Mexican Crusine And American Culture

The Americanization Of The Mexican Diet – The Good And Bad

The United States is seeing a steadily increasing population of people of Mexican descent. Some of these people move from Mexico into America to settle in the cities, while others find work in the agriculture regions. Regardless of where these individuals and families settle, they bring with them a long history and diverse culture.

When it comes to food, habits die hard. This is true for any immigrant to America. Even though a person's dietary needs come with them when they cross the border into America, the availability of food along with group acceptance play a part in the inevitable change in eating habits. Some of this change can be good, but some may not be so healthy. Let's take a look at a few ways eating practices can be influenced, both for good and maybe not so good.

The traditional Mexican diet is actually a blend of cultures - indigenous Mayan, Spaniards, French, and Indian.  Before modern shipping methods came into play, slow trade routes and geography played a large part in what the Mexican people ate. Now, along with Central America and South America, we can see how North America has added to the dietary influence.

Many years ago, a typical meal in Mexico would include lots of complex carbs such as corn, rice, beans, and whole grain breads. Proteins would be provided with plenty of fish and other seafood, along with poultry, pork, eggs, and, again, beans. We also can't forget chilies which helped flavor and form the basis of many of these common dishes.

Vegetables also traditionally dominate the diet in Mexico. You'll find squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and avocados on the table at almost every meal. In America, we love our butter, cheese, and sour cream, and often find it difficult to keep from topping our vegetables with a generous portion. The Mexican-American family has learned to enjoy this habit, as well.

Mango, papaya, and melon are eaten fresh in Mexico or may be mixed with water to make refreshing beverages. However, these Mexican fruit drinks made from real fruit gave way to soft-drinks as part of the cultural influence in America. Coffee is a traditional drink in Mexico and is often flavored with real chocolate, fruit, or even nuts, then thickened with corn flour. In Mexico, the coffee may be laced with crema, which is very rich in fat, whereas in America we often add skim milk to our coffee. The Mexican-American, in this case, could save some calories by following this particular habit.

Mexican people grow up eating more meals per day, with lunch being the largest meal of the day. Mexican-Americans fall into the traditional American habit of eating three meals a day which sometimes works against their health. Eating a lighter lunch - American style - is believed to be one of the reasons dieticians are seeing an increase in obesity in the Mexican-American population. When heavier meals are eaten in the evening, what was traditionally the lightest meal of the day, there is no chance of working off the calories before bedtime.

Following guidelines for healthier eating in America can backfire. The introduction of big green salads to the Mexican-American diet is one example. Fatty salad dressings came along with the salads. Eating more vegetables is a good idea, but cooked vegetables, which were not commonly eaten in Mexico, brought about the inclusion of melted butter and creamy cheese sauces. Figuring out how to eliminate the unhealthy part from these healthy dishes was, and still is, a part of redesigning the American diet for not just Mexican-Americans, but all Americans.

Opportunities in America have always drawn immigrants to her borders. But, assimilating into a different culture has its challenges - a changing diet is indeed one of those challenges.

As Mexican people move north into America, certain eating habits are bound to change. Some eating habits could use a bit of Americanization, and some American eating habits could use a bit of old fashioned

Mexican cooking. Sorting this out is the most important thing you can do when setting the table in your home so you can enjoy all the good, healthy foods that both Mexico and America have to offer!