Latinos are Hot & Sexy… Until We Move to the U.S.
by Laura Martinez, originally published at Mi Blog Es Tu Blog
Finally, somebody has come forward with a sound explanation of why I don’t look like my gorgeous self back in Mexico City like 20 years ago.
A new book by Dr. Manny Alvarez The Hot Latin Diet: The Fast Track Plan to a Bombshell Body, claims to have studied dozens of Latinos who have seen their gorgeous bodies turn into chubby, disgusting flabs as soon as they hit American soil. Excerpt:
“Most families who immigrate from the Caribbean basin and other points of Latin America are fit and trim when they arrive in the United States; however, if you look at this same community three years later, they are usually overweight.”
To help counter such alarming trend, Dr. Manny includes in his book a series of recipes that include some “South American classics,” including avocados, garlic, tomatillos, cilantro, cinnamon and jalapeños…
Wait a second: I grew up eating lots of that stuff and -trust me- I am far from looking like the woman in the blue bikini.
Perhaps Dr. Manny can help further?
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of
locked wrote:
LOL. Stuff like this kills me, what a great way to to completely isolate the overweight latinos in Latin-America.
Posted 26 May 2008 at 9:15 am ¶
Renee wrote:
I think it is about reinforcing the idea that people from Latin descent are supposed to be exotic. Anyone that doesn’t fit the “stereotype” of the ” hot tamale” is somehow not “truly” Latin in the colonist vision.
Posted 26 May 2008 at 10:55 am ¶
gothic guera wrote:
I adore the cuisine from Veracruz with it’s fish and chicken and vegetables and aromatic soups. I noticed the in north Mexico, the food seems to be greasy salty. (In my experience) I wonder how old were the people he studied since when you do get older a lot of people gain weight when they were 40 or 50. Or what about growing children I mean I gained weight, three years ago keep in mind I’m 18 now. am I fat?, I certainly don’t look like that. Keep in mind Dr.Manny works for fox news, sooooo. yeah right. Also what self- respecting doctor is goes by Manny?
Posted 26 May 2008 at 11:40 am ¶
superchunk12 wrote:
I wonder why he isn’t addressing the lack of places to get healthy foods in many communities of color. So sick of this blaming the victim crap.
Posted 26 May 2008 at 11:58 am ¶
Tiki wrote:
Interesting.
Does Dr. Manny’s book put any of the weight gain in context with the high availability of processed-fatty-artificial food in America relative to the availability of same in a Latino’s country of origin?
Does he talk about dietary shifts in the immigrate population before and after immigration?
Posted 26 May 2008 at 12:59 pm ¶
llchavez wrote:
I saw a billboard for this book and it killed me. Specially since it touted Dr. Alvarez as a beacon of the Hispanic community or some such, and I have never heard of him. You know that Margaret Cho joke that says when you hear that “Asian” music in any film, tv show or documentary featuring east asian folks, you know you’re “fucked”? Well, every time someone uses the words “Hot” and “Latin” together, you know you’re in for some reductionist, stereotypical bullshit about sexy mamis and big butts. And PS, no one is going to get a 24 inch waist eating rice and beans, come on. Latinos “get fat” in the US for the same reason everyone gets fat in the US, because of disgusting fattening food in really large portions.
I am always in awe of the low status and disgusting representations of us so-called “Latinos” and “Hispanics” in this country, given the fact that if you count the illegals, there are more Hispanics in the US than African Americans and Asian Americans combined. All the depictions of Hispanic men and women in the media always fall within the same reductionist and negative parameters, be it sexy mamis like J. Lo, Eva Mendes and Eva Longoria, to the incredible career of one Ned Hollins, a half-white, half-Honduran man who goes by the name of “Carlos Mencia” and impersonates some kind of ignorant stereotypical Mexican everyman in his comedy act. It’s all a minstrel show. Take a look at that musical “In the Heights” a Latin minstrelsy show if there ever was one.
Posted 26 May 2008 at 3:57 pm ¶
Feminist Review wrote:
Apparently he doesn’t get the effects of poverty and environmental racism on one’s physical health.
Posted 26 May 2008 at 6:56 pm ¶
marge twain wrote:
One more time:
fit =/= trim!
Posted 27 May 2008 at 2:20 am ¶
Michelle wrote:
@ marge twain
ya feel me?!
Fat =/= disgusting
fat =/= unhealthy
my body =/= something for you to write a damn book about
Posted 28 May 2008 at 1:47 am ¶
Ike wrote:
“I am always in awe of the low status and disgusting representations of us so-called “Latinos” and “Hispanics” in this country, given the fact that if you count the illegals, there are more Hispanics in the US than African Americans and Asian Americans combined.”
I find this statement problematic. First, it seems to pit different minority groups against each other. It is entirely possible to elevate media representations of all three groups at once.
Also, the statement seems to assume that African Americans and Asian Americans don’t face problems with stereotypical media portrayals, which is untrue.
Posted 28 May 2008 at 9:49 am ¶