In recent articles we have talked about movement, about the essential balance of mind and body, about easy and delicious ideas for healthy eating, about how to prevent allergies and more. We have really covered many issues. So here we go, one more column to continue sharing this space and grow together!
Today we are going to talk about some typical Costa Rican habits that must be analyzed in order to detect what effect they have on our health.
Although we have seen a boom in healthy habits in the population, there are certainly not-so-healthy habits that persist in this society.
#1: Using your vehicle too much
We should not make generalizations, but it is a very present truth in Costa Rica: we are increasingly dependent on our vehicles, therefore, we walk less. The benefits of owning a vehicle have made us slowly become more sedentary people.
I do not intend to get people to stop using their vehicles. I want simply that we find a balance between the hours we spent sitting and the hours we move. Maybe using the bike whenever possible, or walking short distances, or climb stairs instead of using the elevator, might compensate for those unavoidable hours of driving, working, and sitting. Small changes are always possible!
#2 Typical dishes
A casado at lunch is so delicious! But what if we eat this dish every day? Many do, and if your work is heavily physical, it certainly does you well, because a good casado is usually healthy with a balance of meats, salad, hash, beans and even bananas. The problem is that sometimes we add a few more things, such as sauces, a soda, and why not, some bread or potato chips.
Typical Latin American dishes are a bit loaded with flours and fats that could eventually take their toll. Could we limit the weekly amount and keep a close eye on the quality of the food we eat?
#3 The coffee hour
Well, no one wants to get rid of that! Coffee time is also a super fun social time and a good excuse to meet with friends or family on any afternoon and share coffee with a few pieces of bread and butter, cheese or homemade jelly. Or with some tostelitos from the bakery around the corner.
So it’s important to keep in mind that with balance and without excess everything is possible! One less casado, one less tostelito, and a little more walking in our day to day and no doubt we will all notice a positive change in our bodies.