For those of us watching our weight....better than "South Beach Diet".
The South Florida (Cuban) Diet
Breakfast:
Café con Leche: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and we begin it with the drink of generations. Café con Leche, the lifeblood of the Cuban
breakfast. Must use whole milk. Nothing will jump start your metabolism quicker than caffeine and calcium. Café con leche is to the Cuban child what a
triple-shot, double vanilla nonfat mocha latte dark is to a member of corporate America.
Cuban Tortilla: (not to be confused with a Mexican tortilla): Cubans will take beaten eggs, add anything they could find in the Frigidare, fry it up in
a pan and call it a tortilla. Then they will take this egg concoction and put it between two eight inch slices of Cuban bread (May substitute for whole
wheat bread) and call it Pan con Tortilla (Carbohydrates, Protein, Starch and Cholesterol all rolled up into something that gives you more energy than
the strongest protein power bar. Note: It is a proven fact that when you combine carbohydrates, protein, fat, starch and cholesterol in just the right
combination, they all counteract each other and have absolutely no detrimental effect on the human body. Of course, that human body has to be Cuban.
We know this to be true "Porque en Cuba, nadie padecia de colesterol !"
Lunch & Dinner:
Rice: Every meal must contain rice. Rice a great source of fiber, is low in fat, has no cholesterol and is rich in Vitamin B1, B6, and B12. So what if it
has carbs! Remember:"Dr Atkins se murio por no comer arroz". Add Aceite de Oliva to add flavor and make it shine (it's cholesterol free!)
Beans: High in protein and fiber, Black Beans contain the highest level of Iron than any other bean followed by lentejas, chicharos y frijoles colorados.
It compliments rice like Jamon y queso, Yucca y mojo, or like Celia and Salsa music.
Platanos Maduros: A mainstay in the South Florida Diet. This will surprise you. Plantains contain 8 vitamins and 7 minerals. High in Vitamins A and C as
well as Potassium, 4g of Fiber and 2.5g of protein per serving . Second helping anyone?
Meats: Ropa Vieja, Palomilla Steak, Picadillo, and Boliche are ALL Atkins friendly. Eat to your hearts delight!
Chicken & Fish: Even Atkins didn't complain about these. Approved by Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, and countless other diet gurus. So serve yourself a mountain
of Arroz con Pollo or a second helping of Fricase de Pollo. Y no hay nada mas rico que un pargo (Red Snapper) frito. Los camarones vienen del mar tambien,
so they must be good for you too.
Dessert:
Guava: Guayaba is a fruit, fruits are an important part of any diet, Mango, Papaya, Guanabana, etc. Guayaba is rich in Vitamin A and C and high in fiber,
9 grams! Add a little dairy (cream cheese)and you have a great dessert.
Flan: You may incorporate Flan into your diet after week 2. Sim!lar to crème brulee or natilla, Flan is a gift from Heaven.
Leche Condensada: Ah! Dairy's Best, the Queen of Dairy, a Beautiful elmers glue concoction created by man but sweetened by God. Created with the purpose
to mix with other ingredients, like Malta or Pepsi, to make a heavenly creation. Medically a necessary component of the diet in order to prevent your blood
sugar level from getting too low.
Snacks:
Espresso: It runs through the veins of Cubans everywhere. Good at any time. It increases the metabolism so that you burn more calories.
Pastelitos: You may slowly include these into your diet on week 4. Pastelitos, brazo gitanos, merenguitos, napoleons, tres/cuatro leches, éclairs, etc.
Limit 1 per day.
Mojitos: A great happy hour favorite. No Fat, No Cholesterol !.
