15 Healthy Mexican Food Items With Immense Health Benefits

02 December 2024

Mexican food is famous for its spices and flavors.

However, many people are confused about whether they can include Mexican food in a healthy lifestyle or not. Actually, there are plenty of misconceptions about Mexican cuisine.

In fact, healthy Mexican food options are many, and you can easily include certain dishes into your balanced diet.

In this article, you will learn about various healthy Mexican food options to include in your balanced diet. Apart from that, you will also get to know the health benefits of each item.

Moreover, this article will also explain why people commonly misunderstand Mexican food as unhealthy. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article.

A General Overview of Healthy Mexican Cuisine

The Mexican cuisine is famous for its rich flavors, diverse ingredients, and cultural significance. Hence, there are multiple healthy food options available as well.

Actually, a lot of Mexican food has a lot to teach us about nutrition. In fact, apart from the staple food items, there are quite a lot of additional factors to consider.

For example, there are some special healthy Mexican ingredients, including pumpkin, chia seeds, cactus, etc., which are quite popular among health-conscious people.

Apart from that, you will find a lot of vegetables in Mexican food. These include tomatoes, avocados, bell peppers, chili peppers, etc.

Hence, there is never a shortage of vitamins, minerals, and fibers. Additionally, many traditional Mexican food items include lean protein sources, like chicken, beans, and fish. Basically, you can use them as excellent options to maintain a healthy diet.

Why Is Mexican Food Often Misunderstood As Unhealthy?

Generally, the misconceptions about Mexican foods are due to the way many restaurants and food stalls prepare them in the US. For instance, you will frequently find high amounts of cream, cheese, and fried items on top of ingredients.

The following are some of the major reasons why many people misunderstand Mexican food as unhealthy:

Many Mexican restaurants in the US offer dishes that have large portions of sour cream, cheese, and deep-fried items. Hence, this increases your calorie count after consumption.
In many cases, Mexican dishes do not use lard. In fact, there are many healthier cooking options.
Restaurants generally serve large portion sizes of Mexican dishes. So, obviously, they contribute to overeating. Therefore, if you want to eat healthy at a Mexican restaurant, you might face difficulties.

When it comes to healthier food options, there are many dishes you can consider – legumes, grilled meats, vegetables, whole grains, etc. Basically, when you want to have Mexican food, you must make healthy choices.

For example, you must choose lean protein, grilled items, and control cheese and cream portions. This way, you can enjoy Mexican food even when you are maintaining a balanced diet.

15 Healthy Mexican Food Items And Their Health Benefits

The following are some of the best and healthy Mexican food items for you if you are on a balanced diet:

1. Beans

This is a staple source of fiber, protein, and iron for Mexicans. Apart from that, it also helps you to stay full.

Additionally, if you consume it on a regular basis, it will help you lower your cholesterol levels. Moreover, beans also help you to boost your heart health and help to maintain blood sugar levels.

2. Guacamole

The major health benefit of guacamole comes from avocados. Basically, avocadoes are monounsaturated fat and hence help to lower bad cholesterol. Also, since avocados have high fiber, it helps you to maintain your digestive tract.

Additionally, there is also no risk of colon cancer. Moreover, avocados also ensure eye health and skin health and prevent inflammation.

3. Salsa

Salsa is a good addition to your diet. With it, you can add more flavor to your food without adding excess sugar, salt, or additional fat.

Apart from that, it also contains various vitamins and minerals. In addition to that, salsa is also high in fiber and antioxidants. As a result, it will help you to remove harmful toxins from your body.

4. Grilled Chicken

Grilled chicken is a lean and high-quality protein option. Hence, it can help you to build and repair your muscle tissues.

Apart from that, it will help you to maintain a healthy immune system and facilitate muscle growth. In addition to that, lean chicken also improves your bone health and helps you fight infection in your body.

5. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quesadillas

Basically, sweet potatoes are full of nutritional qualities. For instance, it is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Apart from that, they also add a little sweetness to the quesadillas.

As a result, it complements the earthy flavor of black beans. On the other hand, black beans come with a good amount of protein.

