Get the Facts About Jamaican Food – It’s Healthy!

People trying to stick to a healthy diet often look to Jamaican food for tasty ideas. This type of food consists mainly of meat, fish and vegetables seasoned with a variety of medicinal herbs. These ingredients have varying degrees of nutritional value that are outlined here.

Jerking is a popular cooking method for preparing poultry, vegetables and meat. The food is seasoned with spices and cooked on a grill to preserve the food. Sea salt, pepper and allspice are combined to create a jerk sauce. Curry is a popular spice used in poultry, seafood, and vegetables. Goat curry is a dish that many people enjoy.

Another ingredient often used in jerk sauce is pimento. This substance is used to treat an upset stomach. The dried berries of this plant resemble black pepper. Lauric acid is the active ingredient found in coconut oil. This acid is responsible for raising the levels of HDL in the blood and reducing the risk of heart disease. It can be used to fight viruses, bacteria and inflammation as well. Callaloo is a vegetable that is rich in various vitamins and minerals and is served as a side dish in any Negril restaurant you visit. This leafy food is a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, phytochemicals, calcium, iron and flavonoids.

Breadfruit can be roasted or boiled and used to make punch, patty, cake, gizzada, wine, flour and pudding.  Plantains are helpful in treating constipation and ulcers. They will also keep blood pressure low and provide protection against heart disease. Other foods that are popular in this type of cuisine are sweet potatoes, chocho, Jamaican yams, avocados, cassavas and coco.

The timing of spicing the food is the key to great Jamaican cuisine. Charcoal stoves are often used to prepare this type of food because it provides the optimum cooking temperatures and brings out the individual flavors of the ingredients. Oil is used sparingly in this cooking method. Properly prepared, Jamaican food is a delicious addition to any healthy diet.