Because not all Latino cuisine involves high-fat foods, pork-based products, and deep-fried everything, there's a new trend amongst the epi-curious Latinos of America: vegetarian, and vegan, cuisine!

Vegetarianism is the practice of abstaining from the consumption of meat -- red meat, poultry, seafood and the flesh of any other animal; it may also include abstention from by-products of animal slaughter. Vegetarianism can be adopted for different reasons. Many object to eating meat out of respect for sentient life. Such ethical motivations have been codified under various religious beliefs, along with the concept of animal rights. Other motivations for vegetarianism are health-related, political, environmental, cultural, aesthetic or economic. There are varieties of the diet as well: an ovo-vegetarian diet includes eggs but not dairy products, a lacto-vegetarian diet includes dairy products but not eggs, and an ovo-lacto vegetarian diet includes both eggs and dairy products. A vegan, or strict vegetarian, diet excludes all animal products, including eggs, dairy, beeswax and honey. Some vegans also avoid animal products such as leather for clothing and goose-fat for shoe polish.

Various packaged or processed foods, including cake, cookies, candies, chocolate, yogurt and marshmallows, often contain unfamiliar animal ingredients, and may be a special concern for vegetarians due to the likelihood of such additions. Often, products are reviewed by vegetarians for animal-derived ingredients prior to purchase or consumption. Vegetarians vary in their feelings regarding these ingredients, however. For example, while some vegetarians may be unaware of animal-derived rennet's role in the usual production of cheese and may therefore unknowingly consume the product, other vegetarians may not take issue with its consumption.

Semi-vegetarian diets consist largely of vegetarian foods, but may include fish or poultry, or sometimes other meats, on an infrequent basis. Those with diets containing fish or poultry may define meat only as mammalian flesh and may identify with vegetarianism. A pescetarian diet has been described as "fish but no other meat." The common use association between such diets and vegetarianism has led vegetarian groups such as the Vegetarian Society to state that diets containing these ingredients are not vegetarian, due to fish and birds being animals.

According to a report issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, "in prospective studies of adults, compared to non-vegetarian eating patterns, vegetarian-style eating patterns have been associated with improved health outcomes-lower levels of obesity, a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, and lower total mortality. Several clinical trials have documented that vegetarian eating patterns lower blood pressure. On average, vegetarians consume a lower proportion of calories from fat (particularly saturated fatty acids), fewer overall calories, more fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, than do non-vegetarians. Vegetarians generally have a lower body mass index. These characteristics and other lifestyle factors associated with a vegetarian diet may contribute to the positive health outcomes that have been identified among vegetarians."

As former Mexican Women's National Soccer team captain, Monica González can personally attest to the importance of eating nutritious foods to lead a healthy lifestyle, both on and off the field. This top female athlete turned sports commentator knows that smart snacking in between rigorous practices, games or running from the press box to the soccer field is important for maintaining energy -- and replenishing key nutrients, like protein and fiber, with good-for-you snacks is an easy and healthy way to refuel. González's role in the sports world has changed over the years, but her snack of choice has not: Wonderful Pistachios continue to be the snack González turns to for that perfect balance of flavor, freshness and all-around snacking enjoyment.

"Two of my favorite things have always been soccer and salty snacks," shared González, "and to me, the 'crack' and delicious taste of pistachios are uniquely satisfying. Having worn the green jersey as captain of the Mexican Women's National Team, pistachios -- the only green nut -- are special to me, which is why I'm thrilled to be working with Wonderful Pistachios this summer. That's why I'm offering my own delicious Latin-inspired pistachio pairings. These snack pairings are perfect to indulge in while rooting for your favorite team and they will get families everywhere 'crackin'' with 'futbol' fever!"

To promote her partnership with Wonderful Pistachios, González will be traveling to select U.S. cities this summer, right up to the first soccer match in Brazil on Thursday, June 12 to kick off the biggest soccer tournament. She will share the campaign's Latin-inspired flavors and pairings, as well as her passion for fútbol.

Latin-Inspired Snacks

Wonderful Pistachios is ready to elevate all soccer enthusiasts' snacking experiences during viewing parties. The seven unique pairing ideas offer a tasty tour of Latin flavors, enhancing the excitement of cracking open the shell. These pairings include pistachios + guava paste (ate de guayaba) + panela cheese; pistachios + jamón serrano + papaya and pistachios + pitted green olives + cubed thick-cut ham, among others. Try one of the pairings today by using one of Wonderful Pistachios popular varieties, like the Lightly Salted and No Salt versions.

Known as the "Skinny Nut", pistachios are one of the lowest fat, lowest calorie nuts available and offer more nuts per serving compared to most other popular snack nuts. In fact, 30 pistachios make a satisfying and delicious snack for about 100 calories per serving.

González was a founding member in 1998 of the Mexican Women's National team and helped lead the team in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. She captained the team from 2003-2007, including the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece -- the nation's first appearance in Olympic soccer competition. González has also played in several Gold Cups and FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifiers for Mexico. She officially joined ESPN in September 2011 as a soccer commentator, following her successful debut as a studio analyst during the network's unprecedented coverage of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany. González serves as a sideline reporter for Major League Soccer, the U.S. Men's and Women's National Teams on ESPN and is a contributor to espn W, ESPN's digital platform for female athletes and fans.

The Wonderful Pistachios brand features upscale, premium packaging and a bold contemporary look, appealing to a sophisticated, health-conscious consumer. Wonderful Pistachios are grown in the San Joaquin Valley, the agricultural heartland of California. Grown, processed and packaged by Paramount Farms, Wonderful Pistachios are available at retail outlets and grocery stores nationwide and are available in a variety of sizes. For more information about Wonderful Pistachios, visit www.getcrackin.com, www.facebook.com/wonderfulpistachios and www.twitter.com/getcrackin.

Paramount Farms is the world's largest grower and processor of almonds and pistachios, with more than 80,000 acres of prime pistachio and almond orchards. Paramount Farms is part of the Paramount Agricultural Companies, a group of privately-owned, affiliated companies which comprise the largest farming operation of tree crops in the world.