Good diet living in Mexico D.F?

[KevMc]

Ok so I'm 27 years old and I've been living here in D.F. for quite some time now and I've noticed that I've been putting on weight very quickly now. A lot more than when I lived in the states. Here the foods are so much more different and with all the street vendors it's hard to eat healthy sometimes.

So does anyone have a diet for weight loss that they would be willing to share with me using the foods and dishes here in Mexico that I could start eating in order to lose these extra pounds?

Thanks in advanced.

[maesonna]

I am exactly twice your age, and battling the spread that comes at my time of life. My suggestions:
(1) You are reaching an age where you would likely be finding yourself having to watch what you eat a little more carefully than you used to no matter where you were. So not all of it is because of where you are. Some of it is because of your stage in life.
(2) Cook for yourself most of the time. Shop at markets, and buy and eat lots of vegetables. Cabbage, zucchini, Swiss chard, spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, purslane (verdolagas) huauzontle and chayote are some good ones to eat.
(3) Strictly limit or cut out sweet breads and pastries.

[mickisue1]

Originally Posted by maesonna

I am exactly twice your age, and battling the spread that comes at my time of life. My suggestions:
(1) You are reaching an age where you would likely be finding yourself having to watch what you eat a little more carefully than you used to no matter where you were. So not all of it is because of where you are. Some of it is because of your stage in life.
(2) Cook for yourself most of the time. Shop at markets, and buy and eat lots of vegetables. Cabbage, zucchini, Swiss chard, spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, purslane (verdolagas) huauzontle and chayote are some good ones to eat.
(3) Strictly limit or cut out sweet breads and pastries.

+1 Prepared foods, whether from a vendor or an American style store, nearly always have more salt, more sugar and more processed grains than you'd ever think of putting in your own recipes.

If you don't yet know how to cook, you live in an amazing place to start, with local, fresh foods available year round!

Add in more exercise, as well. If you've been driving, walk to the bus stop more. If you've been taking the bus for distances of less than a mile, walk. Even better, get a bike, and you can avoid a car or the bus altogether.

[Longford]

Originally Posted by KevMc

Ok so I'm 27 years old and I've been living here in D.F. for quite some time now and I've noticed that I've been putting on weight very quickly now. A lot more than when I lived in the states. Here the foods are so much more different and with all the street vendors it's hard to eat healthy sometimes.

So does anyone have a diet for weight loss that they would be willing to share with me using the foods and dishes here in Mexico that I could start eating in order to lose these extra pounds?

Thanks in advanced.

When I lived in Mexico City for 6 years, I lost weight. A lot of weight. I continue to find that if I want to eat healthy in Mexico City, and Mexico generally, that it's easy to do. All it takes is discipline. No different than wherever we come from before landing in Mexico. One of the things which helps me to maintain good weight/health is walking. I'm a walker by nature, but in Mexico I walk a lot more than when I'm at home in the USA. Particularly so in Mexico City. So, I sense this is a personal behavioral problem with you. One way to deal with the problem is to speak with your primary care physician who ought to be able to refer you to a nutritional counselor who can help you design a behavioral plan which is best for your situation. Best of luck.

[circle110]

Several good suggestions so far.

I too am working on losing some weight but not because I have gained weight in Mexico. I actually have lost weight since moving here and I want to keep the ball rolling and get down to a very svelte state. I always gain weight back when we visit the US due to the ridiculous portion sizes in restaurants.

I'll second the "stay away from street vendors" suggestion. We set a cap of once a month for eating at our favorite taco stand. The infrequency makes it all the more special when we do go.

The biggest thing for me has been portion control. If you eat at home (another great previous suggestion) you can control the size of your portions as well as take advantage of using all the wonderful fresh ingredients that you can find here in Mexico. Fresh fruit every day for breakfast and steamed veggies with almost every comida...mmmmm!

I just thought of one more thing. Have you switched to the Mexican eating schedule of "el desayuno" in the morning, "la comida" in the 2-4 PM range and a light "la cena" at 8-9 PM?
I found that I eat smarter and snack less (if ever) when I eat on that schedule compared to the US eating schedule.

[Longford]

Originally Posted by circle110

I always gain weight back when we visit the US due to the ridiculous portion sizes in restaurants.

Meal portions, particularly when served in restaurants, are typically too large to maintain a helathy lifestyle. Following my physician's advice, I now split what's on my plate in two portions and take-home the half I don't eat in a restaurant. I've found that works well.

I'll second the "stay away from street vendors" suggestion. We set a cap of once a month for eating at our favorite taco stand.

There are many healthy options offered by street vendors. We can choose greasy fried foods - carnitas, for example - or grilled, lightly fried meat without grease (including chicken breast meat), fruits and vegetables, etc.

I just thought of one more thing. Have you switched to the Mexican eating schedule of "el desayuno" in the morning, "la comida" in the 2-4 PM range and a light "la cena" at 8-9 PM? I found that I eat smarter and snack less (if ever) when I eat on that schedule compared to the US eating schedule.

Since first moving to Mexico and through the years while there and after I've left but still return regularly ... I've changed my eating habits to correspond to the "Mexican eating schedule" you speak of. Doing so has made it a challenge to socialize with friends and family when they're on a different schedule, but I've worked hard to maintain the different schedule. It, too, I'm convinced, helps to keep the weight off.

Thanks.

[circle110]

Originally Posted by Longford

Since first moving to Mexico and through the years while there and after I've left but still return regularly ... I've changed my eating habits to correspond to the "Mexican eating schedule" you speak of. Doing so has made it a challenge to socialize with friends and family when they're on a different schedule, but I've worked hard to maintain the different schedule. It, too, I'm convinced, helps to keep the weight off.

Thanks.

Like you, I changed my eating schedule to "a la mexicana" several years before moving here permanently. I can completely relate to how it makes it difficult for socializing. If I was eating with friends I would usually eat a yogurt or an apple at the normal hour of my "comida" so I could make it to the US dinner hour.

I too am convinced that the desayuno/comida/cena schedule helps keep weight off.

[stilltraveling]

Originally Posted by KevMc

So does anyone have a diet for weight loss that they would be willing to share with me using the foods and dishes here in Mexico that I could start eating in order to lose these extra pounds?

Whenever I find my pants starting to fit a little tight, I simply stay off meat and alcohol during the week. I make a run to the local market on Monday and buy lots of whatever is in season. Then I pig out on vegetables and fresh fruit in soups, salads and the like. Stay away from mayonnaise, cream, bread and excessive amounts of oil. Typical Mexican salsas are very low in calories and add a lot of flavor. You can eat huge portions of very nutritious food in this manner and still only manage to take in 1000 calories in a day. Throw in a 2-3 tortillas per day (100 calories each) and that's about it. Nothing too complicated. By the weekend, everything fits again and I can enjoy eating my usual fatty carnivorous diet with the requisite cocktails and wine. The best part is, after five days of nothing but fruits and vegetables, that ribeye tastes like pure heaven.

P.S. As a physician I'm also supposed to tell you to start exercising, but over the years I've come to realize that people are going to do what they're going to do regardless of what I tell them, so there it is.

[stilltraveling]

Originally Posted by circle110

We set a cap of once a month for eating at our favorite taco stand. The infrequency makes it all the more special when we do go.

Luckily for me, I live in Cuernavaca where all the tacos SUCK.

[RVGRINGO]

Drink more water, a lot more water. Eat less and walk more.
Nothing else works.