Mexican Food Not Only Healthy for You It Taste Great Too
July 29, 2008
If you ask the majority of Americans on when the last time they ate Mexican food was, usually it is within the last week. Mexican foods have become very popular in the United States. The problem is that the Mexican foods in America are not the same as they are in Mexico. Americans have added super fat and super sized the meals. If you go down to Mexico, you may not even find the same dishes because the dishes were created in America. Authentic Mexican food is rich in fresh vegetables, protein, and nutritious vitamins and spices.
Perhaps the most famous Mexican food eatery outside Mexico is Taco Bell. This is a popular fast food chain, serving burritos, quesadillas, and tacos to Mexican food lovers all over America. A lot of Americans who have not visited Mexico or an authentic Mexican food restaurant might be unaware that in Mexico you won’t get a large platter of tortilla chips with your meal and you won’t get a nutritionally depleted meal which is made in bulk with cheap ingredients, frozen and reheated in the microwave. American style Mexican food is high in calories, sodium, and fat and low in fresh vegetables.
Taco Bell is a popular American food chain, serving quesadillas, tacos, burritos and more. Mexicans do not normally eat large platefuls of tortilla chips or fat laden dishes. The Mexican food sold in the United States is less healthy than the real Mexican recipes, higher in sodium, calories, and fat and lower in vegetable content. Some Mexican dishes served in American restaurants are nothing like the original Mexican recipes they were based on.
Traditional Mexican dishes are usually healthy Mexican food. Tomatoes, which are used in a lot of traditional Mexican recipes contain lycopene, which fights cancer, and are rich in vitamins. This does not mean you should not enjoy American style Mexican food but you can make it healthier if you make your own or visit Mexican fast food outlets less often.
Mexican Food for a Healthy Heart
Beans are high in protein and fiber and can be added whole to recipes rather than refried because this cuts back on fat. Corn is a common Mexican food addition, which can maintain a healthy heart. It contains fiber and is high in vitamin content. Adding such ingredients as corn, whole beans and tomatoes to your Mexican recipes can promote health and cut back on fat while maintaining a great Mexican flavor in your dishes.
So, do Mexicans eat healthily? Well, there are plenty of health food stores in America where we can buy healthy food alternatives and there are also health food stores in Mexico. In fact, over $500 million is spent on health foods yearly in Mexico. Not everybody can afford to pay more for health foods however.
The consumers make up 5 percent of Mexico’s population. Their age range is from 20 to 50 years old. They usually live in metropolitan areas and can afford to buy these types of healthier foods. If they cannot afford it, they still are not getting all the fats and calories that we find in American foods, especially fast foods. Authentic Mexican foods still carry many vegetables and ingredients that are good for your body, and the way the food is cooked is healthier.
The Food Pyramid and Healthy Mexican Food
The food pyramid is a drawing used to show the percentages of proteins, fat, carbohydrates and other foods which make up a healthy diet. For example, fried foods and sugars occupy a small space at the top of the food pyramid, since you should eat these infrequently. American has fattened up traditional Mexican recipes so it is a good idea to choose authentic Mexican restaurants or make your own homemade healthy Mexican food.
Comments