6. Vegetarian Enchiladas

When you make enchiladas with whole grain tortillas, vegetables, beans, and lean protein, you can control the calories. Basically, enchiladas offer you a balance of fiber, protein, and other essential nutrients.

Moreover, you can also boost your protein and vitamin intake if you want. However, one tortilla of vegetarian enchiladas contains 580 calories (approx.).

7. Brown Rice

Brown rice is primarily a whole grain which will help you reduce the risk of stroke or any other heart diseases. This is because of the presence of magnesium.

Moreover, it also helps in controlling blood sugar since brown rice has a lower glycemic index than white rice. Furthermore, vitamins and minerals also ensure a healthy immune system.

8. Grilled Vegetables

Grilled vegetables are filled with vitamins and minerals. Also, when you grill vegetables, it reduces the amount of fat in vegetables. As a result, it becomes easier to digest. Moreover, with grilling, you can bring out the natural sweetness of vegetables.

9. Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

If you want a low-calorie, grain-free carb, the cilantro lime cauliflower rice is a better option. Moreover, the recipe is vegan and gluten-free.

This can be a great alternative to traditional white rice. Apart from that, due to the presence of vitamins and minerals, it is a healthy Mexican food option.

10. Corn on the Cob

Due to its high fiber content, corn helps in maintaining bowel health and helps in preventing constipation.

Apart from that, corn also contains antioxidants, folate, potassium, and plant sterols. This will help you to lower cholesterol levels. Apart from that, it will also help you to support heart health.

11. Zucchini

Zucchini has high fiber and water content. This helps in the digestion process and reduces the risk of constipation. Additionally, since zucchini is low in carbs, it also helps you to regulate blood sugar levels.

12. Fresh Tomatoes

Generally, tomatoes contain potassium, which helps to regular blood pressure in the body. Moreover, since they release antioxidants, they can also help prevent cancer.

Additionally, if you consume a tomato-rich diet, you can ensure better digestion. Furthermore, you will have an improved immune system.

13. Shrimp Ceviche

Shrimp ceviche is healthy because it is high in protein content. Apart from that, it also comes with a good number of vitamins and minerals.

As a result, it not only helps to build muscles but also ensures bone health, immunity, and nerve function. Moreover, if you are following a low-calorie diet to lose weight, shrimp ceviche is a healthy Mexican food option.

14. Pozole

It is a stew that is rich in protein. Here, for each cup you consume, you get 18 grams of protein. Additionally, it also contains fiber.

However, you can add more fiber to it by adding vegetables like avocado or cabbage. This will help you to digest your food better.

15. Chicken And Vegetable Tacos

Since chicken is a lean source of protein, it provides amino acids for muscle building. Moreover, it is also a good source of vitamin B. On the other hand, vegetables are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Hence, with a combination of chicken and vegetables, you can have a healthy diet.

Try Your Favorite Healthy Mexican Food Now

Hence, you can see that there are plenty of healthy Mexican food options. However, this is not common in the US because most Mexican restaurants in this country serve Mexican food items with a lot of oil, spices, and cream.

Hence, it looks unhealthy to common people. Therefore, if you want to have a healthy Mexican diet, you have a lot of choices.

Do you have more suggestions on healthy Mexican food items? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below.

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Soumava Goswami

A passionate writer and an avid reader, Soumava is academically inclined and loves writing on topics requiring deep research. Having 3+ years of experience, Soumava also loves writing blogs in other domains, including digital marketing, business, technology, travel, and sports.

