CUBA
By Sitira Pope and Richard Munoz
Cuba History
• Largest island in the Caribbean
• Communist Country
• Fidel Castro – President from 1976-2008
• Designated Successor-Raul Castro
• Tropical island
• Cuba is a multi-ethnic country and the people, culture and
customs come from diverse origins such as:
• Spanish, African and European descent
• Many Cuban Americans live in the Miami area which is
sometimes called “Little Havana”
Cuban History
• Mixing of different
ethnicities has inspired:
• fusion of different
flavors, dishes and
seasoning in Cuban
Culture
• Cuban Culture is
strongly woven into
their traditions of
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Food
Music
Dance
Religion
Family
Family
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Patriarchal role
High Family Values
Elderly are well respected
Godparents are
significant in childbearing
High Morals
Marriage
Loyalty
Importance of retaining
Cuban heritage
Infant Feeding Practices
• Breast feeding is infrequent among Cuban women in
the U.S.
• Switched to bottle feeding after two to three weeks
• Whole milk and evaporated milk are frequently used
for infants
• Solid Foods are introduced at an early age
Religion
• Catholicism
• Main religion practiced
among Cubans
• Most Cuban Americans are
Roman Catholic
• Santeria-The Yoruba
Religion
• Means “The way of the
Saints”
• Other religions include:
• Protestant and Judaism
Religious Beliefs
• Fate determines life and death
• Prayer and lighting of candles to Saints
help maintain health
• Spiritual Healing
• Dietary Practices
• Very rarely follow any religious diet
restrictions
• “Religious faith and practice have not been
as influential in the culture of Cuba as in
other Latin American nations”
NochebuenaNight of Christmas Eve
• Roasting of the pig is a
big event on Christmas
Eve.
• Most festive night of the
year.
• The coming together of
family and friends
• Accompanied by games,
drinking, dancing and
followed by Mid-night
Mass.
Traditional Food Habits
• Cuban cuisine has been influenced by
• Spanish, French, British, Portuguese, Dutch, African
• Food is basic
• Due to a high rate of poverty on the island and food rationing
system
• Makes many dishes easy to cook
• Use very natural methods of agriculture and raising livestock
• Staple foods
• Bread, rice, beans, peppers, onions, tomatoes, roots, tubers
• Special Occasions: pork, chicken, or beef
• Staple seasonings
• Cumin & Oregano
Health
• Good healthcare system in Cuba
• Family Doctors
• Use patient history to diagnose illness
• Not a lot of obesity
• Although in recent years, we have seen
a rising number due to a high
carbohydrate intake
• Type II Diabetes
• Over 16% of Cuban-Americans have
diabetes
• Malnutrition
Ethnic Dish
• Moros y Christianos Rice
• Black Beans & Rice
• Translates to “Moors and
Christians”
• Influenced by Spanish
• Commemorates the
Reconquista – prolonged
period of fighting between
Christians and Muslims
• Influenced by revolution and
breakdown of U.S. relations in
1961
• Food imports were cut off
• Food rationing system forced a
change in diet
• Poverty also played a role
Recipe
• Sofrito is the base of many
Cuban dishes
• Onions, garlic, peppers,
tomatoes, cumin, onion,
garlic, bay leaf, & olive oil
• Other Ingredients:
• rice & black beans
• Keys for Preparation
• Soak beans overnight OR
boil for 2 minutes, remove
from heat and let stand for
1-2 hour(s)
The Black Bean
• Legumes are not only cheap, but
they are great sources of many
nutrients
• Varied diets low in fat, high in fiber,
and contain plenty of fruits and
vegetables can protect against:
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Heart disease
Hypertension
Stroke
Some caners
• Good sources of protein, fiber, iron,
B vitamins, potassium, and
magnesium
Nutrient Profile Comparison
Original Recipe
Modified Recipe
Amount Per Serving (5)
Amount Per Serving (5)
Calories
324.2
Calories
331.1
Total Fat
11.8 g
Total Fat
12.6 g
Saturated Fat
1.7 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.2 g
Saturated Fat
1.8 g
Polyunsaturated Fat
1.5 g
Monounsaturated Fat 8.3 g
Monounsaturated Fat 8.6 g
Cholesterol
0.0 mg
Cholesterol
0.0 mg
Sodium
2,099.6 mg
Sodium
