“Yumm…. Mexican food. I love to eat the cheesy Mexican food but I generally avoid eating it as it will make me fat” said Alifiya who is a budding architect. Mexican food offers a number of choices that are fried or covered in cheese. Eating such food can wreak your healthy eating goal. It has been seen that Mexican cuisine is generally labeled high calorie or unhealthy food to eat.
The truth is that all food styles and origins have decadent and healthy choices alike. The food that you order is sometimes driven by your taste buds while sometimes it is the waist line that makes the decision. Either way, it is still possible to order a healthy and tasty meal from any Mexican restaurant. While dining out in a Mexican restaurant you can opt for plenty of vegetables and opt for salsa to add flavor. You can choose for Veracruz or tomato based sauce instead of creamy or cheesy sauces.
Watching the portion size and cooking techniques will help you choose a healthier Mexican meal.
Remembering a few simple tips will help you keep your calories and fat under control and you can still enjoy the authentic Mexican food without any guilt.
Choices to savor
- Grilled fish
- Plenty of salsa and salad
- Soft tacos and soft tortillas because they are baked and not fried
- Chicken fajitas
- Black beans or pinto beans
- Pasole, a healthy stew
Choices to watch
- Enchiladas because they are often loaded with cheese.
- Crunchy tortillas or taco shells because they are deep fried.
- Cheesy and creamy dips like guacamole and sour cream.
- Chalupas, flautas, because they are fried to make it crisp.
Watch for these words:
- Rellenos (stuffed, usually with cheese)
- Crispy( Fried)
- Chorizo (Mexican sausage)
- Con Queso ( with cheese)
Health tip:
Almost every Mexican dish will be accompanied by a plateful of tortillas. Ask your waiter not to bring these to the table.
Shamika Kulkarni suggests, “Mexican options are basically tortillas in which baked corn tortillas should be preferred. Refried beans should be avoided; instead you can choose baked beans. You can choose from the healthy option of Mexican salsa, spinach rice, add grilled shrimps, fish or chicken that are high on nutrition but comparatively low in calories.”
Most Mexican restaurants serve huge portions of each dish, if you are not careful, you can easily consume a full days calorie in a single meal. It is suggested that you split an entrée or take some home to eat the nest day.
You can add a healthy side dish such as a tropical food salad with guava, pineapple, mangoes, and banana all of which are fiber rich or an ethnic Mexican salad that is low in fat and sugar. Ask for the salad dressing to be served on the side so that you can control your calorie intake.
To enjoy a Mexican food without guilt it is suggested that you question your server about the ingredients or cooking methods. Order dishes that are steamed grilled or roasted as low fat healthy choices.
With so much to be careful about what you should avoid eating, there is something that you can eat to your heart’s content. Eat all the salsa you want, as it low calorie, fat free and a good source of lycopene.
If you are a foodie by nature, you can still enjoy the delicious, succulent Mexican cuisine by making simple changes in your meal.
Bon Appetite!
