User:Sham201

The multimix principle

The Caribbean six food groups are staples, legumes, animal foods, fruits, vegetables, and fats and oils (5).The staples group — which includes rice, ground provisions (tubers), wheat, oats, corn, and starchy fruits — is always represented at each meal and forms the foundation of the Caribbean diet.Animal foods include fish, red meat, and poultry, as well as eggs and dairy products.According to the multi-mix principle, four of the six food groups — staples, animal foods, vegetables, and legumes — are fundamental to building practical, nutritionally balanced meals.This principle pairs food groups strategically so that meals provide a complement of essential nutrients through two-, three-, or four-mix combinations.These groups were chosen due to the fact that these groups will provide the highest nutritional content. From the these groups, the meal planned will contain the highest content of nutrients.

The four foundation groups are used in different combinations to create the multi-mix principle. The multi-mix principle is based on the premise that a mixture of foods eaten together will complement each other to ensure an adequate intake of essential nutrients. The four foundation groups can be used in different combinations to form three types of multi-mixes. These are:


 * Double mix or two-mix – two food groups are represented
 * Triple mix or three mix – three of the food groups are represented
 * Quadri-mix or four mix – all four of the foundation food groups are represented

Regardless of the mix, the Staples group should always be used at each meal.

The Double mix (two mixes) combinations

The double mix is the most economical meal plan. The right mix must be ensured so that it contains all the essential amino acids in the correct proportions.


 * 1) Staples – Cereal + Legumes e.g. Rice and Peas or Toast and Baked Beans

Cereal + Food from Animals e.g. Macaroni and Cheese; Rice and Baked Fish


 * 1) Staples – Provision + Food from Animals e.g. Mackerel Rundown and Green Bananas

Provision staple must be mixed with food from animals for the meal to contain protein of high biological value.

A meal of a starchy staple food with a dark green leafy or orange vegetable does not give enough nourishment for growth. It is not good enough for babies, young children, or pregnant or breast-feeding women.

Triple mix (three mixes) combinations

Staples-Cereal + Legumes + Vegetable e.g. Rice and Peas with Glazed Carrots

Staples-Provision + Food from Animals + Vegetable e.g. Ripe Plantain with Salt Fish and Callaloo

Staple + Food from Animals + Legumes e.g. Stewed Beef and Pigeon Peas and Rice

Quadri-mix (four mixes) combinations

All four foundation groups are included; therefore this meal is of the highest nutrient value.


 * Cereal +Legume + Food from Animals + Vegetable

Boiled Dumplings + Stewed Beef + Broad Beans + Carrots


 * Ground Provision + Legume + Food from Animals + Vegetables

Boiled Yam + Stewed + Oxtail + Pumpkin