941.5 mg
Potassium
405.3 mg
Potassium
422.4 mg
Total Carbohydrate
47.3 g
Total Carbohydrate
47.5 g
Dietary Fiber
6.6 g
Dietary Fiber
8.4 g
Sugars
4.2 g
Sugars
4.2 g
Protein
8.4 g
Protein
8.8 g
Nutrient Profile Comparison
Original Recipe
Modified Recipe
Vitamin A
4.9%
Magnesium
15.1%
Vitamin A
4.9%
Magnesium
24.9%
Vitamin B-6
17.1%
Manganese 43.3%
Vitamin B-6
21.2%
Manganese
73.7%
Vitamin C
90.1%
Niacin
10.4%
Vitamin C
90.1%
Niacin
12.3%
Vitamin E
9.3%
Pantothenic
Acid
5.6%
Vitamin E
10.4%
Pantothenic
Acid
5.3%
Calcium
6.1%
Phosphorus
13.6%
Calcium
6.2%
Phosphorus
19.2%
Copper
12.1%
Riboflavin
4.2%
Copper
14.6%
Riboflavin
5.2%
Folate
36.8%
Selenium
11.9%
Folate
24.2%
Selenium
18.2%
Iron
21.1%
Thiamin
22.3%
Iron
17.5%
Thiamin
19.5%
Zinc
8.5%
Zinc
10.3%
Recipe Modifications
• Many Cuban dishes have a high content of starches
• Change white rice to brown rice
• Eating white rice has been shown to increase risk of
diabetes
• Replacing servings of white rice with brown rice has been
shown to lower risk
• Lowering the sodium content
• Lowers: hypertension, risk of heart disease, poor bone
development, dehydration, breathing difficulties, and
electrolyte imbalances
Counseling Tips
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Learn cultures Customs and foods
Respect and understand culture health practices and beliefs
Having knowledge about dietary customs
Assist in implementing strategies for care
Visit restaurants, sample foods, interview people
Seek Spanish interpreter if they are not comfortable with
English
• Be formal
• High Context communication style
• Consider the family when decision-making
References
1.Buscemi I, Charles BSN, RN. Diabetes: A Cuban-American Perspective. PubMed. 2000; 18(10):635-638.
http://tb4c3en3e.search.serialssolutions.com/?ctx_ver=Z29.882004&ctx_enc=info%3Afi%2Fenc
%AUTF-8&&RFR_ID=info:sid/summon.serialssolutions.com. Accessed September 12,
2.Cuba. Latin Family Values. Available at: http://latinfamilyvalues.com/cuba/. Accessed 2013.
3.Countries and Their Cultures. Culture of Cuba. Available at: http://www.everyculture.com/Cr-Ga/Cuba.html.
Accessed n.d.2013.
4.Deddy D. Insight Cuba. The Cultural Differences Between Cuba and America: An Unbiased Look. Available at:
http://insightcuba.com/blog/2013/01/18/the-cultural-differences-between-cuba-and-america-an-unbiased-look.
Accessed January 18, 2013.
5.Dixon Z, Gundupalli D, Huffman FG, Vaccaro JA, Zarini GG. Acculturation and Diabetes Self-Management of Cuban
Americans: Is Age a Protective factor? Ageing Int. 2012; 37:195-209.
6.History of Cuban Cooking. The Real Food University Website. http://www.realfooduniversity.com/theTraditional-diet-of-cuba/. Published 2008. Accessed September 15, 2013.
7.Jermyn L, Sheehan S. Cultures of the World: Cuba.2nd ed. Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark; 2005
8.Kittler PG, Nelms MN, Sucher KP. Food and Culture. 6th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning; 2012.
References
9.Llamas B, Maier X. A Taste of Cuba. Northampton, MA: Interlink Books. 2005
10.Lindgren, Glenn M., and Rail Musibay. Three Guys From Miami Cook Cuban. Salt Lake City: Gibbs
Smith; 2004. Print.
11.The Neglected, Nourishing Bean. (cover story). Harvard Health Letter. September 1998; 23(11):1.
Ipswich, MA. Accessed. September 16, 2013.
12.Personal interview with Yeraldine Ordonez via Phone. August 28, 2013
13.Raichlen S. In Miami, Christmas Eve Means Roast Pig. The New York Times. Available at:
http://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/22/dining/in-miami-christmas-eve-means-roast-pig.html. Accessed
December 22, 1999
14.Rodriguez, Hector. Cuban Food Profile. The About Website. http://latinfood.about.com/od/cuba//cuba
_food.htm. Published 2010. Accessed September 15, 2013.
15.The Traditional Diet of Cuba. Real Food University Page. Available at:
http://www.realfooduniversity.com/the-traditional-diet-of-cuba/. Accessed 2013.
16.Willet, Walter. Weight Changes and Health in Cuba. PubMed. 2013. BMJ (Clinical Research
Ed.);346(7903):10.http://tb4cz3ene3e.search.serialssolutions.com/?genre=article&spage=f177&SSIssnh=175
6-1833&SS eissnh=1756-1833&SS
sid=info%3Asid%2Fsummon.serialssolutions.com