Mexican cuisine is known for its intense, spicy flavors and the lively style of its dishes; nowadays it can be enjoyed almost everywhere in restaurants and catering chains. If you are on a diet or are simply trying to follow a healthy diet, know that Mexican dishes can also become part of your habits. Learn which dishes are best suited to a healthy lifestyle.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: At the Start of the Meal
Step 1. Do not order the corn chips with the sauce or eat them in smaller quantities
This dish is normally served as a free snack in Mexican restaurants. However, it quickly increases the calorie count. A classic bowl of corn triangles equals about four servings of tortilla chips, which equals 700 calories. Shared between two people, it means that the snack provides 350 calories for each. Considering the fact that the bowl is refilled about a couple of times, you can realize how this snack equates to the entire caloric requirement of a day. You should ask the waiter not to serve the corn chips and salsa when you eat at the restaurant.
- If you are having dinner with friends, especially if it is a large group, you certainly cannot ask the waiter not to bring the chips, because you could annoy the other diners. In this case, try to limit the amount of snacks you consume. 20 corn triangles contain around 300 calories and are only a small part of your meal, not counting the appetizer, drinks and main course. Try to control yourself with these appetizers.
- You can also make a deal with your guests and ask that the bowl of chips not be refilled. By sharing a portion among many diners, you probably can't overdo it.
Step 2. Make wise choices about your appetizer
This dish is usually served as something to nibble on while waiting for the main dish. If you're looking to eat healthily, it's not a bad idea to give up on this course entirely. However, if you really want an appetizer, try to choose wisely.
- Many Mexican restaurants offer ceviche as an appetizer. It is a fish dish consisting of fresh fruit, citrus juice and chilli. Generally, it's not very caloric, so it might be a good option if you love fish.
- In addition, several fresh salads are often available. Those of nopal, for example, are prepared with avocado, Mexican cactus and have a fresh, crunchy and slightly tart flavor. It could be the best choice, as an appetizer, compared to the other proposals on the menu.
Step 3. Order the guacamole as an appetizer
This sauce is generally considered unhealthy, due to its high fat content; however, avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats, the nutrients needed in a balanced diet, for heart health and for controlling cholesterol.
- Be careful not to overdo the guacamole, as it is very caloric. You should share it with some friends.
- Also ask the waiter how it is prepared. Many Mexican restaurants, especially those that are part of the chains, use sour cream to increase the volume of the sauce, without investing in fresh avocados. If it is made with this ingredient, you should not order it, as it is most likely high in calories and high in saturated fat.
Step 4. Order soup before your meal
Most Mexican restaurants offer some type of soup on their menu. By ordering it instead of the usual appetizer, you can enjoy a less caloric dish.
- Since this dish is a "liquid weight", it offers the body a sense of satiety. If you consume a bowl of soup before your main course, you reduce the likelihood of bingeing during the rest of the evening.
- Choose a healthy soup that contains lots of veggies and lean meats like chicken.
- The downside of these dishes is that they are often rich in sodium. If you have decided to have a soup at the beginning of dinner, minimize the amount of salt and hot sauces you add to the main dish, as both contain a lot of sodium.
Part 2 of 3: Ordering the Main Course
Step 1. Choose corn tortillas
If you order a dish like tacos or quesadillas, the waiter will most likely ask you if you prefer wheat or corn tortillas. Choose the latter, because they are less caloric and more healthy. They are in fact prepared with wholemeal cereal and contain a greater quantity of fibers than those of wheat flour.
- Those who are calorie conscious should prefer corn tortillas, as they are generally much less caloric. Two wheat flour tortillas provide around 300 calories, while two corn tortillas add up to 200.
- Wheat is also higher in fat, saturated fat, sugar and sodium.
- However, both versions contain a lot of carbohydrates, so if you are following a low-carb diet, you should avoid ordering them.
Step 2. Choose your side dishes and sauces carefully
Mexican dishes are typically presented with a range of sauces and creams, as well as a side dish paired with the main course. When choosing both sauces and side dishes, opt for healthier ones.
- If your dish has sour cream on the side or as an included ingredient, such as sour cream burritos, ask the waiter if you can substitute it with a spicy tomato sauce. Typically, Mexican salsa is made with raw vegetables and seasonings; it is therefore less caloric and fat.
- Pico de gallo is a salad used as a garnish and is made from diced tomatoes, onion, coriander and jalapeño pepper. You can order it instead of sour cream or other thick, calorie-dense sauces to go with your burrito or taco.
- When you have to choose the side dish, legumes and rice are the best options; however, avoid refried beans, as they are high in calories and very fat. Ask the waiter to bring you some black beans and, if possible, brown or Mexican rice, as both have greater nutritional benefits than polished rice.
- You can also avoid taking beans and rice as a side dish. Many Mexican restaurants cook grilled vegetables, which is probably the healthiest option when dining here.
Step 3. Don't get fried
Dishes such as chile relleno, chimichangas, gorditas and taquitos are usually fried before being served. These are foods that increase the intake of calories and fat. If you are looking to eat healthy in restaurants as well, you should avoid them.
Step 4. Order a healthy main course
When it comes to choosing your main course, you need to know what the healthiest options are. Mexican food can be very healthy if you opt for the right foods.
- It is a good idea to prefer grilled dishes to fried ones. Enchiladas are typically cooked with grilled meat, such as fajitas. The latter also include a lot of grilled vegetables and you can always ask for more.
- Whenever possible, ask the waiter for the lowest calorie ingredients to add to the course. Order some low-fat cheese or low-calorie sour cream, for example. If you want to supplement these ingredients, you can increase the doses of vegetables or avocados.
- If you have decided to take a burrito, ask for the meat to be cooked on the grill. Also, when choosing the type of meat, opt for chicken or fish instead of beef or steak, because the latter are higher in calories, saturated fat and sodium.
Part 3 of 3: Choose Your Drinks Wisely
Step 1. Limit yourself to water and coffee
When ordering drinks, you should only choose water and black coffee, as they do not provide calories. Furthermore, the water drunk before a meal and between bites allows you to feel full; as a result, you are prone to eat less during the evening.
Step 2. Choose low-strength spirits
If you want to join a drinking round with friends, choose your drink carefully. Order only the lightest one that is low in sugar and calories.
- This is the only case in which smooth cicchetti are recommended. When you consume mixed cocktails, you consume a lot of sugar and end up incorporating other calories, in addition to those of the food.
- Take a light beer instead of your regular one. Light ones typically have 100 calories, while regular ones have around 150.
- Margarita can be a bad idea if you're trying to eat healthily. It is a very high calorie cocktail, with lots of sugar and alcohol. However, if you want to join in the fun when your friends order this drink, ask for yours to be "on the rocks". Blended margaritas are more caloric; also consider sharing the drink with a friend.
Step 3. Choose diet sodas or sugar-free iced tea, but in moderation
If you want to cut calories but treat yourself to a treat, you can opt for a "diet" drink. These, along with sugar-free iced tea, contain no calories and refresh you during the meal.
- Diet sodas enjoy a bad reputation due to the chemicals they contain. However, if you drink them in moderation and only on special occasions, they are unlikely to hurt you and have the advantage of not providing calories or sugars, like normal ones. If you want to indulge yourself when dining at a restaurant, a diet soda is a better choice than the regular version or an alcoholic drink.
- If you don't like these drinks, order sugar-free iced tea. It comes in many different flavors and can satisfy you as much as an unhealthy soft drink or alcohol.
