Tropical food, spices and flavors are used regularly, if not daily, in most of your drinks and meals. However, not all of us know much about them and how they can transform your quality of life. I think that having permanent easy access to anything you want is not always a good thing. A human being is not meant to feel 100% satisfied, day in and day out. Could this be why there are ever-growing obesity and diabetes problems worldwide?
Maybe…Many people speak about the amazing mind and body benefits of eating more tropical food.
I recently decided to pack my bags and start a new adventure living in an environment that offers a much simpler lifestyle than what I’ve grown up with. The climate is tropical, hot and humid. There are no fancy cars or flashy shopping malls. In addition, you can’t just pop in to the nearest supermarket or restaurant.
It isn’t always easy to get the first thing you’re craving. Fair enough, there are times when this is frustrating. However, it teaches you to think about alternative options. You learn to adapt to living a life that makes you work a little harder for the things you require to survive. Plus you are able to create a healthy lifestyle that is healthy and balanced. It’s not just packed with an excess of ‘stuff.’
Tropical Food Changes Lives
Generally speaking, the Western world and its associated diet is not exactly the healthiest nor the most modest kind of lifestyle. When I think about the big city life, I think about lots of materials, food, money, crime and people. Of course, there are benefits and these things are nice. However, I think people have become too dependent on knowing that they can have whatever they want when they want. It’s almost too easy to overindulge.
It does require a fair amount of courage to make a decision to ditch the conventional Western society and relocate to a small, quiet and simple area. But if you have a plan it’s doable. Or maybe you enjoy the city, in which case, that’s fine as well. But then you should really consider implementing some islander traits into your daily life. For example, where I am based, there are no big fast food chains, supermarkets, and corporates. There aren’t even any major factories. Therefore, any fancy food we get is imported from overseas and generally costs an arm and a leg.
So, what’s left? Well, the freshest of fruits and vegetables, raw nuts, seafood straight from the ocean, legumes, spices, free range eggs, some dairy and nut milk. I have to buy my vegetables and fruits from the local villages. It’s more work because you need to wash them properly before eating, otherwise, you may run the risk of getting sick. You see. Much more work than simply grabbing the refrigerated, washed and ready-to-eat produce you are used to.
Bear in mind that these are probably fresher than the ones your grocery stores will ever have, pesticide-free and straight from the ground. As a result, they probably contain a lot more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. What’s the bottom line? Because you don’t have so much choice, you eat what you have. Therefore, your diet is kept simple, fresh and clean year-round.
Why Eat Tropical Food?
I think the main attraction would be how simple tropical foods are to prepare and eat. Tropical recipes are generally quite light, tasty and filled with tons of healthy properties. They’re also not packed with saturated fats, refined sugars, additives and preservatives that have been associated with a ton of health conditions.
You’re probably thinking to yourselves right now. We live in a colder climate or an urban area, and we’re not about to just pack our bags and elope to a tropical area. Guess what? You don’t have to. Simply try to take in some of these lifestyle habits.
Your budget and responsibilities might not allow for a big move. However, you can transform your menu with traditional tropical flavors in your next meal. It will also be fun because you can get creative and play around with different fresh flavors and fruit. You can also try buying fish instead of red meat and attempt new and exotic dishes. You’d be surprised at how simple they are to make as well.
And these are not the meals you are used to. There’s no need to smother them in creamy, rich sauces or too much dairy. Most of these recipes let the ingredients speak for themselves. The trick to eating healthily all year is to eat locally and seasonally.
Whatever seems freshest. That way you’ll be able to balance your hormones, strengthen your immune system, boost your energy and feel amazing throughout.
Eat More Tropical Food
You need to get in a healthy balance of fruits, veggies, legumes, poultry and dairy. However, it’s so important that you enjoy your food and make it tasty. That’s why tropical diets include lots of spices, chilies, pepper, garlic, ginger and fruit.
Concentrate on eating mainly:
- Root vegetables: carrots, squash, pumpkin and sweet potato
- Whole grains: brown rice, quinoa, oats and millet
- Legumes: beans, chickpeas, lentils, soybeans.
- Green vegetables: broccoli, spinach, kale, celery, rocket and artichokes
- Fruit: apples, pomegranates, citrus fruits and pears
- Fish: sea bass, cod, sole, salmon, red snapper and haddock
- Herbs: ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, rosemary, thyme, basil and dill.
What Does A Tropical Meal Look Like?
The trick, like I said previously, is to keep things simple! Stay away from prepackaged foods! Keep your meals fresh, light and tasty.
Breakfast
Begin your morning with a nourishing, warm bowl of oatmeal made with pre-soaked oats or quinoa, plant-based milk, grated apple, sliced frozen banana, mango or pineapple. Then add in some cocoa powder, ginger and cinnamon with some nuts and seeds of your choice.
Lunch
Always create a healthy balance, combine some kind of grain with root vegetables, legumes and a side of green vegetables to make a macro bowl.
Dinner
Since it’s probably a little chilly where you are, you can make yourself a yummy, hot soup with vegetables and legumes or grains.
Or…
Steam or bake a fish of your choice with a side of vegetables and some sliced fruit.
Feeling A Little Peckish?
Then you can try snacking on some of these:
- Turmeric latte
- Warming herbal teas
- Nuts and seeds
- Greek Yogurt
- Energy balls
- Granola bars
- Fruits
Just remember that this is a suggestion of ideas. There is lots of tropical food available, and you can change up your meals by having grains in the evening and a lighter lunch consisting of a soup or warm salad. It’s up to you to decide how you want to distribute your meals. There are also loads of tropical foods that you can include and varieties of recipes made with different flavors and spices.
But the most important thing is that you adapt your tropical food diet to the seasons. This is crucial for your health and well being, both physically and mentally. Not only will living simply and mindfully make you feel energized throughout the day. You will also be able to avoid getting sick during winter.
