Five BetterBody Foods recipes that make for the perfect Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Eating healthy at celebrations can feel overwhelming. Especially on Cinco de Mayo, attempting authentic meals balanced with food and fiesta can seem impossible. Can Cinco de Mayo food be healthy, too?
I was recently hired by BetterBodyFoods to be their Freelance Copywriter, and I’ve compiled five of my favorite recipes perfect for a healthy Cinco de Mayo spread! After navigating holidays with food sensitivities for over five years now, I’m grateful for companies like BetterBody Foods that have great tasting health foods for people (like me) who rely on alternatives. While keeping authentic, these recipes trade conventional ingredients for ones that are - well - better for your body.
Read on for five fiesta-worthy recipes from my newest client, BetterBody Foods. Which recipe are you most excited to make for Cinco de Mayo?
How to Make Mexican Recipes Authentic & Healthy
While I’m not of Mexican descent, I did grow up in San Antonio. I remember moving to Utah and people raving about their favorite Mexican foods and restaurants...SPOILER ALERT -- these people had not had *real* Mexican food. I was lied to!!
Okay, enough with the dramatics. Point is, authentic tasting Mexican food can be hard to find. And it can seem even harder to create with healthy ingredients.
The good news? Authentic-tasting, traditional Mexican dishes can be both healthy and satisfying.
Brush Up On Tradition
I recently consulted on a Cinco de Mayo article that is a great refresher on the roots of the celebration. Cinco de Mayo is often referred to as “Mexican Independence Day”, however it is actually a day honoring the unlikely Mexican victory against the elitist French forces at the Battle of Puebla. Mexican independence is celebrated on September 16 and is an entirely different holiday.
Cinco de Mayo celebrations take place in many cities, but Puebla, Mexico, is understandably the location of holiday heritage. Pueblan cuisine and old world flavors mix together to give Cinco de Mayo dishes their signature flavor.
Bringing In the New
Just like the roots of Cinco de Mayo food, it’s okay to mix old and new flavors while staying authentic to Mexican dishes. That’s exactly what these BetterBody Food recipes have done!
5 of My Favorite BetterBody Foods Recipes for a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
The following images are courtesy of BetterBody Foods. Clicking on each image will lead you to the original recipe & post.
Keto Pozole | Keto, Gluten Free
Recipe: Linked here
High in protein and healthy fats from the avocado, this pozole is an authentic Mexican meal. It is full of flavor and made of classic ingredients like chiles, jalapeños, garlic, and cilantro.
While it is considered a warm winter soup, it’s made with many vegetables that reach their peak in the spring! It’s a great recipe for those in places where the weather is taking a while to warm up.
Elote Mexican Street Corn | Vegetarian, Gluten Free
Recipe: Linked here
Practically every ingredient in this recipe is a staple of Mexican cuisine. Cotija cheese, limes, and chili powder add a special spice to this classic street corn. The best part is that each ear of corn ends up being around 100 calories each!
Watermelon Jicama Salad with Chili Pomegranate Vinaigrette |
Vegetarian, Vegan, Keto, Gluten Free
Recipe: Linked here
The jicama originally grew in Mexico, but quickly became a global phenomenon. It’s often called a Mexican potato or Mexican water chestnut. It’ s packed with nutrients, high in antioxidants, and contains prebiotic fibers to improve digestion. The watermelon also supplies high hydration, making this dish perfect for fueling a celebration!
Mexican Chocolate Gluten Free Muffins | Vegetarian, Dairy Free, Gluten free
Recipe: Linked here
This recipe is the perfect way to get rid of that pesky can of pumpkin puree that’s taking up space in your pantry. Cinnamon and a pinch of pepper gives these muffins their signature Mexican chocolate taste. I love that this recipe uses coconut sugar, which is lower on the glycemic index than regular sugar.
Skinny Margarita | Vegetarian, Vegan
Recipe: Linked here
Give your marg a nice kick of vitamin C with this Skinny Margarita recipe. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute sparkling water for the tequila. The orange juice and lime juice help add nutrients and the water and ice add hydration. This recipe also uses a lower glycemic Monk Fruit Blend instead of a blood sugar-spiking sucrose (table sugar).
Did you try these recipes?
Which recipe are you most excited to try? I’d love to hear what you thought of them! Let me know by commenting on this post, or by connecting via my social accounts @anniweeksnutrition.
References
Grove M. 8 Health and Nutrition Benefits of Jicama. Healthline.com. Published May 30, 2018.