Maintaining Nutritious Habits

The selection of meal options changes each time a new group of immigrants arrives in the United States, as much for the recently arrived as for the host country. People of all cultures try to retain their traditional foods and not give in to acculturation.

Thirty years ago, it was difficult to prepare a traditional Latino meal because the supermarket did not sell the necessary ingredients. There were very few Latino grocery stores, and not all of them offered a variety of products people desired.

However, the changing demographics among Latinos, whose numbers recently reached 40 million, has impacted the demand for products from Latin America.

Today, American supermarket chains have adapted Latino “tastes,” offering a large variety of products such as cactus leaves, tortillas, fresh cheese, chorizo (spicy pork sausage), mangos, hot salsa, yuca, coconut milk, empanadas, dulce de leche (milk candy), pupusas, churros, tamales, tacos, pastel de tres leches, pastel de choclo (chocolate cake), brazo de reina, ají (chile), and tomatillos verdes (green tomatoes), to name a few.

Hispanics also have a very peculiar relationship with food––meals symbolize many themes: family, friendship, longing, and sensuality. To cook is pleasure, so the most important thing one can do is share the joy of food. When Latinos shop, they go in groups, as if experiencing a tour of the market. And they feel more comfortable buying in places that offer well-known delights.

Traditional Latino families sometimes shop as much as four to five times a week, preferring hot bread in the morning. In the meat market, they ask for special cuts of meat and buy fresh fruit in the fruit market.

However, to the extent that Latino immigrants come to accept the American diet and adapt to new food traditions, they also begin to live in a less healthy lifestyle. They start to consume french fries, hamburgers, sweets, and over-sized servings of meat, chicken, and bread. Unfortunately, these new eating habits increase the incidence of diabetes, heart attacks, obesity, high blood pressure, and cancer.

To address this, individuals should maintain a nutritious and well-balanced diet that is tasty and satisfying. Eat eggs and butter with moderation. Prepare grilled meats and baked fish. Include fruit, vegetables, grains, and beans in your diet. To quench your thirst, drink fresh water and natural fruit juices.

Stay away from alcohol and cigarettes. And most important, exercise regularly to stay in shape!