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jennifer rose

Jan 23, 2008, 6:14 PM

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Is traditional Mexican cuisine bad for you?

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Have you noticed that obesity in Mexico has reached epidemic proportions, along with diabetes? Is traditional Mexican cuisine, heavy on carbohydrates and fat, to blame, particularly in an age when most people are not out hoeing fields and walking behind oxen?

Oscar2

Jan 24, 2008, 1:07 PM

Post #2 of 8 (2024 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Is traditional Mexican cuisine bad for you?

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OMG, Jen, the angst this subject produces perpetually generates dieting, seemingly forever. Diet this, diet that and the merry-go-round of the bulge is nothing less or more than a way of life ridden with guilt, should I even think of eating a piece of candy.

Tacos, frijoles, tortillas, arroz, menudo, tamales, enchiladas, guacamole, is candy to the soul . How dare I should torture, instead I acquiesce, to stock images of wading through armies of less and lesser calories. Yes, it’s a war; some battles are lost but knowing well the war of redemption is reinforced by bastions of blueberries, carrot and celery sticks, seafood galore, yogurts and cottage cheese till the eyes roll.

The image of obesity and all that we know which comes with it, would cause a yogurt and carrot stick transfusion in this household till you dropped. If I’m a good boy, and maintain decent eating habits, once in a while, the boss/dietitian provides the above candy, in moderation, mind you, but yes, poppa bear smiles and goes to bed happy! Laugh

drmike

Jan 24, 2008, 1:37 PM

Post #3 of 8 (2022 views)

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Re: [Oscar2] Is traditional Mexican cuisine bad for you?

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From what I understand, obesity is increasing in Mexico. As you mentioned, along with diabetes. There is much controversy over the causes of obesity. When I had patients come in to my office wanting to lose weight, I generally told them to burn up more calories (exercise) than calories consumed. Obesity is very complicated though.

Some studies show that when a society goes from their "traditional" diet to a more "modern" diet (such as the Standard American Diet or SAD) obesity and accompanying disease rise. This happening in many places in Mexico with the proliferation of McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, etc.

Other studies show a relationship between unbalanced neurotransmitters in the brain (serotonin, epinephrine, nor-epinephrine and dopamine). This imbalance can occur from stress, poor diet, medications (SSRI's), and the treatment is balancing the neurotransmitters through amino acid therapy.

Also, many medications can cause weight gain and obesity.

I guess with the proliferation of automobiles in Mexico, more people are riding rather than walking, while eating their MacDonalds and living with more stress than in day's of yore.

Dr. Mike

smarthealthchoices.blogspot.com

(This post was edited by drmike on Jan 25, 2008, 8:17 AM)

Oscar2

Jan 24, 2008, 2:46 PM

Post #4 of 8 (2011 views)

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Re: [drmike] Is traditional Mexican cuisine bad for you?

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I concur and although I really don’t like making accusatory comparisons of this and that, there are ongoing reports pointing too exorbitant amounts of growth hormones being fed US livestock amongst other types of fat ingredients in our ever increasing fast food industry, which in most opinions, is over the top.

In some parts of Mexico, where villagers have fewer vehicles, yes I agree slimmer folks are the ones who do the most walking, as a rule. At times, I think that more exercise can be attributed to folks SoB, due in part to many not having automobiles and/or lack of parking in some cities requires more walking.

The media NoB and SoB as of late emphasizes a need for balanced diets and health consciousness to lower the wait of our overtly heavy adults and unhealthy youth. Growth Hormones fed our livestock to fatten them up for market, is digested and as they say, “we become what we eat, and I don’t mean cattle.” Laugh

There was a piece on the tube, where a livestock rancher was taking a stand against large amounts of hormone feeding, as well as large amounts of antibiotics. The over immunization of cattle caused a deleterious fallout where the cattle are now developing an unbridled strain of illnesses beyond the current antibiotics ability to control, and of which can and has been passed on to consumers. This I found very disturbing and most certainly feel more attention to health, as opposed to the bottom line should exist, but I’m not holding my breath.

MazDee

Jan 24, 2008, 9:10 PM

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Re: [jennifer rose] Is traditional Mexican cuisine bad for you?

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My uneducated opinion is that the culprits are fat and sugar. The traditional Mexican diet of tortillas and beans with a soupcon of meat (when available) provided protein and lots of carbs and calories. In modern México, people are able to buy those fat-full Whoppers and french fries and so forth and do so. They are adopting NOBs worst choices, and abandoning the traditional diet of the poor, because many can afford those things now. The obesity problem has been so acknowledged in Mazatlán that the schools (at least public ones) can't sell unhealthy snacks on their premises. That doesn't stop a cart from parking outside to sell junk food, last I noticed! Now Coke is another thing! The more money poor people have, the more coke they can buy! That is a disaster in itself, a national addiction I think, but Coca Cola has been here for a very long time so I don't think it is the only culprit. It is just sad to see small children drinking coke instead of a healthy, and tastier, fruit drink. I guess CocaCola is addictive. I never developed that particular addiction so I don't know.

thriftqueen

Jan 24, 2008, 9:30 PM

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Re: [MazDee] Is traditional Mexican cuisine bad for you?

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Hear, hear - Pepsi y Coke is second only to cerveza as the national drink of Mexico. We live in a Mx barrio and are invited to homes and functions, the first thing that is offered is one of the above. I don't care how poor the family is when one stops by their house to visit they send the nino to the corner market for a grande soda to share with us. Just a foot note: one 12 oz can of Coke or other soft drink has 9 tsp. of sugar in it.

My husband drives special ed kids to and from school each day and they always get in the van with Sabritas in their hand. One knows that is probably that child's breakfast. All the schools here have a snack shack right on the school grounds, even the kinder and primary. One day I asked my husband if he knew the Spanish word for junk food and his quick response was, "Sabritas".

Then there is my gordo friend, when I explain to her that flour tortillas are bad for her health, her response is, "but, I likes them". PS Can't blame it on McD or BK as we don't have 'em in our small town.

Oscar2

Jan 25, 2008, 8:30 AM

Post #7 of 8 (1965 views)

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Re: [MazDee] Is traditional Mexican cuisine bad for you?

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On another thread, Georgia chimed in with an enthusiastic grocery list of diet conscious staples she has combed grocery shelves with that have served her well. Frankly, I was not aware Georgia was that health conscious and came away feeling really good about her regime. Pending what your doing with your life, I for one, really appreciated her keen list of availables.

Discipline isn’t always easy. One has to work on it with the kind of fervor and dedication, which makes eating a taco or the like, a real treat in the ongoing battle of the bulge. Mexican dishes (which taste so good) are not based on calorie consciousness, nor do I expect them to be but I’m sure there are others like Georgia who have a low Cal or bulge checking Mexican treat or dish maybe they’d like to share?

NoB there is such a constant preoccupation and mantra to cut calories that subliminally and eventually you’d think it would slip into our DNA………. Laugh

Someone I think mentioned ceviche but then again, fried tortilla chips are part of this package ………sheeeesh

jennifer rose

Mar 27, 2008, 12:51 PM

Post #8 of 8 (1881 views)

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Re: [Oscar2] Is traditional Mexican cuisine bad for you?

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See http://staringatstrangers.typepad.com/...fat-city-mexico.html