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A lot of Americans consider Mexican food as being one of their favorite cuisines and many Americans consume Mexican food at least once a week. Mexican recipes are well loved throughout the United States but Americanized Mexican recipes and authentic Mexican recipes often differ greatly. Americans are fond of adding extra fat and super-sizing their portions. If you visit Mexico, you might not even find the same dishes because Americans have created their own versions of a lot of them. Traditional Mexican food contains a lot of fresh vegetables, vitamins, spices, and proteins, the portion sizes are smaller, and a lot less fat is added.

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.

The Makings of Healthy Mexican Food?

Tomatoes can be added to many Mexican dishes. Beans carry high protein and fiber. Instead of eating the beans refried, try getting them whole. It cuts back on the fat. Corn is another vegetable that is healthy in Mexican foods. It is high in vitamins and contains fiber. Adding these to your Mexican dishes will make them healthier than what you are served at Taco Bell.

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.

Around five percent of Mexicans regularly buy and consume health foods, ranging from twenty to fifty in age and normally living in metropolitan areas. Mexicans who cannot afford health foods still eat a healthier diet than their American counterparts do. American food is often laden with fat and calories, which are bad for your body if consumed in excess. In addition, Mexican cooking methods vary and deep-frying is less common in Mexico than in the United States.

The Food Pyramid and Healthy Mexican Food

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.

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