Health & Wellness: Nutritional Value of Mauritian Foods
Every culinary culture in the world is built on the theory of great eating habits. But in Mauritius, healthy Mauritian food is created from the best parts of various food traditions around the globe. This fact doubles the wellness effect it carries compared to others.
Mauritian staples are always overlooked in a world full of health-conscious people who are running behind superfoods and diet trends. But the growth of tourism and social media has brought attention to where it deserves.
Are you planning to visit Mauritius or experiment with Mauritian foods at home? This blog will be a great help for you since you’ll find information that will make your food adventure in Mauritius really interesting. Let’s take a trip together to Mauritian food culture.
In This Blog
- The Power of Mauritian Food
- Nutritional Value of Popular Mauritian Foods
- Healthy Cooking Styles in Mauritius
- How to Add Mauritian Foods to Your Diet
- Health Benefits at a Glance
The Power of Mauritian Food
The multicultural nature of Mauritius and its food culture are living examples of the unity of diversity. It shows the world that beauty lies in coming together and staying as a community despite all the differences.
What Makes Mauritian Food Special
The indentured laborers who came from India, China, and Europe made the island into the lively country we see today, which attracts almost 1 million tourists. Their cultural background heavily impacted how they have interacted and influenced each other to create meals that are not only delicious but also nourish the soul.
Look at what makes the Mauritian food culture stand out.
- Lentil curries and roti that are rich in protein and fiber (India).
- Noodles and light stir-fries with seasonal greens and minimal oil (China).
- French-inspired breads and pastries are packed with carbohydrates (Europe).
Why It’s Good for Your Health
Are you looking for ways to improve your health and wellness without following a specific diet? Healthy Mauritian food can do that for you.
- Most meal recipes are built on the local availability of tropical ingredients.
- Mix grains, vegetables, proteins, and spices in each dish to support better health.
- Home-cooked meals and herbal teas will make wellness a part of your lifestyle.
Nutritional Value of Popular Mauritian Foods
| Category | Example food | Key nutrient data (typical / per 100 g or noted serving) | Why it matters | Mauritian note |
| Tropical fruits | Lychee | 66 kcal
71.5 mg vitamin C 1.3 g fiber |
Very high vitamin C → immune support, collagen. | Sold fresh in markets Nov–Jan; eaten raw as a seasonal treat. |
| Mango | 60–67 kcal
60–67 mg vitamin C (varies by variety) has provitamin A present. |
Vitamin A + C → eye health, skin repair. | Ripe mangoes are used in chutneys, juices and salads across summer. | |
| Pineapple | 50 kcal
47–79 mg vitamin C |
Bromelain + vitamin C → aids digestion and inflammation control. | Local ananas (Victoria) are prized for their sweetness, a common beach snack. | |
| Jackfruit | 95 kcal
14 mg vitamin C 1.7 g protein |
Fiber + resistant starch → satiety and gut health. | Used ripe (sweet) and unripe (savory/curried) in home cooking. | |
| Vegetables & greens | Chayote (chou chou) | 19–25 kcal
1.7–2.2 g fiber 10 mg vitamin C |
Low-calorie, hydrating fiber → digestion, blood-pressure support. | Steamed or added to stews. Very common in weekday meals. |
| Taro leaves (bredes) | 35–42 kcal
3 g fiber |
High in vitamins A/C, calcium and potassium → bone & immune support. | Central to bouillon bredes and Creole stews. | |
| Watercress | 11 kcal
Dense in micronutrients. |
Micronutrient-dense leafy green → antioxidant, eye health. | Added to soups or salads for peppery freshness. | |
| Spices & herbs | Turmeric | curcumin 2–9% | Curcumin = anti-inflammatory compound, bioavailability rises with fat/pepper. | Fresh/powdered turmeric is a daily ingredient in many curries and masalas. |
| Curry leaves / coriander | Deliver polyphenols, essential oils and micronutrients | Add antioxidants and digestive benefits. Enhance flavor so less salt/oil is used. | Used in tempering/finishing dishes in Creole & Indian recipes. | |
| Legumes & grains | Lentils (cooked) | 116 kcal
9 g protein 7.9 g fiber |
High protein + fiber → sustained energy, gut health, and an iron source. | Dal and lentil stews are everyday mains that are paired with rice or farata. |
| Rice (white, cooked) | 130 kcal | Source of quick energy, swap with brown/red rice for more fiber. | Staple accompaniment to most Mauritian meals. | |
| Farata / Roti (flatbread) | 250–300 kcal
protein 7–9 g |
Carbohydrates for satiety: choose whole-grain versions to increase fiber. | Farata (local paratha) is regularly served with curries and stews. | |
| Fish & seafood | Red snapper (local catch) | Red snapper: 43 mg EPA + 221 mg DHA per 3 oz (85 g) combined | Source of EPA+DHA omega-3s → heart and brain health (AHA target 250–500 mg/day). | Grilled or curried snapper is a coastal staple, very common fresh in markets. |
| Octopus | 160–164 kcal
29–30 g protein Rich in iron & B12 |
Very lean protein, good iron and B12 content → muscle & blood health. | Often prepared Creole-style (stews, grills) in coastal households. |
Mauritian food health and wellness are never-ending and cannot be integrated into a single blog. But the table above will help you understand how nutritious Mauritian cuisine is. That is one reason why Mauritian food culture is gaining the attention of wellness seekers around the world.
