Corn Tortillas: Mexican and Central American Diet

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Recommended: The meaning of the corn for the Mayans

Corn tortillas are a very important component of the Mexican and Central American diet. They date back several thousands of years. However, there is no clear record of their origin. According to the Mayan creation legend, when the gods decided to create man they tried using different materials but the only material that worked was corn. Quetzalcoatl descended to Mictlán, the place of the dead. From there, he took some bones and went to the goddess, Coatlicue. The goddess grinded the bones together with corn, creating the dough that Quetzalcoatl turned into humans, thus Mayan men are “men of corn”. As the story demonstrates, there is a strong emphasis on corn and its by-products in this region. Ultimately, tortillas partake in several components of the biocultural framework that affect the nutritional status of this population. To begin with one of the strongest indicators of nutritional status is the diet consumed. Today in Mexico, 630 million corn tortillas are consumed on a daily basis. Although corn tortillas do not provide the sufficient or adequate daily nutrients for the individual, they are a significant source of carbohydrates, fiber, protein and calories in this region. In a research study in Oaxaca, Mexico, children in a low economic status only received 63% of the recommended nutritional intake and the primary source of their fiber, protein and energy was from tortillas. In addition, corn tortillas are also the primary component of several traditional dishes such as chilaquiles, enchiladas, tacos dorados, tostadas, and quesadillas. In addition to these dishes, tortillas are also placed on the dinner table in a basket for every meal to form tacos and accompany other traditional dishes. In summary, tortillas do not simp... ... middle of paper ... ...t.org/trial_investigations/1051194/mexicos_poor_suffer_as_food_speculation_fuels_tortilla_crisis.html>. "Mexico's Economy." Economist. (2007): n. page. Print. . "Niacin Defiency." News-Medical.Net . N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb 2014. "Tortilla, Crucial Element of Mexican Gastronomy." Equipo Editorial Explorando México. n N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb 2014. . "Tortilla Talk: Nutritional Information." Tortilla Industry Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb 2014. . Wyatt, C. Jane, and M.A. Triana Tejas. "Nutrient Intake and Growth of Preschool Children from Different Socioeconomic Regions in the City of Oaxaca, México." Nutrition And Metabolism. 44. (2000): n. page. Print.

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