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How To Freeze Dry Food At Home Fast? – Steps To Follow

How to freeze dry food? - To freeze-dry your food, you need first to freeze your food and then dry it under pressure to remove water content. This process is called lyophilization. In fact, it is one of the best methods to use if you want to dry your food. Actually, it is a common practice in both the pharmaceutical and food industries. In this article, you will learn how to freeze dry food at home with simple methods. However, before that, you will also understand the freeze-drying process and the types of food you can freeze-dry. Moreover, you will also learn the benefits of freeze-drying and essential tips to freeze-dry your food successfully. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article. Understanding Freeze Drying Freeze drying is a process where you remove water from a food material by freezing it. Then, you turn the ice into vapor by putting the item under pressure. Hence, you can see that this process is a dehydration technique where you sublimate the water in a product. It means that the water content in your product changes from a solid state to a gaseous state (sublimation). Here, the water does not turn into liquid. Generally, this method is helpful when you want to preserve any perishable materials. Here, the goal is to extend the shelf life of the material. In this case, you freeze the material and reduce the pressure. Then, you add heat to allow the frozen water in the food (material) to change directly to vapor. How Does Freeze Drying Work? Freeze drying consists of three stages: freezing, sublimation, and desorption. Here is an explanation of the three stages: 1. Freezing This process involves freezing the food at a very low temperature. Generally, you have to freeze to -30 to -50°F. 2. Sublimation (Primary Drying) In this stage, you have to pass mild heat over the frozen material while the material is under vacuum. Hence, the ice crystals vaporize into water vapor. After that, you remove the water vapor with the help of a vacuum pump. 3. Desorption This is the second stage of drying. Here, you have to remove all the remaining moisture from the surface of the food. Benefits Of Freeze Drying Food The following are the major advantages of freeze-drying that will benefit you a lot: Generally, the foods that you freeze-dry retain up to 97% of their nutritional value. For instance, the food retains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Those foods have a long shelf life. Moreover, you do not need to store it in cold chains. Once you freeze-dry your food, you will end up removing 98% of its water content. Hence, you will reduce its weight by 90%. Thereby, it will be easy for you to carry that food on camping and backpacking trips. Freeze-dried food is easy to prepare. This is because you just have to add water to rehydrate them. Moreover, the shape and size of the food remains intact. Also, freeze-drying helps in preventing the growth of pathogenic organisms. You can preserve a wide range of foods with freeze-drying. This includes meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, eggs, ice cream, and more. When you freeze-dry food, it does not get brown or caramelize. However, this is quite common when you dry food traditionally. How To Freeze Dry Food At Home? Here are the steps you must follow to freeze dry food at home: Wash your food items that you want to freeze-dry. Also, remove dirt and residues from the food. This way, you can ensure food safety. Cut your food into small pieces. This way, you can make the freeze-drying process faster. Place your food on a flat tray. Moreover, make sure to spread the food evenly. Basically, if you spread your food properly, you can freeze the food evenly. Place your food in your freezer, and set the temperature correctly. Then, place the food in your freezer for two weeks. Actually, you need this time to remove the moisture in the food. After the completion of two weeks, remove the trays from the freezer. After that, quickly place the food items in airtight bags. Make sure to take out one tray at a time to ensure that the food does not rehydrate. Make sure to place the food bags in the freezer, and also in a cool, dark spot. Check the food after a couple of days. This way, you ensure whether all the food is dried-up or not. Tips For Successful Freeze Drying The following are some essential tips by following which you can successfully freeze dry your food: 1. Preparing the Food Harvest the food produced when it is ripe. Then, wash the food, remove the damaged parts, and prepare it as desired. This is because if you cut your food into small pieces, it will dry faster. 2. Arrange the Food Place your food on a tray and arrange it into pieces. Also, make sure to place those pieces in such a way that they do not touch each other. 3. Use A Freeze Dryer With the help of a freeze dryer, you can automatically lower the temperature. Moreover, a freeze dryer also helps you to create a vacuum. 4. Store The Food Once you freeze-dry your food, store it in an airtight container. Also, you can store it in a bag which you can vacuum-seal it. 5. Cook Raw Foods: One of the drawbacks of freeze-drying is that it does not kill harmful bacteria. Hence, you must cook freeze-dried foods thoroughly before consumption. Related: The Importance Of Proper Cutting When Preparing Meals Common Uses For Freeze-Dried Ingredients The following are some of the common uses of freeze-dried foods: Works as essential food supplies at times of emergencies. They have a long shelf-life and you can use it to maintain food quality. You can use freeze-dried food in stews, soups, baked goods, etc. You can eat freeze-dried food as a healthy snack any time. If you freeze-dry your seasonings, you can retain the flavor and freshness for years. Wrapping Up You now know how to freeze dry food. Generally, in manufacturing, food companies and manufacturers prefer freeze-dried food over regular food. This is because they are easy to prepare and are portable and lightweight. Also, such food removes the moisture from the food to make it compact. Do you have more suggestions for freeze-drying to offer? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below. Additional Readings: How to Thicken Chili – Tried and Tested What To Look For And What To Avoid In Healthy Dog Treats The Difference Between Bacterial Amylase and Fungal Amylase

