Health Benefits of Latin Cuisine

Let’s debunk a food myth. Latin food IS healthy.

People associate Latin food with Mexican food and associate Mexican food with unhealthy & cheap cuisine. This is false! There is a lot of high quality & healthy Mexican cuisine available (tons of vegan/vegetarian options) and lots of healthy and highly quality Latin foods. When I say Latin cuisine I’m talking about Peruvian, Spanish, Cuban, Brazilian, Salvadorian, Venezuelan, etc. If you’ve ever visited one these countries, you know that most of the people are not overweight or obese. Their foods are made fresh and are high in nutrients. Fruits, vegetables, and fish are major parts of Latin cuisine.

Now that you’re more open minded about Latin cuisine, let me talk about an amazing Peruvian restaurant located in Santa Monica called Qusqo Bistro! This small business is owned by a women and features authentic Peruvian soul food that she learned from her grandmother. Her food is flavorful, filling, and HEALTHY! Many of her dishes are packed with foods high in anti-oxidants. Like her chicha juice which comes from purple corn and aids in faster metabolism.🌶.  The juice has been around for thousands of years( pre-Inkan) and it’s valued for its antioxidants. Peruvians believe that you should drink a glass of chicha a day to better your health. I had a glass before eating my dinner and I felt like my body was able to metabolize my food better.

The food at Qusqo Bistro is packed with fresh fruits and vegetables. In fact, the owner her self goes out every day to get high quality fresh produce. Many of her dishes contain chillies and bell peppers which are known to boost metabolism and aide in fat loss. Additionally, peppers are packed with nutrients like Vitamin A, C, potassium, folic acid, and fiber. My favorite dishes from my last visit were the Fried Plantains, Tallarin Saltado (ginger noodles with shrimp or chicken), and Palta Rellena (an avocado stuffed with quinoa salad). You can see photos of all of the food below.

Now let’s chat about their Sangria. Their Sangria is amazing! You’ll see the empty glass in the photo above (ooops). Notice, how much fresh fruit is in that glass. This Sangria is made the authentic way that I had when visiting Spain. Their Sangria is a nice blend of red wine and fruit. Not too sweet, and made with fresh ingredients. A truly crafted cocktail from Qusqo Bistro. You can easily drink a pitcher of this Sangria during a dinner with friends. There is also a lovely gallery and festive decorations inside to make for a fun ambiance for small get togethers with friends. I know getting together with friends is up in the air during this COVID crisis, but you can always order take out and have a virtual happy hour.

I hope that reading this has helped to open your eyes to the wonders of Peruvian and other Latin cuisine. Comment below some of your favorite Latin inspired dishes and drinks.