Environmental Nutrition

The traditional diet of Latin America is vastly different from the westernized versions of foods we've come to know -- images of cheesy enchiladas and greasy tacos are usually conjured up. But Latin cuisine has a fascinating history that includes influences from the ancient Aztec, Mayan and Incan cultures. The cornerstones of the traditional diet are beans, grains, potatoes, tomatoes, chilies, avocados, corn, vegetables, legumes, and spices -- foods health experts now know are part of a disease-protective diet. In addition, the traditional diet includes many healthful habits, such as combining colorful fruits and vegetables, a focus on eating "real" food instead of processed food, and an emphasis on plant proteins such as beans and grilling meats.

Misinterpreting the Latin diet.

Unfortunately, many people perceive the Latin diet to be far from healthy, even though they are exceedingly fond of it. In particular, "Mexican" food has become so engrained in our food culture, today it is considered American comfort food. Unfortunately, many of your favorite south of the border dishes--giant fried tostadas, overstuffed burritos and deep-fried chips with salsa--are far from healthful, leading you to feel downright indulgent when you dine at your favorite Mexican restaurant. And with ample reason, as these dishes are typically weighed down with calories, fat and sodium. But these foods are often Americanized translations, bearing little resemblance to the traditional foods you might find in most Latin countries.

Georgia Orcutt, Program Manager at Oldways, a non-profit organization committed to promoting the health benefits of traditional diets, says, "I think we generally don't understand or value Latin foods, because we don't understand Latin people or their diverse cultures. Latinos come from many countries in Central and South America, as well as Mexico, and they bring a wide range of food traditions with them." While our eating style has been influenced with cultural food traditions from Europe, authentic Latin flair still remains foreign to many Americans. "Chilies, mole, tamarind, jicama and quinoa, while known in areas that have large Latin populations, aren't yet as popular in the U.S., and many people have no idea how to use them," stresses Orcutt, who wishes Latin food had its own Julia Child to draw attention to its delicious flavors. Fortunately, celebrity chefs, like Rick Bayless of Frontera Grill in Chicago, are starting to bring the virtues of healthy, traditional Latin food to the forefront.

Bad influences.

Another major problem with our perception of Latin foods can be credited to health issues, such as obesity and diabetes, that Latinos in the U.S. face. "Many Latinos in this country are not ambassadors for healthy eating. Ironically, their health problems come not from the traditional Latin foods, but from the consumption of soft drinks, fast food and packaged foods. Focus groups show that Latina cooks often know that beans and vegetables are better choices than fast food, but like all of the U.S., they gravitate toward foods that are cheap, fast and easy to find in their neighborhoods," reports Orcutt. Research shows that this is a problem other cultures often share when they move here; as they forsake their own cultural food traditions and their diets become more westernized (high in red meat, refined grains, sugar and fat,) higher levels of obesity and chronic diseases crop up.

Today there is a movement to embrace healthful diet traditions instead of falling into the modern, processed-food trap. Whether you're trying to get in touch with your own healthy Latin American roots, or you'd simply like to include more flavorful, beneficial Latin foods in your diet, look no further: Oldways has developed a Latin American Food Pyramid (oldwayspt.org) that illustrates how to include these fabulous foods into your diet.

Environmental Nutrition is the award-winning independent newsletter written by nutrition experts dedicated to providing readers up-to-date, accurate information about health and nutrition in clear, concise English.

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