How to Eat Healthy at a Mexican Restaurant
To eat well at Mexican restaurants, you need to stop thinking about what you shouldn’t eat and start thinking about what you should. Focus on the good, the crunchy, and the flavorful.
Pico de Gallo
When you sit down, ask for a side of fresh pico de gallo instead of salsa that looks old. This will make the chips taste better and give you some vitamins right away.
Starter Salads
You might want to skip the chips and start with a salad that will fill you up. A fresh lettuce salad is often on the menu at Mexican restaurants.
Céviche
If you want protein right away, you could start with some ceviche, which is raw fish that has been marinated and will start to fill you up right away.
Beans (black)
Instead of salsa, ask for a plate of black beans to go with it. These little nuggets are high in protein and fiber and low in fat.
Whole Grains, Not Flour
If you have the choice, choose corn tortillas over flour tortillas. Instead of refined flour, corn has a grain that is full of fiber.
Serve fresh fajitas, not enchiladas, with sauce
If you choose fajitas, you can decide how much of each item goes on each corn tortilla. If you choose vegetable fajitas, you can load up the tortillas and feel good about what you’re eating. Keep the cheese and queso to a minimum, and use salsa or guacamole as a topping instead.
Fish on the grill
If you want meat, choose the gills. Choose the grilled fish dish or grilled fish tacos to get your daily dose of omega-3s, which are good for your joints.
Tacos from the street
Most street tacos are made with small corn tortillas, grilled meat, and lots of fresh vegetables. They have a nice, clean taste.
Don’t Get Fat at the Bar
When you’re at the bar at your favorite Mexican restaurant, choose the skinny margarita or a light Mexican beer.
Embrace Your Choices
When you focus on fresh, light ingredients and how to eat healthy at a Mexican restaurant, you can leave your favorite place feeling light and happy instead of feeling like you need to be rolled back to your car.
Stay away from the oozy cheese that might make your coworkers want to join you. You always have options, and you can still enjoy the company of your friends and tasty foods that you might not have picked if you hadn’t been trying to eat healthy in the first place.
Don’t have to automatically call the day you go to a Mexican restaurant a cheat day.
You can stick to your diet even if a basket of fried chips and a bowl of rich queso are in front of you.