A study was released Thursday that showed that Medellin residents rely primarily on rice and arepas, a form of corn bread for their daily nutrition.
The study, which was conducted in 384 Medellin households, reported that 85.9% of those surveyed consume rice every day and 84.9% consumed at least one arepa every day. Only 2.3% responded that do not regularly eat baked goods and 12.2% responded that they only eat baked goods every two weeks.
Residents of Medellin, commonly known as “paisas,” also favored other forms of carbohydrates, with 61.5% of Medelllinians reporting that they consumed potatoes or cassava every day. Bean consumption, however, has decreased.
The reliance on grains as staple ingredients in the paisa diet is driven both by economics and changing health perceptions, the study argued. Increased bean and meat prices have driven many families to rice and corn as their primary source of calories, and rising health concerns have led many Medellininans to avoid what they perceive as fatty, unhealthy food.
The study also found that eating patterns have changed, with most Medellin citizens consuming food seven times a day and with breakfast usurping dinner as the primary meal of the day.
