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Nutrition

Is pozole healthy? Learn all about its ingredients
Nutrition

Is pozole healthy? Learn all about its ingredients

By Eloísa Carmona - 2020-12-28T16:05:12Z
Pozole is so delicious that many of us think it can't be that nutritious because often, the tastiest things are the ones we hesitate to eat without knowing what they provide us; however, pozole is healthy.

This dish includes all food groups, as the ingredients for pozole typically include meat, corn, and the vegetables it is accompanied with, such as radishes and lettuce. But if you were also wondering if pozole makes you gain weight, we will prove that it does not.

There is a version without pork, and you can see the chicken pozole recipe here.

The origin of pozole is rooted in offerings to the god Xipe Tótec of the Mexica culture, and its name in Nahuatl means foam, because when the corn kernels open, they resemble foam in the water. Cooking pozole corn is one of the most important steps in its preparation, so it is not surprising that its name refers to them.

The ingredients for pozole are usually the same for its base: water, cacahuazintle corn, garlic, and onions, and for protein, pork meat, which is usually spine, pulp, and head, to provide a lot of flavor, plus it is seasoned with lettuce, radishes, dried oregano, and a touch of chili piquin.

The result is a complete broth, with all the nutrients a meal should have, that does not make you gain weight and is not just a dish for national holidays, as long as you watch your portions and maintain a balanced diet every day.

In fact, the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) has stated that it is a great dish, but warns that to avoid gaining weight, what should be avoided are the snacks that accompany it, such as toasted tortillas with cream, pork cracklings, gorditas, wings, or pig's feet.



Pozole is healthy because a cup of 90 to 100 grams with about 60 grams on average will provide you with around 228 calories and about 27 grams of protein, while cacahuazintle corn is a source of vitamin B7 or biotin, vitamin A, iron, potassium, and magnesium.

If you accompany it with radish, you can also take advantage of its nutrients, as it contains vitamins E, A, C, B6, and K, as well as being high in antioxidants, fiber, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium, among other minerals.

On the other hand, lettuce is the perfect food because it is high in nutrient content but low in calories; for example, 85 grams of lettuce would benefit you with 1 gram of protein, 1 gram of fiber, and 149% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin K, 127% of vitamin A, and 9% of manganese, among others.

So whether it's during national holidays or any day for lunch, pozole is healthy if you eat it in the right portions and know how to accompany it with the right vegetables.