So you can't blame me really. Latinos LOVE food, as we should! From enchiladas, pozole, arepas, empanadas, buñuelos, arroz con pollo, mofongo, arroz con gandules, lechon asado and so much more, we have amazing sabores (flavors) in our cuisine. With all those great flavors comes, in many cases, lots of unhealthy cooking practices.
I want to keep my family's recipes alive and pass them down to my daughter especially the ones that touch at my corazón (heart) and remind me of family gatherings and holidays. For everyday living I still want to keep the flavors, but I want to offer my 2 year old healthier alternatives that have less sodium (salt), less sugar, healthy fats, more nourishing grains, and ingredients that I can pronounce.
Did you know that according to the Center for Disease control and Prevention, in the Latino population Heart Disease is a leading cause of death, more than 20% of the Latino population over 20 have Hypertension, and more than 40% of the Latino population are obese, not just "con unas libritas de mas." (a few extra pounds). Our children will grow up to be adults one day. Let's start them on the right path so they don't become a statistic. Like these:
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/hispanic-health.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/mexican-health.htm
So how can we keep our sabores AND be healthy?
1. Read ALL the food labels. I recently attended the Latino Food Festival in the NYC area, the largest food expo for the wholesale market. While some companies are starting to embrace healthier options and ingredients, it will be a while before they catch on the healthy wagon. So this means that you have to do your part by reading the food labels.
But do you know what you are even reading? What to look out for!
These are artificial fats that make oil more soluble increasing the product’s shelf life and can be found in breakfast cereals, granola bars, health/weight loss protein bars, crackers, cookies, popcorn, etc. Even if the label clearly claims "Trans Fat: 0 g" if you see any of the below words on the ingredient list then it contains some trans fat per serving:
Artificial and Chemical Sweetners (hidden sugars):
High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Acesulfame K, Neotame, Aspartame, Saccharin, Sucralose
Artificial colors and synthetic dyes:
These are petroleum-based dyes and can be listed as:FD&C Blue #1 (Brilliant Blue), FD&C Blue #2 (Indigo Carmine), Citrus Red #2, Green #3 (Fast Green), Orange B, Red #3 (Erythrosine), Red #40 (Allura Red), Yellow #5 (Tartrazine) , Yellow #6 (Sunset Yellow)
Artificial Preservatives:
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), Diacetyl, MSG (aka Monosodium Glutamate, Monopotassium Glutamate, Sodium Hydrogen Glutamate, Glutamic acid, Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein) – commonly used by restaurants and fast food places as flavor enhancer and for the addictive effect it has on the human body, Potassium Bromate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Nitrate, Sodium Nitrite, Sulfites (Sulfur dioxide, sodium bisulfite), Vanillin, Ethyl Vanillin – Vanilla substitute
For detailed information on effects these can have on the body visit: http://familywellnesshq.com/decoding-ingredients-on-processed-food-labels/
That was alot of information! Y Ahora Que? (Now what?)
2. Substitute. Pick more whole foods and seasonings that limit all that extra stuff that's not healthy for you and definitely not healthy for your child. So if your favorite Sazón's more "plain English" ingredients are garlic, onion, and turmeric find a similar substitute. You may pay a little more but you will sleep better knowing that your child is not eating unhealthy foods and ingredients or better yet, CREATE your own!
3. Get Creative and add more Veggies! I LOVE nachos, but I know that they can come loaded with fat and sodium. So I get creative, make my own, and my 2yr old loves them! I buy these spinach and kale chips http://www.thebetterchip.com/
Add protein (beans, chicken, or fish), Load it with veggies like spinach, tomatoes, colorful peppers, avocado, and top it with low sodium cheese (most delis have low sodium meats and cheeses) and voilá!
Los comentarios se aprobarán antes de mostrarse.
I don't want you to choose the wrong size when you order online. I know I hate returning things! To make it easier for you, I created simple, easy-to-read size charts to help you find the right t-shirt size. Follow these 2 steps.
1) Measure these 2 points, A (Width) & B (Length) on your child's onesies, t-shirts, or on your best fitting t-shirt
2) Find the closest match and order indicated size.
Our baby onesies are made of 100% cotton. They are wider to accommodate growing babies.
Size |
Width - A | Length - B |
0-6 Months | 8 1/2" | 13 3/4" |
6-12 Months | 9 1/4" | 14 1/4" |
12-18 Months | 9 3/4" |
15"
|
18-24Months |
10 1/4" | 16 1/4" |
Our toddler t-shirts are made of 100% cotton. They accommodate most toddlers 2-4 Years of age.
Size |
Width - A | Length - B |
2-4 Years | 11 3/4"" | 16 3/4" |
Our child and youth t-shirts are made of 100% cotton. They accommodate most kids 6-14 Years of age. If you are a petite small woman you may consider the 14-16 years Size t-shirt.
Size |
Width - A | Length - B |
6 - 8 Years | 13" | 18 1/2" |
10 - 12 Years | 15" | 20" |
14 - 16 Years | 16 3/4" |
22 1/2 |
Our Junior Girls t-shirts are made of 95% cotton and 5% spandex. They are very form fitting and stretchy. They accommodate teens or women looking for a snug t-shirt fit.
Size |
Width - A | Length - B | Waist |
M | 15" | 24 1/2" | 13" |
L | 15 1/2" | 25 3/4" | 13 1/2" |
XL | 16 1/4" |
26 1/2" |
14 1/4" |
Our soft unisex t-shirts are made of 100% cotton. They work for both men and women. Great if you want a looser, more relaxed fit.
Size |
Width - A | Length - B |
S | 18" | 26 1/2" |
M | 19 1/4" | 28 1/4" |
L | 20 1/2" |
30" |
XL |
21 1/2" | 31 3/4" |
Not the right size after all? No worries, you can return and exchange it for the right size. Check out our return policy for more details.
Janny Perez
Autor