The Caribbean is filled with a plethora of choices when it comes to food and drink. Many of us, when we think of our Caribbean Holidays we picture ourselves on that hammock or beach chair lazing the day away, consuming rich foods and sugar-filled drinks piling on the pounds. However this stereotype does not have to be a reality if you don’t want it. Sure you can have the milky drinks; spiced rums with soft drink; the rich butter filled foods or; the heavy cream entrees but you can also look at the alternatives so when you get back home a new wardrobe, exorbitant gym fees or a visit to your cardiologist will not be on the to-do lists.
In this article, we at Caribbean Insider’s Guide® want to touch a little on the many fruits that grow in abundance in the Caribbean. Fruits are a healthy alternative to many fatty snacks and foods and can be easily stuck into a bag when taking a day-trip or can be consumed in the form of a cool refreshing drink.
Because of the natural climate, rich soils and diverse flora, many fruits can be found throughout the region. Here are just a few of the fruits found in the Caribbean:
Many of these fruits are not indigenous to the Caribbean but can be enjoyed thoroughly with the twists that have been put into their preparation. Many are blended to make delicious (and we mean really delicious drinks). Part of your Caribbean Holidays has to be a trip to a weekend market where you can marvel at the fruits and vegetables and most likely pick up some nice snacks at unbelievable bargains.
Have a fruit juice with your meal. It aids in digestion and gets those vital micro-nutrients into your system. Most of these micro-nutrients are destroyed by cooking so this is a very sensible way to obtain them. Ideally the human body needs about 1 kg (2.2 lbs.) of fruit or vegetable per 50kgs (110 lbs.), so what better way to fill the gap than to consume your fruit drink?
Of course the basics should be adhered to as well. If milk is required, opt for skimmed; if sugar is an essential ask if they have alternative; if a heavy cream is the base, look down the menu, you get the drift.
At breakfast we often see hotels catering for their guests by importing apples, cantaloupes, grapes and so on. A fruit plate is often filled with things you left at your local grocer in the Americas or Europe. Insist on trying something different, try our Caribbean fruits. We at Caribbean Insider’s Guide® know that there will be no regrets, enjoy yourselves, relax, be happy and be healthy.
Fruity options on your Caribbean Holidays
The Caribbean is filled with a plethora of choices when it comes to food and drink. Many of us, when we think of our Caribbean Holidays we picture ourselves on that hammock or beach chair lazing the day away, consuming rich foods and sugar-filled drinks piling on the pounds. However this stereotype does not have to be a reality if you don’t want it. Sure you can have the milky drinks; spiced rums with soft drink; the rich butter filled foods or; the heavy cream entrees but you can also look at the alternatives so when you get back home a new wardrobe, exorbitant gym fees or a visit to your cardiologist will not be on the to-do lists.
In this article, we at Caribbean Insider’s Guide® want to touch a little on the many fruits that grow in abundance in the Caribbean. Fruits are a healthy alternative to many fatty snacks and foods and can be easily stuck into a bag when taking a day-trip or can be consumed in the form of a cool refreshing drink.
Because of the natural climate, rich soils and diverse flora, many fruits can be found throughout the region. Here are just a few of the fruits found in the Caribbean:
Ackee; Avocado; Balata; Banana; Barbadine; Breadfruit; Caimate; Carambola; Cashew fruit; Cherry; Coconut; Date; Doung; Grapefruit; Guava; Guinep; Jackfruit; Lime; Mamisiporte; Mango; Orange; Papaya; Passion Fruit; Peewah; Pineapple; Plums; Pomegranate; Pommerac; Pumpkin; Sapodilla; Sorrel; Sour Sop; Sugar Cane; Sugar Apple; Tamarind; Tangerine; Tomato; Watermelon.
Many of these fruits are not indigenous to the Caribbean but can be enjoyed thoroughly with the twists that have been put into their preparation. Many are blended to make delicious (and we mean really delicious drinks). Part of your Caribbean Holidays has to be a trip to a weekend market where you can marvel at the fruits and vegetables and most likely pick up some nice snacks at unbelievable bargains.
Have a fruit juice with your meal. It aids in digestion and gets those vital micro-nutrients into your system. Most of these micro-nutrients are destroyed by cooking so this is a very sensible way to obtain them. Ideally the human body needs about 1 kg (2.2 lbs.) of fruit or vegetable per 50kgs (110 lbs.), so what better way to fill the gap than to consume your fruit drink?
Of course the basics should be adhered to as well. If milk is required, opt for skimmed; if sugar is an essential ask if they have alternative; if a heavy cream is the base, look down the menu, you get the drift.
At breakfast we often see hotels catering for their guests by importing apples, cantaloupes, grapes and so on. A fruit plate is often filled with things you left at your local grocer in the Americas or Europe. Insist on trying something different, try our Caribbean fruits. We at Caribbean Insider’s Guide® know that there will be no regrets, enjoy yourselves, relax, be happy and be healthy.