CHAPTER 14 Non-Hispanic Caribbean American Food Practices BOX 5 (continued)
Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is celebrated by US nationals living in the Caribbean on the fourth Thursday in November, while Canadian nationals celebrate it a few weeks earlier. The foods used vary, according to the inherent nationality of the Americans and the local foods available to them. However, turkey and all its trimmings typically are part of the meal.
Chanukah
Chanukah is the Jewish Festival of Lights that lasts 8 days to commemorate the “Miracle of the Oil.” For the Jewish popula- tion born in the Caribbean or that immigrated there, the celebrations and holidays tied to their faith are still practiced.
319
Counseling Strategies and Considerations Many Caribbean customs, traditions, and practices have been shaped by those migrating from other lands, who in turn have blended their cultures. Te proximity of Caribbean countries and territories to one another has also resulted in the transfer of cultural influences. Te Caribbean’s broad cultural diversity has blended characteristics that have made multiculturalism the norm within island nations, which has made each island country unique. Terefore, interactions with people from the Commonwealth Caribbean require an understanding of their unique cultural and family back- grounds and perhaps the different cultures that may have influenced their food practices and behaviors. Te food practices of those in the US with non-Hispanic Caribbean heritage may also vary widely based on their socioeconomic situation, degree of acculturation, and beliefs about the foods they choose to consume. 23
Nutrition counseling of people with non- Hispanic Caribbean heritage depends heavily on individualized assessment and not on assumptions about their cultural heritage and involvement. Refer to Tips and Strategies for Nutrition Counseling and Care of Non-Hispanic Caribbean Americans on the next page. Chapter 2 addresses general guiding principles for culturally sensitive nutrition assessment, communication, and counseling.