammal stops drinking milk.
Often we hear people ask, "Aren't we supposed to stop drinking milk past infancy, just like all other mammals?"
Now, the answer is quite simple, should we stop using the internet because other mammals do not? Or should we stop cooking meat just because other mammals eat their food raw?
Obviously No!
Humans are born with advanced analytical abilities compared to other species, thus this gives us the option to drink milk past infancy, an option other mammals don't have.
Myths about milk
#3: Humans should not feed off other species milk
Lactose intolerance as a global excuse
One major global excuse why some people have stopped taking milk is that they are lactose intolerant. For them, this intolerance is proof we're not designed to drink milk as adults.
The prevalence of lactose intolerance — the inability to digest the milk sugar lactose — varies widely among countries and ethnicities.
As all mammals do, human infants produce hefty amounts of lactase, an enzyme that allows the body to digest lactose — without lactase, babies can't digest their mothers' nutrient-rich milk. At around age 5, lactase production decreases, possibly to help facilitate weaning.
But about 7,500 years ago in Central Europe, a genetic mutation popped up, causing some people to produce lactase well into adulthood.
How lactose tolerance initially spread isn't entirely clear. One theory suggests pioneering farmers and their families migrated out of Central Europe with domesticated crops that weren't suited for the new environment.
With poor crops and possibly contaminated water sources, they increasingly turned to cow's milk for sustenance, making it a regular part of their diet.
People who were near starvation and didn't have the mutated gene died of lactose-induced diarrhea, while the adults who produced lactase — and were, therefore, able to digest lactose —thrived, passing on their genes to their offspring.
Yes, it's true some people are lactose intolerant, i.e., they cannot easily digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. It's also true that as we age we may become less tolerant to lactose. This depends on your genetic background.
Lactose intolerance is a valid reason to stop drinking milk, however, there are great innovations that help even those who are lactose intolerant, to be able to have their adequate dose of milk, without necessarily drinking it directly.
Variety is the spice of life
For so many, the fear is that a direct intake of milk will cause them an upset in their stomach's however, there is or there are ways by which one can take milk, without necessarily drinking it directly.
This is where Peak Milk comes in handy. While Peak Milk produces stronger bodies and sharper minds, it does a lot more for you and you can do a lot more with Peak.
For instance, your nourishing and delicious Peak Milk can go from just an essential breakfast complement to an everyday meal component with several different recipes, all thanks to Peak Milk and Pecadomo (Peak Can Do More) campaign.
PeakCanDoMore campaign is aimed to increase opportunities to Nigerians by exploring newer and more innovative ways in which the product can be used other than the known traditional consumption patterns.
Brand believes in continuously finding ways to help Nigerians - individuals and families, present and future - to stay nourished
Dishes that were created at the Peak Can Do More competition
Peak Seafood Fried Rice
Combination of rice, vegetables, seafood and new ingredient "Peak milk".
The meal is not only healthy but easy to prepare and is beginning to gain acceptance in some Nigerian homes.
It's basically entails stir-frying rice cooked with milk with vegetables, seasoning & spices. It is a delicacy every member of the family would love as the inclusion of peak milk makes it richer & creamier.
The reason why milk rice is becoming popular in Nigerian homes is because it is not only rich in nutrient, but it is easy to cook and very pocket-friendly. More so, Nigerians love to eat rice, so, Peak seafood rice is just perfect. Apart from being a delicacy, it also enhances wellbeing with its attendant health benefits.
Milk Eba
Prepared with 1 Tin Peak Evaporated Milk and 250 grams of Gari water.
All one needs to do is dilute the peak milk with 50cl of water and boil, stir in Gari and mix well, allow to cook and serve with any soup of your choice. Yes, that simple.
Why Nigerians should drink milk
Nigeria has a variety of food, however, they all fall under the same classes and often it gets too boring. For many to break out of the monotony, they often need to break a neck.
However, the beauty of the meal is not just in changing what it looks like; it is more of what it contains. Protein is a key factor for our growth, the amino acids are very essential for building our bodies.
It is true that we as Nigerians have a very low budget for meals these days, especially due to the economic crisis. However, if we must make up health wise, for that which we cannot get with our means, then adding milk to our meals becomes very essential.
For healthy teeth, reduction in blood pressure, reduction of risks pertaining to cardiovascular disease, reduction of the chances for obesity, we need milk.
Hence, Nigerians have been advised to explore various ways to include milk in their diet as it remains one of the natural sources of vitamins and minerals, helping in enhancing growth and development of mental and physical performance while also serving as one of the cheapest sources of protein.