Rediscover the Milpa Diet: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Health

JOSÉ MARÍA MORELOS, Q.R. — In an era dominated by fast and processed foods, the Universidad Intercultural Maya de Quintana Roo (UIMQROO) has brought to the fore a topic that touches both the stomach and identity: "The Milpa Diet." As part of the National Healthy Living Week, students heard firsthand how ancestral knowledge remains key to modern well-being.

The conference, delivered by Nutritionist Alejandra Hernández Ortiz and Professor Mario Pérez San Román, invited the student body to look toward their roots. Both specialists explained that the Mesoamerican food model, based on corn, beans, squash, and chili, not only represents nutritional balance but also serves as a powerful tool for preventing the chronic diseases that afflict the current population.

"The revival of the milpa diet is not a cultural whim, but a real strategy to improve health and recognize the value of our food identity," stated Nutritionist Hernández Ortiz during her presentation, highlighting that this system does not require luxuries or imported products, but rather utilizes what the local land provides.

Attendees reflected on how conscious and sustainable eating can be a form of resistance against the homogenization of fast and ultra-processed food. The presentation also underscored the importance of transmitting ancestral knowledge from generation to generation, as a living heritage that gives meaning and a sense of belonging to Mayan communities and all of Mexico.

Professor Mario Pérez San Román emphasized that the milpa is not merely a plot of cultivated land, but a symbol of community organization and the responsible use of natural resources. "When we speak of the milpa diet, we speak of a lifestyle that balances the human being with their environment," he said, connecting with UIMQROO's vision of integrating science, tradition, and environmental consciousness.

With initiatives like this, the Universidad Intercultural Maya reaffirms its role in the comprehensive formation of its student community, promoting healthy and culturally relevant lifestyles. Beyond an academic topic, "The Milpa Diet" serves as a reminder that the future of food may indeed be found in the seeds of the past.