The Diet In Mexico & Nutrition

The Mexican food most Americans are familiar with lacks complexity compared with the diet of native Mexicans. The Mayans and Aztecs developed foods followed by the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century that introduced fruits, vegetables, meats and grains to the native diet. The jungles in the south provide fruits and spices and are combined with the vegetables and grains in the north, while the coast offers seafood. The resulting cuisine is complex, potentially healthy and flavorful.

Native Foods

The native Mexican people subsisted on a primarily vegetarian diet. Maize, beans, amaranth, tomatoes, cactus, chilies, avocado, guava, pumpkin, squash, zucchini, vanilla and herbs constituted the main dietary staples. The chilies and tomatoes provided concentrated sources of vitamins A and C, and pumpkin seeds served as a medicinal food for the treatment of tapeworm infections. Maize, or corn, and beans provided a complete protein in place of meat. Occasionally, turkeys provided meat in the diet.

Introduced Foods

The Spaniards introduced chickens, ducks, pigs and cheese. The produce contributions included onions, garlic, turnips, carrots, lentils, peaches, cherries, figs and melons. The wheat tortilla is a Spanish contribution. Before their arrival, the Mexican people used only corn tortillas prepared on a grill called a comal. The wheat tortilla became more popular in the north, while the southerners primarily used the corn tortilla, which is the most popular in all of Mexico today, according to Frommer's.

Creole Cuisine

The tamales, tostadas, tacos and enchiladas that form the foundation of modern Mexican food combine native and Spanish influences. The local term for the cuisine is comida novohispana. An example is a sauce called mole, which typically includes ground pumpkin seeds, chilies, chocolate, contributed by native Mexico, and onions, garlic, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg from the Spanish. The cheeses and meats included in meals and cream garnishes come from the Spanish, while the salsas, corn tortillas, seafood from the coast, and guacomole originated in Mexico.

Modern Influences

The influenced of the developed Western world on the Mexican diet include soda, hamburgers, hot dogs, Chinese restaurants and pizza. Mexican versions of these foods exist, including pizza poblana, a standard pizza with green chili and mole sauce added. Many people in rural Mexico are undernourished, but in urban areas consuming an overabundance of calories is an issue. In 2008, 71 percent of women and 66 percent of men in Mexico were overweight, according to "The San Diego Union-Tribune."