How To Cook Sausage That Tastes Like Heaven

If you have been dreaming a lot about sausages lately, I am sure the thought of how to cook sausage has also struck your mind. Well, let me tell you that cooking this tasty, meaty delicacy does not require any top-notch skill. Check out own the grill for additional grilling strategies, guides, and tips on making the perfect grill recipes To cook sausages perfectly, what one requires is patience. It has been found that people often face many challenges while cooking sausages. These issues can be that while the exterior of the sausages gets cooked, the insides remain raw. You can also StoneFryingPans for more info on cooking. Also, the sausages might end up being dry, or the casings might split as well. However, I earnestly request you not to worry. Since I am here now, I will guide you to understand and learn every aspect of cooking perfect sausages. You can also visit how-to-boil.com for more information about the same. What Is A Sausage? A sausage is a meat product, or to be more specific, a type of forcemeat. It is generally composed of ground meat, such as beef, pork, and even poultry. Some seasonings, herbs, and spices are also added for flavors. These forcemeats are then enclosed in a casing made of animal intestines or synthetic materials. A huge variety of sausages are available across the world that are native to the places where they are found. What Are The Different Types Of Sausage? There is a basic classification of sausages based on a lot of features. From the types of ingredients used to the various cooking procedures, all are taken into consideration while differentiating between sausages. It can be primarily classified as cooked, fresh, and dry sausages. Sausages also vary according to regional influences. American sausage, Italian sausage, German sausage, and many more sausages have been extremely popular around the world. Some of these are Cumberland sausage from the UK, Haggis from Scotland, Saucisson and Chipolata from France, Bratwurst sausage from Germany, Chorizo sausage from Spain, Mortadella sausage from Italy, and many more. Various Ways Of How To Cook Sausage The best way to cook sausage is to tailor it to the preferences of your taste buds. You would also find sausages that could be eaten raw like the Chorizo. However, most other sausages need to be cooked before consumption. Whether you want to know how to cook breakfast sausage or some Italian sausage, let me tell you that these can all be cooked in a similar way. Now, with the evolution of modern cookery, many recipes have been developed for cooking sausages. But, here we will focus on the basic methods of sausage cookery: How To Boil Sausage? Boiling a sausage is one of the easiest ways to learn how to cook the sausage. If you are thinking boiling a sausage is some very difficult task, then you are wrong. It is as simple and similar as boiling any other food item. Boiling a sausage will allow the hot water to pierce through the meat and cook the interior part more evenly. It will have a soft, tender texture rather than a crispy one. Ingredients Required: Sausages Water Salt Procedure: Take a saucepan and fill it with enough water. Increase the heat and bring it to a boil. With the help of tongs, place the sausages in the saucepan. Reduce the heat and keep it on simmer. Add some salt to the water. For flavoring, you can opt to add some wine, beer, or stock. Cover the pan with a lid. Let the sausages cook for about 15-30 minutes, depending on the size. Remove the lid, take the sausages out and dry them with some paper towel. How To Grill Sausage? Grilling is a form of high-temperature cooking that allows the food to get cooked by the application of dry heat. In this method of cooking, the heat might be applied from above, or below, or even from the sides. It is often stated by health professionals that grilling sausage might lead to the formation of potentially hazardous compounds in the food. However, nothing beats our love for sausages, so you might compromise on your health a bit this time. Grilling the sausages will eventually turn them brownish in color with grill marks on the body. Ingredients Required: Sausages Oil Salt and pepper Procedure: For this cooking method, the most important thing that you need is a griller. Make sure the temperature is higher on one side while lower on the other. As the griller gets heated, spill and spread a tablespoon of oil over it. Use tongs and place the sausage on the hotter side of the grill. Grill them for a minute or two and cook on both sides to get the marks. As they acquire a deep-brownish color and start to burn, immediately move them to the cooler side of the grill using tongs. On this side, cook the sausages slowly for about 10-15 minutes. When they are done, remove from the grill and sprinkle some salt over. How To Bake Sausage? Baking is a great way that can help you learn how to cook sausage in the oven. Baking is also a dry method of cooking that involves the application of high heat. This method makes the sausages taste more interesting than ever. There are also very few chances of the item getting burnt in an oven. Here, the heat is gradually distributed from the surface to the interiors of the food. A baked sausage often has a crispy texture and appears to be light-brownish in color. Ingredients Required: Sausages Butter Garlic Salt and pepper Fresh herbs Cheese Procedure: Preheat the oven to 350°F. While the oven is heating, take a baking tray and brush it with a very little amount of butter or oil. If you want to make it more delicious, you can brush some butter over the sausages and add some chopped garlic to them. Place the sausages evenly apart on the tray. Put the filled tray inside the oven. Let the sausages get cooked for about 30-40 minutes, depending on the size. You can turn the sausages once in between to get them evenly cooked. Once they are cooked, take the sausages out. Sprinkle some freshly chopped herbs and some grated cheese over the sausage. Final Thoughts Well, I haven’t seen you cook yet, but I am certain that you have learned about the basics of how to cook sausage after reading this article. Aren’t these methods excessively simple? Yes, I knew you would agree with me. So when the love for sausage is there, and the grill is on fire, what on earth is stopping you? It is your time to relish such a delectable piece of food. More Resources: Cooking Tips: Simple Fundamental Cooking Ideas To Make Food Smaller Sized Meal Portions for Dogs How To Start A Food Truck Business And Earn Money From It In 2021

