Thinking of switching up your diet? Eating healthy is on many people’s minds nowadays and, with stress proven to have a negative impact on your heart and sedentary lifestyles more common than ever, it makes sense to look for ways to stay fit. The nutritional benefits of Mexican food, in particular, have long since been one of the go-to options for people who want their diets to be as delicious as they are healthy.
Did You Know?
Let’s start off with some fun facts before diving into the nutritional benefits of Mexican food. One out of every 10 restaurants in the United States sells Mexican food, making it the most popular style of cultural cuisine even before Italian and Chinese. Over 70% of American households will regularly use Mexican food and ingredients in everyday meals. Last, but not least, a lot of consumers as of late are looking to shake up their daily diet — studies have shown three-quarters of respondents to a survey wanting new flavors, with another two-thirds eager to try bolder recipes.
What Is Mexican Cuisine’s History?
The nutritional benefits of Mexican food have been enjoyed for centuries. Yes, centuries. Historians and anthropologists have long since believed Mexican cuisine to be derived from what the Mayan Indians prepared as much as 2,000 years ago, eventually making its way to the modern day with some minor changes and major differences. Even the commonly used term ‘enchilada’ was first referenced in the United States back in 1885 — despite this, the concept of tortillas being used as a wrap can be linked all the way back to the Aztecs.
How Many Mexican Restaurants Are There?
When you’re not feeling like cooking at home, you’ll have no shortage of options to choose from when browsing nearby restaurants. As of 2011 there are a stunning 38,000 Mexican restaurants and bars all across the United States, serving everything from traditional Mexican dishes to cultural hybrids like Tex-Mex — the latter first arose in the 1940’s, widely considered one of the best examples of our integration with our southern neighbor. Since Texas actually borders Mexico, it has long since boasted a delicious fusion of the best both areas have to offer.
Does Mexican Cuisine Cover All Major Food Groups?
One of the best elements about Mexican cuisine (besides the delicious taste) is how it covers all major food groups in one way or another. If you’re worried about getting enough protein in your diet, Mexican food frequently relies on beans and rice to give you what your body needs. How about dairy and fruit? Simply dip into some salsa or guacamole. No matter your personal preferences or particular diet, Mexican food frequently has many people covered.
Should I Eat More Mexican Food?
If you want your diet to cover all the basics as well as remain tasty and bold enough year-round, you can’t go wrong with Mexican food. It’s flexible enough to fit all lifestyles, is filled with all sorts of interesting flavors and can be as home on the dinner table as a party you’re throwing for friends. To make sure you’re getting an authentic experience it helps to know the roots of Mexican cuisine and how it’s changed over the years. The seven moles (or sauces) of Oaxaca include negro, rojo, colaradito, amarillo, verde, chichilo and manchamantel — Mexico is in the top four megabiodiverse countries around the world, with 70% of all planet diversity located there. How’s that for interesting? Consider learning how to spot or cook the best Mexican food and watch the results make themselves clear.
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