I plead guilty: the very first thing I do before teaching my daily yoga lesson is to buy a tasteless coffee in an Oxxo store. It’s lukewarm, too sweet and certainly not good for my glucose tips. But I buy it. Several times a week. And unfortunately, I am not the only one.
The natives of Mexico City – and essentially of all those who move in the capital – know that we never have time for nothing. Intense traffic, tumultuous crowds everywhere and more and longer lines charge a high assessment in terms of time for us who live here.
As in other big cities, people believe that there is no time to sit and have a good meal. Coffee breaks are closest that we have at some point to breathe easily – and yes, even me, as a yoga teacher, suffering from time to time. Hungry? Okay, find the nearest convenience store – “Para Quitarnos El Hambre”, we tend to think, “to fill an empty belly”. Enter Oxxo diet.
Chips, sandwiches in the refrigerator, chocolates, soda, terrible coffee: that’s exactly what the convenience store lunch. Why will you ask, you may be asking, the Mexicans want to eat one of these things if they were proud of their freshness local kitchen? Well, Mexico City takes time. And the clock turns.
Mexico
The painter Francisco de Goya was right when he represented Saturn, the Roman god of time, like a hungry monster devouring his own child. Living in Chaotic Mexico, it feels like the city devours its children – as well as all our time.
More than once, I heard my students complain that they don’t have time to prepare breakfast. It is a commonplace, especially for those who do not live near their workplaces. 67% of people living in the capital take an average of 43 minutes in the office, according to the The latest figures from the Ministry of Economy. Of course, this does not take into account the massive number of Mexico State workers who travel up to three hours to work in the city – no wonder we often say that walking to work is a privilege.
More often than not, Starbucks and other similar establishments are too expensive for capital residents. Since their coffee of the day costs between 48 and 99 pesos, paying 29 pesos for the same coffee in a convenience store is much more affordable – post -coffee anxiety attacks and everything.
I first met the term “oxxo diet” in a Item of the daily CEO of Mexico News Travis Bembenek. The reason why people succumb to the terrible convenience store, he says, is clear: Oxxo stores are still nearby. Their slogan is “at the Vuelta of you emptied”, for the love of Christ: “just at the corner of your life”. By walking in the aisles, it is too difficult to avoid grasping a candy bar. Also take a sandwich in the refrigerator, for lunch. And probably a soda too. It is not surprising that about 18.3% of the adult Mexican population leads a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, according to the The latest data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT).
For this, of course, convenience stores are not to be blamed alone. “(In addition) bad eating habits full of refined sugars, saturated fats and sodium,” warns the Ministry of Health“In addition to a sedentary lifestyle, obesity and genetic factors”. What should be done to avoid the dreaded Oxxo diet?
The coolest, the better!
Consumers are not to be blamed for their lack of time. During my corporate years, I too have been the victim of tight work schedules and restrictive lunch breaks. However, even in Chaotic Mexico, we have cooler and healthier options for an appropriate breakfast.
If you live or stay in the Roma-Condesa region, there are a lot of cafes To try before work. However, if you are in an era of the coveted digital nomad, you can enjoy my hometown at another level. There are a lot of Convivial co-work spaces that you can tryIf you cross the Avenida Ámsterdam circuit, you will trip on a new coffee with every step you make. Do not miss the chance to try any of these elements. One of my personal favorites is Matcha of meEspecially during these dry spring days, when I get an iced matcha latte. If my partner comes with me, we usually command the Lavender-Lavender shortcake, garnished with real edible flowers. New York style cheesecake is too soft for me, but it’s a favorite of fans these days.
I probably do not suggest the healthiest alternatives at this stage – and my reference to Esanut figures is probably revealed now. However, the Roma-Condesa region has some of the best vegan options in Mexico City. If in doubt, ask Old Friend Google Maps: the nearest cafes near my home. Read criticism and choose! In addition to the freshly prepared roasted coffee with a delicious avocado toast, you support local businesses at reasonable prices.
Andrea Fischer contributes to the office of the features of Mexico News Daily. She edited and wrote for National Geographic in Spanish And Very interesting MexicoAnd continues to be a defender of everything that screams science. Or yoga. Or both.
