Food & Fitness
Celebrating Cinco de Mayo
- Helpful tips for celebrating Cinco De Mayo
- Recipe: Fresh Salsa
- Visit Por tu Familia—ADA's Spanish Web site
Bring out the margaritas, chips and guacamole... it's the most celebrated holiday of Mexican culture in the United States. While Cinco de Mayo is not widely celebrated in Mexico, many people in the United States celebrate Cinco de Mayo with good food, drinks, family and friends.
If the thought of huge helpings of refried beans and cheesy enchiladas makes your health-conscious mind cringe, think of the fresher approaches that are available. Mexican food with vegetables, seafood, rice, and fruit is healthy, light, and full of flavor!
Eat healthy while celebrating your fiesta or just enjoying a nice, relaxing evening at home:
- Use salsa instead of guacamole
- Incorporate fruits and vegetables in your dishes
- Make brown rice instead of white rice
- Choose lean meats
- Rinse canned beans before using to remove excess sodium
- Choose non-fat dairy such as non-fat sour cream and non-fat cheese
- Reduce the use of animal fats, such as lard and butter, and choose liquid oils for cooking
- Use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas
The American Diabetes Association offers several healthy recipes and cookbooks so you can celebrate Cinco de Mayo without packing on extra pounds. In conjunction with Por tu Familia and Latino Initiatives, a program aimed at spreading the message of diabetes in the Latin Community, Latin Flavor in the Kitchen was created to add some Latin flair to your kitchen, with a lot fewer calories. Order the booklet by calling 1-800-DIABETES. Get more tips and pointers on healthy eating.
Enjoy the recipes below—they are sure to be full of fun and flair. Ole!