What Fast Food Is Open On Christmas? – Stores And Restaurants To Visit

Christmas is just a couple of weeks away, and it gets busy at this time of the year. Moreover, with all the festive celebrations, you will definitely want some fast food. But, what fast food is open on Christmas? The answer is many fast-food restaurants, and food stalls are open on 25 December to fulfill your cravings. In this article, you will learn about what fast food chain is open on Christmas. Apart from that, this article will also give you details about the types of fast-food chains open on Christmas. Moreover, you will also get tips on finding open fast-food locations. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article. The Popularity Of Fast Food On Christmas Recently, more fast-food chains have been choosing to operate on Christmas Day. This is great news for people who do not celebrate by going out or who just want to take a break on Christmas. This is also helpful for people who are just looking for a convenient option for lunch and dinner. Generally, in the United States, unlike many other countries across the world, fast-food chains are quite popular. This is because of the following reasons: It is easy to get quick and easy fast food. Also, you will find it cheaper than preparing a meal at home. If you live in a city, the fast-paced city life and professional commitments make fast food an easy-to-get option. Generally, fast food is more affordable than healthy meals, organic food, and fresh food alternatives. Convenience is the biggest reason for the popularity of fast-food chains. Moreover, since Americans value time and money a lot, it makes fast food easy on the pocket as well as on time-savings. In fact, you can order cheeseburgers, sodas, and supersize items, each within a dollar. Basically, when it comes to Christmas, people want to take a break from making food and spend more time with their families. Hence, fast food has become the go-to alternative. On the other hand, many fast food chains use marketing campaigns to promote their food during holidays. Apart from that, fast food items also contain some ingredients that make people feel good, like saturated fats, sugar, trans fats, high calories, etc. Types Of Fast-Food Chains Open On Christmas The following are the major types of fast-food chains that are open on Christmas: Snacks Generally, these fast-food chains include a snack bar, beverage establishments, and simple meals like sandwiches, burgers, and hotdogs. Here, the serving person will serve you at the counter or on the table. Burger Shops This is a popular option in some places. In those shops, you will find upscale burgers and a variety of cheeseburgers. Moreover, you will find different types of concept burgers that emphasize variety and freshness. Generally, these are takeaway counters. Food Court These places are full of different small takeaway counters. Here, each customer pays independently and eats in a common room. In these places, each owner of the food island contributes to the dining room rental. Healthy Fast Food Healthy fast food options are also common in some places. For example, you will get nutritious wraps, vegetarian food, and a variety of vegan options. Basically, if you want a balanced diet, this is a great option. Also, it helps you a lot, even when you are on the move. Hence, if you are health-conscious, this can be a great alternative. Niche Fast Food Many new themed and niche fast food restaurants are opening up. Here, you can personalize your fast food. Here, the restaurant fuses fast food with many other food options to create something new. What Fast Food Chain Is Open On Christmas? The following are