In celebration of Black History Month, Iet’s get back to our roots when it comes to healthy living. What do I mean? Getting back to your roots can mean different things to different people and can take various forms when it comes to healthy living. For example, from the rhythmic, therapeutic, and uplifting effects of our music; being embraced in the warmth and support that comes with being part of a strong community; to our eclectic cuisines with the tantalizing depth of alluring tastes and flavours that awakens your taste buds. For this article, my focus is on the latter. Getting back to our roots, and the benefits of re-embracing our ancestral cuisines, many made from fresh plants, fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices and other produce, traditionally picked directly from the land.
While what I speak about can apply to other countries, I will look at Jamaica, where, for example, many of the foods passed down through generations are tasty and healthy. Take the renowned Jamaican Jerk, that originated with the Taino tribe (agricultural people), was built upon by the Maroons, and have been further transformed over many years to what it is today, a proud staple, fully embedded in Jamaican cuisine and culture. For anyone less familiar with Jerk, the meat is well marinated with a variety of spices and slow-cooked over a wood fire or grill. The results, a depth of flavour and pure deliciousness. This is one of the healthier ways of cooking meats.
Now, let’s look at Jamaica’s national fruit, the ackee. It has a wide range of nutritional benefits – full of essential amino acids; Omega-6 fatty acids; is a good source of protein, dietary fibre, vitamins A and C, calcium, potassium, magnesium and more. Ackee and saltfish, one of my favourites, has gained in popularity over the years. Even its accompaniments such as sweet potatoes (vitamin A, C, manganese, fibre, etc), yellow yam (high in vitamin C, fibre and potassium), green bananas (packed with fibre and is prebiotic, as well as probiotic), and breadfruit (rich in amino acids and is a healthy bread replacement) are packed with important nutrients. If you are looking for a dumpling or two to go with your ackee, my suggestion, opt for boiled or baked using whole wheat flour – also delicious.
Other examples:
– Callaloo, considered a superfood, is another popular Jamaican food staple. It is high in various vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium and potassium.
– Herbs and spices that demonstrate Jamaica’s vast cultural diversity are also highly nutritious – e.g., allspice, cloves, turmeric, cumin, ginger, thyme, onions, garlic – to name a few, all packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
– Meats – curried goat, which has become a favourite for many, is a lean, high-quality protein. Chicken and fish are also healthy protein sources.
– We can’t forget about rice and peas – beans are a great source of protein and packed with nutrients (you can opt for brown rice or basmati rice to increase the nutritional value).
– Avocado and coconut – has healthy fats.
– Plantain – which has antioxidants that help control inflammation (i.e. flavonoids and phenols) and is full of magnesium, potassium and more.
Hungry yet? These are only a fraction of the nutritious foods that have been an important part of the Island diet for centuries. Not only are they delicious, they are also unprocessed and minimally processed. Yes, they may take a bit more time to prepare, but the long-term health benefits are worth it. Let’s get back to our roots with healthy eating!
Do you have thoughts about this subject or suggested topics on healthy living that you would like us to explore? Share them with us here: info@latropiqua.ca.
