Tacos al pastor, a healthy option

One of the most iconic dishes of Mexican cuisine are tacos . They are very versatile and besides being delicious they have an interesting story behind them. Tacos date back to pre-colonial times . Farmers transported their food in tortillas so they could eat, and so tacos were born.

Nowadays, there are several kinds of tacos, such as tacos de suadero , stews , and tongue , but one of the most popular are tacos al pastor.

Tacos al pastor are made of spiced pork, pineapple, onion, coriander, lime , and, of course, salsa .

The website Taste Atlas , specialized in international gastronomy, named tacos al pastor the world’s favorite dish .

Tacos al pastor: the world's favorite dish

However, it is not only a matter of flavor : tacos al pastor can also be healthy .

In 2013 , students from the Chemistry, Foods and Environment Engineering Department of the Americas University in Puebla made a study that showed that five tacos al pastor , with all the traditional ingredients, contain:

1. 11.92% of fats
2. 20.77% of proteins
3. 42.47% of moisture
4. 23.51% of carbohydrates
5. 1.33% of mineral nutrients

In comparison, there are fiber bars in the market that contain from 20% to 30% of fats. In addition, the ingredients of tacos al pastor have health benefits by themselves.

The story behind tacos

For instance, coriander is rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E ; minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus . It helps detox the body, reduce swelling, and improves bowel transit.

Onion

is a vegetable rich in vitamin C , which helps fight common cold symptoms. It also contains calcium, magnesium, copper, and potassium , which improve blood circulation.

Additionally, tortillas contain calcium that promotes bone health, and pineapple has diuretic effects.

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According to the Mexican System of Equivalent Foods (SMAE) these are the calories contained in tacos al pastor:

1. 332 kilocalories (per piece)
2. 16 grams of protein
3. 9 grams of fat
4. 32 grams of carbohydrates

So, if by the end of this article you are craving for tacos al pastor, you can eat them guilt-free for they are healthy and supply nutrients to our body.

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