(Effect of the position) Meals served at home can have important meaning, including community and connection around flavorful dishes. They can also provide an opportunity to encourage good nutrition, especially for people at risk for conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
Where heritage and health meet: connecting culture and nutrition to fight diabetes
According to research of the Hispanic population, the risk of diabetes is 66% greater than that of non-Hispanic white adults. Centers for Disease Control and PreventionAvocados From Mexico is committed to providing culturally relevant, empowering resources. In partnership with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Chef Pati Jinich, the #1 selling avocado brand in the US presents the vibrant intersection of nutritious food and rich family traditions with a special collection of recipes.
“I grew up in a Mexican household where food was our love language — but there was also a stigma and very little guidance around diabetes,” Jinich said. “When my aunt, and later my mother, were diagnosed, it took time to understand what healthy eating could look like for them. That’s why this partnership means so much to me. Our culture and food aren’t the problem – they’re part of the solution. Traditional ingredients like avocados can provide both taste and wellness, while giving families the resources mine didn’t have. That’s incredibly meaningful.”
Classic avocado flavor can enhance some of the most delicious, diabetes-friendly dishes on your menu, like Jinich’s Lime-Rubbed Chicken Avocado Tacos with Corn Guacamole. Created to help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in the Hispanic community, this recipe is made possible by the good fats and sugar-free goodness of avocados from Mexico.
While you honor heritage and health, you don’t have to sacrifice the flavors your family loves. The heart of Spanish culture – the food – could also be the key to a healthier future.
To take the 60-Second Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test and find more diabetes-friendly recipes, each of which meet the ADA’s dietary guidelines, visit avocadosfrommexico.com/health.
Lime-rubbed chicken avocado tacos with corn guacamole
Recipe courtesy of Pati Jinich on behalf of Avocados from Mexico
Servings: 8
Chicken:
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary, or 1/4 teaspoon dried
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- corn or safflower oil
Corn guacamole:
- 1 jalapeno chili, roasted and chopped, or to taste
- 2 cloves of garlic, with skin
- 2 large ripe avocados from Mexico, halved, pitted and diced
- 3/4 cup corn kernels shaved from corn, or cooked from thawed
- 3/4 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or chopped
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt, or to taste
Tacos:
16 corn tortillas
- To make chicken: In a bowl, mix lime juice with olive oil, salt, ground pepper and rosemary. Pour on top of the chicken in the container. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 12 hours.
- Heat a medium frying pan or grill pan over medium heat. Add corn or safflower oil; Once it is hot but not smoking, add the chicken. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Remove from pan; place on cutting board to cool. When cool enough to handle, cut into diagonal strips about 1/2 inch wide.
- To make corn guacamole: Place the jalapeno and garlic cloves in a small baking dish under the broiler for 6-9 minutes, or until fully cooked and soft and the skin is charred. Once cool enough to handle, peel the garlic and mince it along with the chili peppers.
- Place the diced avocado in the mixing bowl. Add charred and minced garlic and jalapenos and stir gently to combine. Add corn and tomatoes. Squeeze the lime juice over the top and sprinkle with salt. Mix together.
- To assemble tacos: Heat tortillas in a hot skillet or comal over medium heat for about 1 minute per side.
- Place the tortillas in the tortilla warmer or wrap them in a clean tea towel or cloth napkin. Serve with guacamole and chicken.
SOURCE: Avocados from Mexico
The post Connecting Culture and Nutrition to Fight Diabetes first appeared on Alternative Medicine Magazine.