Adam Roseman

As I’ve certainly written before, I love Mexican cooking.  Some people feel that as vegetarians, Mexican food is not an option for them. It really doesn’t have to be, however, and I have a few great tips here to help you with cooking vegetarian food the Mexican  way.

Mexican food actually lends itself to staying vegetarian as corn and beans are such staples of the traditional cuisine. Black beans in particularly represent a great source of protein, which is particularly important to those on a non-animal-protein-based diet. Use beans mashed, boiled or sweetened, plain or as the basis of a main dish. You can also use rice, either salty or sweet, white or brown, in many recipes. And of course no meal would be complete without salsa! Get out those tomatoes and prepare yourself a delicious Mexican salsa. Another great idea is to make cheese burritos instead of meat-based ones. Your meal still contains the delicious Mexican tortilla and salsa – simply add cheddar cheese (go for fat-free for the health benefits without the fat) instead of meat.

There are many ways to enjoy Mexican food since it can be so versatile. If you are looking to get the best nutritional value from the food however, then you want to make good selections in the food. To that end, your best best is to avoid the high fat, fried so-called “Mexican”  dishes at fast food restaurants and instead eat out at authentic Mexican restaurants serving the culture’s traditional food. Better yet – get into the habit of preparing your own Mexican meals. It is not hard to prepare and the taste and health benefits are truly worthwhile.

Use beans as a healthy source of protein; switch white rice to brown rice for your rice-based recipes, and remember that tomatoes and other vegetables are a staple of Mexican food as you prepare your very own salsas and dips! Chilies can be used either dried or fresh and represent a spicy way to enjoy a healthy diet. Remember, you don’t have to do without a dessert: typical of Mexican fare are desserts made with a range of native fruits – coconut, papaya, pineapple, bananas – Yum!

Apart from the fact that if prepared properly it tastes fantastic, there are many nutritional benefits associated with Mexican  cooking as well. Firstly, it is based on corn, rice, and beans – lots of protein and fiber – and vegetables, especially tomatoes, and fruit are in abundance in many Mexican meals. In addition, the popularity of spices not only brings great flavor, but also comes with significant health benefits. Mexicans prefer their food hot and spicy and so  chilies are also a staple of Mexican cooking.  The range of chilies includes jalapeno, serrano, guajillo, pasilla, ancho, poblano, habanero and mulato, among others.  If you prefer fish over meat, then you can adopt the cuisine of the Veracruz region of Mexico, where the main dish is fish. Their specialty is the “fish dish a la Vareacruzana,” which is flavored with a special sauce of tomatoes, olives, and chilies. In a word, Mexican cooking is both healthy and delicious – so enjoy.