Caribbean Diet Emphasizes Traditional Plant-Based Foods and Local Seafood for Cardiometabolic Health
Traditional Caribbean diets are characterized by fiber-rich, plant-based foods such as cassava, yam, sweet potato, plantain, and legumes. Locally sourced seafood provides lean protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and vitamins A and D. A cross-sectional study in Puerto Rico involving 989 adults found that a neo-traditional dietary pattern, rich in local plants and seafood, was associated with a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome and reduced waist circumference. This pattern included higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, herbs, legumes, tropical roots, and leafy greens. However, the observational and cross-sectional nature of the study means it cannot establish a causal link between the diet and these health outcomes. The traditional Caribbean diet reflects a long-standing relationship between local agriculture, fishing, home food production, and culinary traditions, with fresh herbs and spices commonly used in home-prepared dishes.
