Traditional Latin-American Cooking Does A Body Good

What's old is not just new again, it's also healthier.

Hispanic Americans should look to the old country when it comes to building healthy eating habits.

A new food pyramid – designed to promote traditional Latin-American cuisine, such as maize, plantains and papayas – is being promoted as part of a bilingual brochure soon to be available at supermarkets across the country.

"We learn a lot from our elders and that goes for healthy eating too," said Theresa Freeden, clinical nutrition manager at the Jersey City Medical Center. "This is a relatively simple way for Latin Americans to manage their weight while still embracing the Latin culture."

Hispanic Americans suffer from higher obesity rates than do non-Hispanics. Diabetes and diabetes-related illnesses are also two to three times more likely to occur in Hispanics.

Studies show that Hispanics are at far greater risk for obesity-related illnesses after having immigrated.

The diet is rooted in cuisine from the Mayan, Incan, and Aztec period, as well as the period following Columbus’ arrival in 1500, to the present.

The food pyramid consists of whole grains, pasta, tubers, beans and nuts – which sits at the base; fish, shellfish, poultry and tree oils in the center; and sweets, eggs and meat at the top.

Like Latin-American cuisine, traditional Mediterranean and Asian diets have also been found to be healthful.

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