How to eat right, fit exercise into your day and avoid the foreigner 15.
*Update 2020*
Arriving in Buenos Aires can be like arriving as a freshman to college. Promises of big parties, all night affairs and schmorgasborg-style eating that seem too good to be true eventually become reality. It’s all fun and games until somebody puts on 25 pounds. Here are a few ideas to help you enjoy Buenos Aires without needing to buy overpriced new jeans because you popped the zipper on your old ones.
How to eat cow and not look like one!
Buenos Aires cuisine is delicious, but really fattening. From steak with all the juicy fat attached to plump empanadas to salads made of mayonnaise and potatoes, it’s hard to stay trim while enjoying the local delicacies.
Here are 10 tips on how to eat and enjoy in Buenos Aires:
1. Order lean cuts of meat, such as bife de lomo, and avoid too much choripan (chorizo sandwiches). Yes, those are chunks of fat if you were trying to convince yourself otherwise.
2. When invited to an asado, bring vegetables that are tasty when grilled, such as pumpkin, corn, sweet potato and bell peppers.
3. When invited to an asado, bring a big salad with a homemade dressing.
4. Shop at organic markets to support small organic businesses and eat healthy! My favorite is the Galpon Organico located by the Subte B Federico Lacroze at 4171 Federico Lacroze Ave. (and Corrientes Ave.) Be sure to plan ahead, though, they’re open Wed. 9am-1pm and Sat. 9am-3pm
5. Don’t order pizza or empanadas to your house – just don’t make it an option. Don’t keep the magnets on your fridge, no matter how cute the delivery boy is. If you’re craving empanadas go to Cumaná, El Banco Rojo or 1810 Cocina Regional and make it worth it!
6. Share entrees when eating out. Buenos Aires restaurants are (in)famous for their big serving sizes.
7. Eat a healthy breakfast at home. Argentina breakfast generally consists of a LOT of carbs, which is delicious occasionally, but adds up quick if you’re indulging on medialunas multiple times a week.
8. Drink mate! Enjoy this traditional tea drink that’s also a great digestivo!
9. Remember what dulce de leche is made of.
10. Order a café or cortado instead of café con leche (most cafes don’t have reduced fat milk)
Exercising porteño Style!
Porteños love to look good and stay fit. This is proven by a phenomenon I call “that hot chick turned around and she had the face of a 70-year-old.” You’ll be walking down the street and spot a trendy looking young girl from behind. She’s trim and has all the right accessories. She looks like she was born on a Stairmaster and has beautiful shiny hair. All of a sudden, girlfriend turns around. The combination of wrinkles and botox is shocking, but damn! She takes good care of her body. She fills me with hope for the future and a desire to work out.
The men and women of Buenos Aires are very concerned with their appearance, take pride in their bodies and thanks to them, Buenos Aires is full of gyms.
From mega-fashion Megatlon to the rinky-dink Average Joe’s style gym, everyone can find one that fits their style. My style was the overpriced Sport Club until I decided I’d never achieve the buns of the girl with the steal tush implants, so now I’m heading to the dive gym on the corner. Most gyms that have a pool are slightly more expensive. Just splurge during summer months. Don’t pay for the pool access during winter, you won’t use it. Those looking JUST to use the pool can also sign up for exclusive pool use at many gyms.
Pro tip: Many big gyms have “promotional plans” where if you pay with a debit or credit card you have a reduced price. Any special like this has a catch, so always read your contract carefully. I learned this lesson when I signed up at Sport Club a few months ago. Instead of the regular 350 peso a month membership I signed up for the 190 peso a month deal. Soon I realized it wasn’t for me and when I went to quit, the manager said that my contact was for 12 months and to quit I’d have to pay 2-months worth of membership. Turns out, if you drag it out enough, use the word abogado (lawyer) and one other reasonable excuse they’ll waive the fee. This isn’t a country where taking someone to court is a solution, so don’t give up all your money at first. Quitting the gym shouldn’t be an express kidnapping.
For those looking for non-gym exercising, Buenos Aires is full of parks with great running paths. My favorites include, Parque Tres de Febrero in Palermo, the Ecological Reserve in Puerto Madero and the Costanera Norte. While runners avoid busy city sidewalks, there are city blocks that are common for doing loops. Most of these are around plazas or have simply become a safe place to run. A few of these runner-friendly blocks include: Parque Centenario near Caballito, Parque Chacabuco near Avenida Eva Perón and Plaza Irlanda near Juan B. Justo and San Martin.
For those looking to stay in shape while learning new skills, there are endless public classes to take part in. From salsa dancing and acrobatics to martial arts and pole-dancing, there’s something for everyone and generally at low monthly prices. Likewise, Buenos Aires has caught the pilates and yoga bug. While these classes tend to be a little more expensive, they are a great way to relax and meet like-minded people.
Love biking? Either buy a bike or sign up for Eco-bici to use the free public bike system, and stay fit while staying alive on the crazy roads of the city.
Finally, don’t forget about football! Playing soccer or another sport, is an excellent way to stay in shape. There are leagues and pick-up games all over the city – more often than not, boys only. Girls with pelotas (balls, it’s punny, get it?) can form their own teams, but will have serious trouble joining a macho league.
Don’t own a bike, but wanna go for a ride? Bike tours leave daily at 9am, 2pm, and 9pm and cost as little as $65 USD with bike, helmet, guide and snacks. Check it out.
