Many people agree that Mexican food is delicious, but do you know that it also has health benefits? This is not to say that all Mexican food is healthy, but if you look out for certain ingredients, you can improve your health while enjoying delicious food.
Essential Nutrients
Essential vitamins and minerals can be found in tomatoes, lettuce, and other vegetables that are commonly found in Mexican food. They each supply different vitamins and minerals to improve your health. For example, onions and tomatoes are a good source of vitamin C, which helps boost your immune system. On the other hand, avocados and lettuce supply fiber and other minerals to boost the nutrition of your meal. Choose a meal that relies heavily on these ingredients without too much of the fatty foods that can come with Mexican dishes, such as sour cream and cheese.
Increased Intake of Protein
Protein is important because it improves energy level and keeps muscles and tissue healthy. Most Mexican meals include some sort of meat, whether it’s beef, chicken, pork, or fish. But, this is not to say all the meat in Mexican food contains a good amount of protein. One good tip is to pick lean meat over fried meat. Fried meat tends to have an unnecessary amount of saturated fat. Cheese is another ingredient that includes protein, as well as calcium, but you should not eat too much cheese because it also has saturated fat and sodium.
Lowering Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
Spicy peppers such as jalapeños, which are found in many Mexican dishes, contain something called capsaicin. Capsaicin is a compound that is said to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as improve circulation and relieves congestion. If you have ever been told that eating spicy foods when you have a cold can make you feel better, this may be true because of capsaicin. Many Mexican sauces, such as salsa and chile, contain spicy peppers. Make sure that next time you ask for salsa or hot sauce with your Mexican meal, you will not regret the health benefits that result from your choice.
Fiber
One kind of carbohydrate that most people do not get enough of is fiber. Fiber can be found in many fruits and vegetables. It is also found in a staple of Mexican food, which are beans. Two common kinds of Mexican beans are black beans and pinto beans. Refried beans contain less fiber than whole beans. So when you have the choice, pick steamed beans over fried.
Of course, everything is good in moderation. Mexican food can be delicious and healthy if you choose the right ingredients in your meal. If you pay close attention to the meat and beans that you choose for your meal, you could be rewarded with amazing health benefits.
This is just another excuse to visit one of the many Acapulco’s Mexican Family Restaurant and Cantina, located in Massachusetts and Connecticut, to enjoy a delicious, authentic, and healthy Mexican meal. We have a number of healthier dishes including our fajitas and seafood dishes. We invite you to come try them out for yourself.