Latino Nutrition Coalition Provides Tools to Help Latinos Eat Healthy

It is no secret that Latinos are at higher risk for certain health issues, such as diabetes and premature births. In some cases genetics, income level, or environment may directly affect the risk. However, in other cases, nutrition may be a contributing factor.

The Latino Nutrition Coalition (LNC) is an education program implemented by Oldways, a non-profit organization dedicated to food issues and improving lifestyles by encouraging healthy eating and drinking. The LNC is an alliance of chefs, scientists, policy makers and others who are involved in identifying nutritional issues within the Latino community and working towards positive changes using education programs and tools such as the Latin American Diet Pyramid and the Camino Mágico Supermarket Guide.

Their web site is an invaluable tool for mamis who are looking for a little help with planning family meals and snacks. I was pleasantly surprised to find it. With pages available in both English and Spanish, the site has a variety of helpful pages, like information on health issues directly affecting Latinos, and one which includes more detailed descriptions of Latin ingredients to accompany the Latin American Diet Pyramid.

In addition to providing free downloads for education materials like those mentioned above, it also has a great collection of traditional – yet nutritious – recipes, such as Green Plantain Tortillas, Paella, Peruvian Quinoa and Orange Salad, and other meals from all over Latin America.

To check out their site and get more recipes like the one below, visit www.latinonutrition.org.

Colombian Beef and Sweet Potato Stew
A hearty stew for a cold day.

Ingredients
1 pound cubed, lean beef1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon pepper1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil3 cups peeled sweet potato, cut in 1 inch pieces2 teaspoons garlic, finely chopped1 dry bay leaf1 cinnamon stick1 large onion, cut into eighths1 (28 ounce) can low-sodium stewed tomatoes8 dried apricots, cut in halfchopped fresh parsley

Cooking Instructions
1. Remove excess fat from beef, cut into cubes,and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
2. In a skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat
3. Cook beef in oil for 5 minutes, stirringoccasionally, until brown.
4. Mix beef and remaining ingredients, exceptapricots and parsley, in a crock pot, and cook onlow for 8 hours or until beef is tender.
5. Stir in apricots and cook on low for about 15minutes until apricots have softened.
6. Discard bay leaf and cinnamon stick, andsprinkle with parsley.

Makes 6 servings.