Traditional diets in everyday life: Perspectives from Hispanic Caribbean communities in New York City

Abstract

We utilized key informant interviews to examine traditional diet (TD) perceptions among members of the Hispanic Caribbean (HC) community in New York City (Dominicans, Cubans and Puerto Ricans, n = 23). While the cuisines share many similarities, the interviews revealed differences in how the TDs were evaluated. Cubans emphasized the unhealthiness of their TD, while Dominicans and Puerto Ricans emphasized the importance of their TD in daily life. Participants identified unhealthy aspects of their TDs (predominance of carbohydrates and fried foods, and the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables), and discussed motivations for dietary changes (migration, the demands of new labor routines, health concerns, and spouse/family influence). The analysis demonstrates that distinct ideas, symbols, and meanings associated with TDs reflect how these communities relate to their heritage countries, as a result of distinct migration histories and global forces shaping cuisines and societies in the diaspora and the Caribbean.