Healthy Mexican Food?

We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are. ~Adelle Davis

Here in Texas we like our Mexican food!  Put up a Mexican Food Restaurant on any corner and more likely that not, it will survive.  Here in lies the problem:

§         Mexican food is high in calories, sodium and fat.

§         Usually contains too many carbohydrate sources in one meal and not enough green leafy vegetables.

So what’s a Mexican food lover suppose to do?

Follow this guide the next time you go out to your favorite spot this side of the border!

1. Just say “NO” to the complimentary chips and salsa!  Chips are deep fried and contain about 2 grams of fat PER CHIP.
2. Stick with Fajitas or fresh seafood selections like Ceviche’.  When ordering fajitas, ask for “no oil on the pan”.  Oil is ladled on the hot cast iron plate to cook the onions, usually the meat is precooked and has already had it’s fair share of oil on the grill.
3. Ask for black beans even if you don’t see it on the menu.  Stay away from refried beans….just say the name and you can see why. Frijoles can sometimes be an okay choice but keep in mind they are usually prepared with a fatty, cured meat.
4. Order corn tortillas and stay away from the flour! Flour tortillas can contain over 200 calories per tortilla,  and lets be honest, who eats just one?!
5. When it comes to condiments, stick with red salsa, no sour cream, and avocado slices instead of guacamole.
6. I always ask for a side of steamed veggies.  At Gringo’s you can order veggie fajitas, so I ask for the veggie blend steamed!
7. Last but not least…..the Margarita!  I enjoy a margarita when I go out but hate the calories the typical house drink contains.  Thanks to Bethenny Frankel, most establishments are creating their own version of “Skinny Girl” Margarita.  My complaint is the mix contains Splenda.  What I ask for is:

§          Half sweet and sour mix and the rest club soda, on the rocks, NO Salt!

Sometimes you just want good Mexican food!  Hopefully this guide will allow you to enjoy without the guilt while still seeing improvements in your health and a smaller waist line!

Yours in enjoying a health lifestyle,