Healthy Cooking Styles in Mauritius
The way this island’s food is prepared plays a crucial role in preserving nutrients, enhancing flavor, and supporting overall wellness. Here’s how traditional cooking styles create differences in the Mauritian kitchens.
Steaming and Boiling
Mauritian people cook vegetables like chayote (chou chou), taro leaves, and watercress by steaming or boiling, which preserves up to 91.4% of vitamin C and minerals. They also steam greens with a pinch of salt and a few curry leaves to infuse a subtle aroma.
Stir-Frying
Stir-frying is not only a cooking method. It is a scientifically proven way of increasing the retention of β-carotene for all vegetables by 2-3 times for better vision and glowing skin. It is a very common food preparation way used in households with Chinese heritage.
Curries and Stews
Curries and stews showcase Mauritius’ Indian and Creole heritage.
- Slow cooking enhances the flavors of every dish.
- Makes fat-soluble nutrients in spices more bioavailable.
- Fish curries have omega-3 fatty acids that support your brain health.
- Spices like turmeric help to reduce inflammation in the body.
How to Add Mauritian Foods to Your Diet
There are several ways you can turn your everyday meal into healthy Mauritian food. Let’s share a few simple tips to make that transition easy for you.
Simple Swaps for Healthier Eating
- Eat more grains super rich in fiber (7/100g) to ease digestion and nutrient intake.
- Increase eating lentils, beans, or chickpeas instead of heavy meat portions.
- Steam or grill instead of frying to reduce unhealthy fats and maintain natural flavors.
- Replace refined oils with cold-pressed coconut oils (MCTs) that support weight management.
Snacks and Drinks
- Moringa tea is rich in antioxidants that control blood sugar and reduce inflammation.
- Lemongrass tea is known for its calming effects that take you into a relaxed state
- Bamboo tea has silica that supports healthy skin, hair, and nails.
- Bois Chéri Tea is famous for its antioxidant values and is a staple in Mauritian households.
Health Benefits at a Glance
Want to take a quick look at what makes Mauritian foods and cooking methods great for overall well-being?
- Boiling and steaming increase nutrient retention.
- Enhanced digestion with 50% soluble fiber from baobab fruit.
- A stronger immune system from guava, providing 4× the vitamin C of oranges.
- Natural energy boost via vitamin C in baobab powder, reducing fatigue.
- Heart-friendly meals with potassium-rich chayote regulate blood pressure.
Conclusion
Mauritius Island is not only rich in diverse cultures but also abundant in nutritious food items that contribute to overall wellness. Nowadays, many health-conscious people adapt to healthy Mauritian food or integrate it into their usual diet for extra benefits.
You don’t have to eat Indian, Chinese, and French dishes separately when you follow Mauritian food culture. But you need authentic Mauritian ingredients to make most of it. Where exactly can you find original Mauritian food items in the UK?
Mauritius Foods Online is the best Mauritian food delivery in the UK, renowned for bringing the flavors of the island all over the UK. We connect Mauritius and the UK by directly collecting ingredients from the country and taking them to homes in the UK.
We source by valuing quality and send by focusing on protective packaging. Ready to taste the beauty of Mauritian food culture? Visit our website to cart your favorite groceries and spices.