some of the fast food chains that are open on Christmas: 1. McDonalds The Golden Arches are the most popular fast-food options during Christmas. Yes, McDonald’s is open on Christmas and throughout the festive season. No matter which state you are from, you will find many locations open on Christmas Day and even on Christmas Eve. However, the hours may change depending on the location you are from. 2. Starbucks Sipping a Cafe Mocha on the evening of Christmas with a book in hand. This is heaven for people who like to celebrate Christmas alone. However, even if you have your family and friends with you on Christmas day, Starbucks is always a go-to option. Generally, you will find most Starbucks locations open on Christmas. However, individual store hours may differ depending on the place you stay. Basically, it depends on the cultural and climatic conditions of the place. Hence, before you visit the nearest Starbucks, make sure to call. 3. Burger King A juicy burger on a Christmas day is like heaven to many. Head to the nearest Burger King to get your burger. However, you might find some locations closed on Christmas Day. Hence, it is better to call beforehand. This is because the holiday hours are different in every location. 4. Dunkin’ Donuts If you have a sweet tooth, Dunkin’ Donuts is there to satisfy your needs. In fact, most of the Dunkin’ Donuts locations stay open on Christmas Day. Hence, if you are looking for a quick breakfast or an afternoon treat, order something from Dunkin’ Donuts. However, make sure to confirm the timings of your local store by calling them beforehand. Tips For Finding Open Fast-Food Locations The following are the steps you must follow if you want to find an open fast-food location near you: Open your smartphone. Tap on the Google Maps app to open it. Make sure your GPS is on. Tap the name of the shop and add “near me” after that. You will find all the locations of that shop near you. Check the opening and closing times of the shop. Also, note down the phone number of the shop. Call that shop and ask whether they are open within the time frame within which you will visit. If the storekeeper confirms that they are open, head on to that fast-food shop quickly. This way, you can visit a fast-food store near you and try out your favorite meal. Alternatives To Fast Food On Christmas A good home-cooked meal is always the better option if you want to compare it with fast food. Whether you are alone or with your family, spending some time cooking something you like is a great way to spend your Christmas in an amazing manner. Depending on how much time you have, you can also try out a new recipe. All you need to do is open YouTube and check out a cooking recipe. If possible, you can even involve your family members in the preparation. Basically, if there are many hands, the workload will be less. Moreover, this will strengthen the family bonding. Summing Up What fast food chain is open on Christmas? You can see that the popular fast food chains that are open on Christmas are McDonald’s, Burger King, Starbucks, and Dunkin’ Donuts. Apart from that, if you have any other local fast-food shop open, you can visit there. Do you have more suggestions on how to find a fast-food shop nearby? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below. Read Also: Is Walmart Open On Christmas? Get To Know What Is Open And What Is Not Best Bulking Foods That You Need For Fast Muscle Gains All you need to know about kashkaval cheese Unveiling home décor ideas for Christmas

15 Healthy Mexican Food Items With Immense Health Benefits

A General Overview of Healthy Mexican Cuisine

Why Is Mexican Food Often Misunderstood As Unhealthy?