Make it Mexican!
Mexican food has grown in popularity across the U.S. in both the home and restaurants in recent years. When dining out in a Mexican Restaurant, it is possible to make healthy food choices. Mexican cuisine has some very nutritious and healthy main ingredients including corn, beans and chilies. These ingredients are high in fiber and low in fat. However, ingredients added to them are the determining factor between a dietary dream and a nutritional nightmare.
When dining out in a Mexican restaurant, watch for key words and phrases in the menu choices. If you are trying to eat healthier, or are dieting, you should watch for items that are baked or grilled, served with flour or corn tortilla's, are made with chicken or seafood and are served with vegetables, enchilada sauce, salsa or salsa Verde. Some great choices are fajitas and quesadillas. Choices to avoid are anything fried such as taco salad shells, chimichangas or tortilla chips. Also be careful of entrees that are smothered in cheese or mole sauce. You can ask that the chef go easy on these ingredients, or request they are served to you on the side. Also, you should ask if the refried beans were made with lard. If so, don't eat them. One more healthy option for you is to add extra vegetables to any meal you order.
Portion sizes in Mexican Restaurants can be up to four times the amount of food you need for a meal so either split a dinner with someone, or take half of it home for another meal. You'll split the fat and calories and have an already prepared meal at home, something we all welcome!
Your favorite grocery store most likely carries authentic Mexican ingredients so why not do some Mexican cooking at home? Mexican recipes are quick, easy and delicious and are also a low-cost, healthy alternative to eating out.
Following are some tips on how you can reduce the fat and calories in just about any Mexican Dish you enjoy, or wish to try. You can use these tips in any Mexican recipe, old or new. Due to the seasonings in Mexican foods, you most likely won't notice the changes too much. Some say that non-fat sour cream is intolerable and if you find you feel this way, use the light. It still reduces the amount of fat by half of the original sour cream. Most people who have never ventured into low-fat sour cream are amazed at how little they notice the reduction in fat.
