5 Tips For Making Healthier Food Choices At A Mexican Restaurant

Mexico has given the world some of the most delicious recipes found anywhere on the globe. The U.S. is full of excellent Mexican food restaurants, but someone who is on a strict diet may find it difficult to select a healthy meal. Mexican food features flavorful ingredients, but many recipes include cheese, lard, and sour cream, which can be high in fat. The next time you visit a Mexican food restaurant while on a diet, use the following tips to make your meal healthier:

Opt For Soft Flour Tortillas

When you want to enjoy a plate of tacos, choose soft flour tortillas instead of a crunchy taco shell. On their own corn tortillas as not unhealthy, but the crunchy shells that are often used for hard tacos are fried in oil to give them their crispy texture, which can add a lot of calories and fat to your meal. Soft flour tortillas on the other hand are usually baked or cooked in a skillet without the use of oil.

Embrace Avocados And Salsa

Many regional Mexican dishes are topped with cheese and sour cream, which can be a disaster to your diet. Skipping these ingredients doesn't mean that you have to eat a bland meal—try substituting salsa and avocados instead. Salsa comes in a variety of heat levels, and adds a bold flavor to any meal. Avocados are creamy and delicious, and also contain healthy fats that are a good addition to any diet.

Know Which Dishes Are Fried

There are several popular Mexican recipes that have fantastic flavor, but they are deep fried, which is not what you want to eat while on a diet. When scanning the menu at a Mexican food restaurant, avoid dishes such as chimichangas, taquitos, chalupas, and chile relleno.

Choose The Healthier Side Dish

Refried beans are a staple at many Mexican food restaurants, but these types of beans are often made with cheese and lard or bacon fat. Instead of choosing refried beans, opt for Mexican black beans or pinto beans for an authentic flavor without all of the extra calories and fat.

Say No To High Fat Dips

Queso (cheese) dips are very popular in Mexican restaurants, but they are not the healthiest option. Pass over these high calorie dips in favor of eating your chips with fresh salsa. While it may be hard, try to indulge in just a few fried corn tortilla chips, and save your appetite for your healthy entree.

If you're ready to try these tips, visit a local restaurant like El Cortez Restaurant.


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