Encyclopedia of Diets - A Guide to Health and Nutrition

Pacific Islander diet

Origins

The Pacific Ocean—the world’s largest ocean—
extends about 20,000 kilometers from Singapore to
Panama. There are 789 habitable islands within the
‘‘Pacific Islands,’’ a geographic area in the western
Pacific comprising Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micro-
nesia. Polynesia includes 287 islands and is triangular,
with Hawaii, New Zealand, and Easter Island at the
apexes. Other major Polynesian islands include Amer-
ican (Eastern) Samoa, Western Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti,
and the Society Islands. The Hawaiian Islands have
been studied more than most other Pacific islands
primarily because Hawaii is part of the United States
of America. The Melanesian Islands (Melanesia) include
the nations of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, the
SolomonIslandsandNewCaledonia(aFrenchdepend-
ent). The 2,000 small islands of Micronesia include
Guam (American), Kiribati, Nauru, the Marshall
Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Gilbert
Islands, Palau, and the Federated States of Microne-
sia. Migration is very fluid between Polynesia, Mela-
nesia, and Micronesia, and many Pacific Islanders also
migrate to the United States and other countries. Pacific
Islanders are a racially and culturally diverse popula-
tion, and the people of the islands follow a wide variety
of religions.

Description

Eating Habits and Meal Patterns
While the islands are geographically close, the
Pacific Island region is racially and culturally diverse.
The cuisine varies slightly from island to island and is a
blend of native foods with European, Japanese, and
American influences. The cuisine is also influenced by
the Asian Indians, Chinese, Korean, and Filipino agri-
cultural workers who arrived in the eighteenth cen-
tury. Food plays a central role in Pacific Islander
culture; it represents prosperity, generosity, and com-
munity support. Hospitality is extended to visitors,
who are usually asked to share a meal. Even if a visitor
is not hungry, he or she will generally eat a small
amount of food so that the host is not disappointed.
Food is also often given as a gift, and a refusal of food
is considered an insult to the host or giver.

Fruits, fruit juices, vegetables, and nuts (e.g., pea-
nuts, macadamia, and litchi) are eaten in abundance,
while milk and other dairy products are uncommon
(there is a high prevalence of lactose intolerance

among Pacific Islanders). Coconuts are plentiful, and

both the milk and dried fruit are used to flavor meals.

Pigs, chickens, and cows exist on the Pacific Islands,

but in areas like Fiji they are expensive, so local vil-

lagers tend to purchase them only for large celebra-

tions and feasts. Modern conveniences exist in many

areas, but it is not uncommon for villagers to cook on

outdoor fires or kerosene stoves. Many villagers still

eat with their hands, and a bowl ofwateris provided

for washing hands (a guest may request one before the

meal if it is not offered).

Pacific Islanders typically eat three meals a day.

Breakfast usually includes cereal and coffee, while

traditional meals are eaten for lunch and dinner. How-

ever, in areas such as Hawaii, Samoa, and Guam,

traditional foods now contribute only minimally to

daily intake, most of which is made up of imported

foods or fast food.

Traditional Cooking Methods and Food Habits

The traditional Pacific Islander diets are superior

to Western diets in many ways. The weaknesses of the

traditional Pacific Island diets are minimal and the

strengths are immense. Traditional foods are nutrient-

dense, meals are prepared in healthful ways, and oils

are used sparingly. The high-fiber, lowfat nature of

KEY TERMS

Calorie—unit of food energy.

Diabetes—Inability to regulate level of sugar in the

blood.

Heart disease—Any disorder of the heart or its blood

supply, including heart attack, atherosclerosis, and

coronary artery disease.

Hypertension—High blood pressure.

Insulin—Hormone released by the pancreas to reg-

ulate level of sugar in the blood.

Lactose intolerance—Inability to digest lactose, or

milk sugar.

Stroke—Loss of blood supply topart of the brain,

due to a blocked or burst artery in the brain.

Mineral—An inorganic (non-carbon-containing) ele-

ment, ion, or compound.

Vitamin—Necessary complex nutrient used to

aid enzymes or other metabolic processes in the

cell.

Pacific Islander diet