Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez help fight childhood obesity

Despite the Hispanic paradox, it is a fact that Latin diet is unhealthy and something needs to be done about it. That is why we have supported the Latin Diet Pyramid. Now Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have done their part by highlighting the ING Run For Something Better program for Latino kids.

Please use the Latin Diet Pyramid

Despite the Hispanic paradox, most Hispanics eat those delicious but deadly Latin dishes. The result: obesity and diabetes are widespread among them. That is not the way things used to be. In fact, during my travels to small towns in Latin America, I found that the food was fresher, healthier, and delicious, without the calories. In other words, the Latin people are cooking the wrong way.

Lorena and I have come up with healthier versions of almost all Latin dishes, but a group Latino Nutritional Coalition has put together not only a new Latin Diet Pyramid but has also produced an excellent guide to healthy eating.

While sponsored by food companies, the guide also has some healthy recipes for traditional Latin dishes.

Yes, you can go once in a while to Rosa Mexicano type restaurants, but if you are trying to eat right and be fit, then you will need to make significant changes in your diet.

Please, if you are a Latin person, download the Camino Magico guide for yourself and forward this page to others who might learn something from this guide.

The Hispanic Paradox

When we first read of the "Hispanic Paradox" in The New York Times, we were indeed intrigued. Our assumption was that all those delicious Latin dishes were deadly if not consumed less frequently and in small volumes.

Looks as if we were right. Maybe there is no Hispanic paradox; the way some smokers outlive healthy people, similarly, a few Latinas may also do better than most others. According to research conducted by Dr. John C. Teeters (University of Rochester), compared with white women, Hispanic women develop risk factors for heart disease (and cardiac arrest) about a decade earlier. Dr. Teeters emphasizes that these disparities are most likely caused by both genetics and lifestyle.

What can you do?

• Read how to be fit.
• Limit your consumption of those exotic Mexican dishes.
• If you are a Latina, head over to Lindisima.com and check out tips on diet, exercise, and weight loss.
• If you happen to know a Latina, do her a favor by telling her about this research. Forward this page or print it and pass on a copy to her.