Hispanic Americans are disproportionately burdened by diabetes. Kelly LeBlanc has made it her mission to help change that, by promoting the Latin American Heritage Diet.
“Embracing a Latin American Heritage Diet filled with beans, vegetables, fruits, herbs, whole grains, nuts, and seeds is a delicious blueprint for a healthy living,” LeBlanc, the VP of nutrition programming at Oldways, told The Food Institute.
Oldways, a food and nutrition nonprofit, offers educational programs, resources, and recipes that celebrate the time-honored ingredients of cultures like those of Latin America and Spanish-speaking countries in general. The organization’s research found that, when people abandon their traditional foodways for a Western-style diet, the risk for diet-related disease typically increases.
According to the American Diabetes Association, 11.7% of Hispanic adults have been diagnosed with the chronic disease, compared to just 6.9% of White adults.
According to the American Diabetes Association, 11.7% of Hispanic adults have been diagnosed with the chronic disease, compared to just 6.9% of White adults.
“The Hispanic and Latino community in the U.S. is too often told that the foods they grew up eating are unhealthy, and that poor health is part of their heritage,” said LeBlanc, MLA, RD, LDN.
A Taste of Latin American Heritage, a six-week cooking and nutrition program developed by Oldways, honors the culinary legacy of healthy eating for people of Latin American descent. Participants in the program often report improvements in healthy eating behavior, such as the consumption of fruits and whole grains.
“The Latin American Heritage Diet is not prescription, it is descriptive,” LeBlanc said, in reference to a meal plan that has slowly but steadily gained prominence over the past three decades. “The purpose of a heritage diet is not to say that there’s only one ‘right’ way to eat. The purpose is to celebrate the diversity of foods and flavors that can lead to good health and well-being.”
Those who follow the Latin American Heritage Diet – featuring ingredients like peppers, squash, and seafood – often note that the eating plan helps them balance their meals. Oldways’ heritage diet was developed following guidance from various health experts.
The diet, LeBlanc said, “opens the door to conversations about how healthy eating looks in various cultures. Our focus is on heritage, or cultural food traditions that have long been enjoyed by civilizations around the world.”
F&B businesses looking to seize the opportunity to highlight the Latin heritage diet should consider adding the following to their menu, LeBlanc said:
- Plant-forward dishes
- Ancient grains like quinoa and amaranth
- Nutty sauces and dips, like salsa macha
“Retailers and restaurants should continue to learn about Latin American heritage food traditions and make relevant ingredients and dishes accessible to the wider community,” LeBlanc said.
“Every organization has a role to play in supporting people on their journey to better health.”
