Food gives us energy to play, learn and grow. But not all foods are healthy. In the Caribbean we sort foods into six food groups.
The six Caribbean food groups
| Group | Examples |
|---|---|
| Staples | rice, bread, roti, dasheen, cassava, green fig, sweet potato |
| Legumes and nuts | red beans, pigeon peas, lentils (dhal), channa, peanuts |
| Foods from animals | chicken, fish, eggs, milk, cheese |
| Fruits | mango, orange, pineapple, banana, pawpaw |
| Vegetables | callaloo, carrot, pumpkin, tomato, bodi, ochro |
| Fats and oils | zaboca (avocado), coconut, butter, cooking oil |
A healthy meal
A healthy meal has food from all six groups, or from as many as we can. Lots of fruits and vegetables, some staples and legumes, a little from animals, and only a small amount of fats and oils.
Too much of a bad thing
Sweets, sugary drinks and fried snacks taste nice, but too much can cause tooth decay, make us tired and unhealthy, and lead to illness when we are older. Choose water instead of soft drinks, and fruit instead of sweets.
TRY ITHealthy plate
Choose a game.
Let’s practise
Try each one. Then tap Show answer to check.
1. Name the six Caribbean food groups.
Show answer
Staples, legumes and nuts, foods from animals, fruits, vegetables, fats and oils.
2. Which group is dhal in?
Show answer
Legumes and nuts.
3. Which group is callaloo in?
Show answer
Vegetables.
4. Name one food from animals.
Show answer
For example chicken, fish, egg, milk, cheese.
5. Why is water better than a soft drink?
Show answer
Soft drinks have lots of sugar, which harms teeth and health. Water keeps us healthy.
Quick check
1. What makes a meal healthy?
Show answer
It has food from all (or most) of the six groups, with lots of fruits and vegetables.
2. Which group should we eat only a little of?
Show answer
Fats and oils (and sweets are not a group – only a treat).
3. Is a roti a staple?
Show answer
Yes.
Words to know
Say these words with a grown-up. Can you use each one in a sentence?
food groups · staples · legumes · vegetables · fruits · fats and oils · healthy · balanced meal · energy
Try it at home
- Look at your dinner tonight. Which food groups are on your plate? Which are missing?
- Help plan a healthy lunch box with something from each group.
- Draw a plate and colour in foods from all six groups.
For parents and teachers
After this lesson, your child should be able to:
- name and give examples of the six Caribbean food groups
- explain that a healthy meal has food from all six groups
- describe some effects of eating too many unhealthy foods
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