This is one of those food questions that sounds simple, but there is a lot of confusion around it.

Yes, ripe plantain can be eaten raw. Green/unripe plantain is very starchy, firm and less sweet, so it is usually cooked because it is difficult to chew and may be less comfortable to digest.

And No raw plantain is not poisonous simply because it is raw.

The bigger question is how you prepare it.

Green plantain provides carbohydrate, fibre and resistant starch. It can fit into a healthy Nigerian diet.

Healthier ways to enjoy plantain include:

• Boiled green plantain + beans + fish + vegetables

• Roasted ripe plantain + beans + fish

• Boiled ripe plantain + egg sauce + vegetables

• Plantain porridge + vegetables + fish

• Oven/air-fried plantain instead of frequent deep-frying

Frying does not automatically make plantain “bad”, but it adds more fat and calories. Portion and frequency matter.

So if someone tells you, “Never eat plantain,” don't panic.

Plantain can absolutely be part of a balanced diet.

How do you prefer yours boiled, roasted or fried?