In a time when low carbohydrate fad diets like Keto are the biggest craze, it seems more Native Hawaiians are pulling away from one of the most sacred foods to them – poi.
According to the USDA, in one cup of poi there are 65 grams of carbohydrates. The standard carbohydrate intake on a ketogenic diet is less than 50 grams of carbohydrates in a day.
“Yes they are carbohydrates, but they are also packed with so many vitamins and fiber,” Native Hawaiian Dietitian and Nutrition Coach, Keʻalohi Naipo says, “Research tells us fiber is important for our health like blood sugar management, microbiome health, lowering cholesterol, and promoting fullness to name a few.”
From a cultural standpoint, Kalo, which poi is made out of, is Hawaiian’s direct connection to our ancestors. According to the Kumulipo, or Hawaiian Creation Chant, Kalo was the plant from which Hawaiians were formed.
“Our people are confused,” says Keʻalohi, “now they are replacing these healthful starches with large amounts of proteins like bacon, hamburgers, and boiled chicken because their Doctor told them poi is a bad food.”
Traditionally, there would be a bowl of poi sitting at the family table. When it was uncovered all conflict among family members or people around the table would come to a halt because the spirit of Hāloa, the legendary ancestor of the Hawaiian people, was present.
Food serves for more than our physical health, it also serves our mental, spiritual, and emotional health and wellbeing as well. Overall, the foods we consume have Mana, energy. We are not talking about calories. It’s the Mana from which the food is created from. The more connected to the land and to our ancestors, the more Mana our food possesses and vice versa. Remember, what we consume takes on its own physical manifestation in some shape or form and effects us mentally and spiritually.
“We need to look at food as a whole, not single out an individual nutrient,” Keʻalohi mentions. The more aware we become of where our food comes from and our ancestral ways of preparing and consuming food – the more able we will be to strengthen ourselves in a holistic way that’ll not only benefit ourselves but also our family and community.
To connect with Ke’alohi, follow her on Instagram.
