Breakfasts round the world: AMERICA

It is the first meal of the day. Many say that breakfast is the most important because it is indispensable for good health. As soon as we wake up, we need to replenish the body and replenish energy to resume activities and start an active and productive day.

The ideal for breakfast is to eat a little of each food group, which are carbohydrates, proteins and fats, but foods are never made up of just one nutrient, and that’s pretty good. For example, fruits are rich in carbohydrates, but they also have many vitamins, minerals, fiber, phytochemicals. Chestnuts have many good fats (monounsaturated) and also fiber, in a bread can have fiber and fats of seeds and olive oil. Anyway, you have to vary.

This is the first article in a series of five that we show for the Babylon Radio reader. Take your cup of tea or coffee, because we are already going to delight us in the American continent.

United States

The typical North American breakfast has influences from the English colonization. Basically, on the morning menu there are Homemade Pancakes with plenty of syrup and blueberries, plus a little slice of toasted bacon. This is not considered a healthy breakfast. It can be replaced with a bowl of muesli, which is a type of morning cereal.

Canada

Much like the American breakfast, the typical breakfast in Canada is pretty heavy for what we’re used to, even looking like brunch. Cooked eggs or an omelette, sausages, bacon, pancakes, croissants, waffles and toasted bread with jelly or peanut butter. There is a French influence on the Canadian table.

Mexico

The typical dishes of Mexico arose through the cultural practices of the pre-Columbian peoples, especially the Aztecs, who also later acquired certain customs of the Spanish settlers in the sixteenth century, mainly with the use of spices. But soon, Mexicans have the habit of eating nachos, cheese, eggs, beans, and chorizo. Modern versions can still come with avocado.

Costa Rica and Nicaragua

Gallo Pinto is the typical dish of these two countries. It consists of rice and black beans, with optional parsley, sour cream and an omelet. Costa Ricans also do not often miss out on avocado or banana mates.

Brazil

Brazil, being a country with continental dimensions and an immense cultural variety, has many kinds of breakfasts. There are options with tapioca – a kind of pancake made with manioc starch -, cakes of various flavors and cheeses – from the colonial to the traditional made in Minas Gerais. And it is in this state that also includes in the morning menu the cheese bread, milk and a strong cup of coffee. But, definitely, milk, coffee and baked bread are almost always present at all Brazilian tables.

Venezuela and Bolivia

As in most Latin American countries, empanadas are the flagship, whether for a snack or for breakfast. They can come filled with fresh cheese, ground beef or mixed combinations of vegetables and beans.

Argentina

Usually consists of the combination of the mate with the traditional “facturas”, very similar to the croissants. Of course a good churros of dulce de leche is not ever refused at any time of the day.

Begin the day by eating well. Next week, we’re going back to Europe.