An occasion in Wilmington encourages Latino families to reassess their dietary habits, maintain cultural traditions, and combat persistent health issues related to chronic illness.
In a recent event, nutrition specialist Guadalupe Castaneda from the University of Delaware led a thought-provoking discussion on the link between food access, education, and chronic illness in the Latino community. The event, part of the Primer Estado civic engagement series produced by News in collaboration with Hoy en Delaware, was held in a hybrid format, allowing community members to attend in person or online.
Castaneda highlighted several nutritional challenges faced by Latino families in Delaware. One of the main issues is the lack of culturally tailored nutrition education and resources, making it difficult for Latino families to understand and adopt healthier eating habits that align with their cultural food preferences. Language barriers also impede access to nutrition information and government food assistance programs such as SNAP and WIC.
Immigrant families often express fear or confusion regarding eligibility and participation in public nutrition assistance programs, resulting in underutilization of these services. This is exacerbated by higher rates of diet-related conditions like diabetes, which are often compounded by limited access to diabetes self-management education and culturally appropriate support.
Castaneda emphasised the importance of portioning meals appropriately for a healthier lifestyle, as nutritional needs differ between individuals. She introduced a visual nutritional guide, suggesting that half of a healthy plate should be vegetables. However, according to Castaneda, only 12% of the population in Delaware consumes fruits and vegetables.
One in three adults in Delaware has obesity problems, according to data from the Department of Health. Castaneda pointed to health issues that disproportionately affect Latino communities, such as obesity and diabetes. She also highlighted the federal government's consideration of cuts to programs like EBT and SNAP, which places added pressure on families.
Despite these challenges, Castaneda reminded the audience that food is the foundation of our lives, and learning to eat and balance meals by portioning them leads to a better quality of life. She led a live demonstration of a plant-based burrito recipe, offering a real-time example of healthy, flavorful, budget-friendly, and culturally relevant eating.
Local food banks and community initiatives in Delaware, such as those coordinated by the Food Bank of Delaware and Our Daily Bread, are crucial in providing accessible and culturally sensitive food support. However, they also suggest underlying unmet needs due to volunteer capacity and outreach challenges.
Community organizations and food banks remain available resources for families, and the website is a source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information, relying on financial support from readers. The event focused on the nutritional struggles faced by Latino families in the U.S. and how to preserve culinary traditions while protecting health. This story was funded by a coverage subsidy from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
- Guadalupe Castaneda, a nutrition specialist from the University of Delaware, stressed the significance of portioning meals for better health and wellness, as nutritional needs vary between individuals.
- One of the challenges faced by Latino families in Delaware is the lack of culturally tailored nutrition education and resources, which can hinder their ability to adopt healthier eating habits in line with their cultural preferences.
- Diet-related medical-conditions, such as diabetes, occur at higher rates in Latino communities and are often compounded by limited access to education and resources about self-management.
- Traveling offers opportunities to experience different cultural cuisines, but it's essential to maintain a balanced approach to fitness-and-exercise, nutrition, and health-and-wellness while exploring new destinations.
