Some Spanish foods traditionally are healthy and some meals are healthy with a few modifications. Spanish foods are technically from Spain, but Spanish food sometimes refers to Latin foods from Cuba and the Caribbean and Central and South America because their foods have heavy Spanish influences.
Gazpacho
Gazpacho is an uncooked, chilled soup from Spain that contains celery, red onions, bell pepper, scallions, parsley, garlic and tomatoes. The base of the soup includes fresh lime juice, lemon juice, vinegar and olive oil. Because most of the ingredients are raw vegetables, the soup provides you with plenty of minerals, antioxidants and vitamins like B, C and E. The only cooked ingredient in vegetable gazpacho is its fire-roasted peppers.
Tapas
Tapas are a popular way to eat traditional Spanish food: as small portions of typical entrees. American portions are enormous compared with other countries, so eating a few tapas is a healthy option because it helps regulate portions of food you eat per meal. This is beneficial if you are trying to lose weight, improve indigestion or reduce your risk of heart disease, according to MayoClinic.com. Typical and healthy ingredients in tapas are sardines, olive oil, fresh lemon juice and sea salt.
Cuban Vegetarian Meal
If you visit a Cuban restaurant, ask for a vegetarian meal for one of the healthier options. You will most likely be served white rice and black beans with a side of plantains. The beans have a thick savory sauce with garlic and other seasonings. If you make this dish at home, serve it with brown rice instead of white for additional fiber and nutrients.
Bacalao
Bacalao is a Puerto Rican fish stew that is high in protein and potassium and low in saturated fat. It contains white, neutral-tasting fish, such as haddock, tilapia or cod. It also contains avocado, garlic, onion, green olives, oregano and chili pepper. Hot peppers are a healthy spice because they offer benefits from an element called capsaicin, which Oprah.com's Dr. Nicholas Perricone reports helps keep your cardiovascular system healthy.
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