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At a community gathering I offered people the opportunity to try raw foods such as: vegetables, fruits, herbs, edible flowers, seeds, oils, vinegars and condiments. People joined in to create delicious and colorful dishes. They experimented mixing familiar ingredients in ways unusual to them.
Some of the comments from the participants:
"I didn't know that fruits and vegetables can be mixed in the same dish. I am going to try it at home, too."
"We always make tabouleh at home but I never put all these ingredients in it - such as pumpkin seeds"
 People got involved, discussed their likes and dislikes and tried different ingredients and mixed delicious salads.
Their efforts resulted in these colourful, delectable and delicious creations. People shared these and commented on how they might eat them at home. They were pleasantly surprised when tasting them.
When we eat culturally specific foods we need to consider effects on health due to climate, availability etc.
Major concerns from The Department of Health related to minorities' diets:
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high salt intake
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lactose intolerance
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vitamin D deficiency disease
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iron deficiency in Asian women
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higher incidence of diabetes
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coronary heart disease
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hypertension - African, Caribbean and Asian communities
Example - Vegetarian diet lacking in vitamin B and Iron
For example the Gujarati vegetarian food is very balanced, however, eating foods such as white flour, white sugar and greater use of salt can lead to lack of nutrients, affect blood pressure and cause anaemia.
Tip: Include plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds in your diet wherever possible. Choose wholemeal breads, and supplement your diet with Linseeds which are high in Omega 3 and eat plenty of green leafy vegetables for Iron.
The Bangladeshi diet which is traditionally based on fish and fresh vegetables has been replaced with greater use of red meats (often of poor quality.)
Tip: Visit local farmers markets for good quality fresh produce and meats. Freshly caught fish can be found in local seaside towns.
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Higher cases of heart disease, anaemia, diabetes and incontinence.
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Low levels of fitness due to lack of exercise.
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Mental health issues that affect black and minority ethnic people such as depression which is made worse due to social and cultural isolation.
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Get plenty of exercise; walking, swimming, yoga, etc. (Consult your doctor before taking up exercise.)
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Pay attention to buying locally grown produce for maintaining good health.
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Join community groups such as TACMEP's monthly drop-ins to make new friends in your area. Get involved with volunteering.
TACMEP can help by putting you in contact with relevant people who can provide professional advice. We also offer advice about patient choice.
LINk (Local Involvement Network)
As an NHS and Social Care services user you can now get involved. There is a local forum in Colchester and Tendring which you can attend. You can contribute to the work of LINk and make a difference by helping improve health and social care services. This will give you a chance to speak up about the treatment you or someone you know has received from a GP, hospital or any other health care provider. You can also bring issues about social care services to this forum. It is not able to deal with individual complaints but it will take these concerns to relevant policy makers.
For more details look at:
www.essexandsouthendlink.org.uk
If you want to participate in the Colchester and Tendring LINk forum contact Vibha at vibha@tacmep.org.uk or 01206 500471 / 0787 9040 943
Registering with a G.P. When you first register with your G.P. (General Practitioner/doctor) you will be given an NHS number. If you are a UK resident and over 16 years old, you can register with a GP of your choice if you have lived in that area for more than 3 months. Take your NHS card with you. Check any letters for appointments, etc. that it has your NHS no. and name. NHS no. is not the same as NI (National Insurance) no. NI is for Tax and Pensions purposes.
If you have lived in an area for less than 3 months, you can ask to be seen as a temporary resident. If you are a student you need to register in the area you are going to live most of the year. When you go home, you can be seen as a temporary resident.
Choose and Book If your doctor refers you to a hospital or clinic you can choose and book your own appointment. You can choose and book a place, date and time. You can do this at GP surgery, at home by telephone and over the internet in your own time.
North Colchester Health Centre: Open every day Mon-Sun from 7:00 am to 22:00. You can walk-in and do not need an appointment in advance. You need to register when you first use it. You will need a photo of yourself and proof of residence. You can make an appointment with a nurse for a new patient health check.
You can ask for interpretation at the GP surgery. You need to tell whoever is making an appointment for you to let the surgery know that you will need health information and interpretation in your language.
Diagram/info of health services: Cornerstone, Surgery & Clinics, Walk in Centre, Hospital/s, Dentists (Private & NHS)
Diabetes UK
www.diabetes.org.uk
National Stroke Association
www.stroke.org.uk
British Heart Foundation
www.bhf.org.uk
Sickle Cell Society
www.sicklecellsociety.org
For advice on finding a GP
www.nhs.uk
See also the Government Paper (PDF)
Food Safety, Choice and Nutrition Issues of Ethnic Minority Communities
Article by Jane Thomas - Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Kingļ?½s College London
Nutrition Intervention in Ethnic Minority Groups
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