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A Healthy Heart is Just One Benefit from Healthy Mexican Food

Mexican foods are very popular throughout the United States and many Americans enjoy eating Mexican cuisine as regularly as once a week. The problem with this is that Mexican foods in America have changed considerably from the authentic Mexican recipes. Americans have super-sized the portions and added fat. Many American style Mexican dishes are not even available in Mexico because they were invented in America. Traditional Mexican recipes are rich in fresh vegetables and protein. Nutritious vegetables are frequently used and spices are used for flavoring rather than artificial flavorings or a lot of added fat. Unfortunately, these delicious authentic recipes are seldom used in their American style equivalent recipes and healthy Mexican food can be hard to find north of the border.

Healthy Mexican Food versus Unhealthy Mexican Fast Food

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.

Most traditional Mexican dishes have less fat and calories. This does not mean you cannot enjoy the foods served in American restaurants. You can add more healthy foods to the dish. Tomatoes are high in vitamins and have Lycopene, which has cancer-fighting properties.

Authentic Mexican dishes usually contain fewer calories and less fat. This does not mean you should not visit fast food restaurants or avoid Mexican food altogether but you should watch what you are eating. This means adding healthy ingredients to the Mexican dishes you prepare yourself. Tomatoes, for example, contain lycopene, which fights cancer, and also contain plenty of vitamins.

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.

You may be wondering if people in Mexico eat healthier foods. In America we have the choice to go to health food stores where we can find organic foods and foods not as fattening. The only drawback is that not everyone can afford to buy these foods whenever they grocery shop. In Mexico, healthier choices are available. Each year the health food market in Mexico makes over $500 Million.

Five percent of the population of Mexico regularly consumes health foods. They range from twenty to fifty in age and normally live in metropolitan areas where health food shops are located. Even Mexicans with less money eat more healthily than most Americans. Traditional Mexican recipes are healthier than a lot of American recipes and Americanized Mexican dishes. In addition, Mexicans use different cooking methods and do not use fattening cooking methods such as deep-frying as often as Americans do.

Mexican Food is Healthy - Food Pyramid

You are probably wondering again, is Mexican food healthy for me. Authentic Mexican dishes are, because they carry many vitamins and are generally low in fat. America has fattened up the Mexican dishes making them not a good choice. If you want to go out to eat, try avoiding the major Mexican food chain restaurants. Find a restaurant that serves authentic dishes. It is healthier and will taste even better knowing you are giving your body good foods.