Where many Mexican foods have their health benefits, some dishes are not diet friendly. Whether you are watching your calories or just trying to eat healthier, there are some Mexican cuisine that can be indulged, and others you should either limit or avoid. If you designate a cheat day, the limited or avoidable that can be saved for such occasions if you love to consume your Mexican food. Today, we at Eddie’s Mexican Restaurant would like to discuss the healthier options and dishes you should save for the cheat day.
Should You Limit Tortilla Chips?
Being high in saturated fat and calories, tortilla chips are offered in most Mexican Restaurants and will provide unlimited refills for free. Save your appetite for the main meal and try and skip the snack. Most of us can’t resist the basket of delicious chips, so try to portion out 10-15 chips, which is 150 calories, and can easily fit into the meal. Healthy dips like guacamole and salsa are ideal. Salsa is a flavorful, low-calorie condiment and guacamole is full of healthy fats. To avoid temptation, consider portioning out by putting the chips and dips on your plate.
Healthiest Dinner Entrees
Entrée Salad: You can use lean proteins such as shrimp, chicken, or black beans to top salads that most Mexican restaurants offer. For some crunch, try crumbling up a few tortilla chips and avoid the fried shell. With healthy fats and extra flavor, add a spoonful of guacamole can enhance the salad.
Fajitas: You can portion into your choice of shell the sautéed veggies and meat served with Fajitas. By avoiding the sour cream and refried beans that come on the side, you keep this dish on the lighter side. They are high in calories and unhealthy fats. A spoonful of guacamole or salsa, lettuce, tomato, jalapenos, or a dash of hot sauce should be used instead.
Tacos: Tacos made with black beans, fish, or grilled chicken are the better choices. And if you have the option, select a corn tortilla is a lower calorie option than a flour tortilla.
Create Your Own Combos: Most restaurants offer this option. Healthy options like grilled meat (fish, shrimp, chicken), ceviche (raw seafood marinated in lemon or lime juice and other seasonings), brown rice, black beans, avocado salad, sautéed veggies, or tortilla soup can be mix matched.
What Kinds of Foods are Best to Limit or Avoid?
Refried Beans: Making them high-calorie and high-saturated fat (not the good fat), refried beans are cooked with butter, oil, or lard and sometimes topped with cheese, unlike black beans.
Queso & Sour Cream: These are both high in calories and saturated fat, skip these toppings or choosing only one of them to lighten it up.
Chimichanga: This is a deep-fried burrito, enough said.
Ground Beef / Pork: When compared to grilled chicken, fish, or shrimp, these meats tend to be higher in fat and calories.
Mexican Rice: This made by sautéing white rice in a skillet with oil and fat, traditionally,
Beverages: Choose classic over frozen if you’re into margaritas. Due to the added sugars, frozen varieties, or those made with mixes, can have up to 500 calories or more. For the tequila, liquor, and lime juice, classic, on the other hand, contains around 200 calories.
Go for a light Mexican beer, such as a Corona Light if you prefer beer. Compared to the 150-160 calories the “heavy” versions, this has only 99 calories. It is best to stay hydrated with water.
Desserts. When eating Mexican, it can be tough to find a healthy dessert. You can skip the dessert and enjoy some of the more indulgent entrees or beverages. You can share a dessert with the table to satisfy your sweet cravings, or simply wait for the “cheat” day to order dessert for yourself.
Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Las Vegas, Nevada (Just Minutes from Summerlin, North LV, Paradise, Lone Mountain & Henderson, NV)
For the best Mexican food in Las Vegas, try Eddie’s Mexican Restaurant for lunch or dinner.
