That diet you vowed to follow in January may be long forgotten by now. If not, good for you! For others, keeping things like sugar in moderation is a must if eating out with diabetes or similar conditions. For those of you wanting to eat out lighter fare so you can feel healthier, we offer this guide on how to eat healthy at a Mexican restaurant.
Most people don’t ordinarily think of Mexican as healthy because, sure, those foods fried or covered in cheese or creamy sauces taste sinfully good. But think about all of the fresh vegetables and fruit. When a group of friends tries to figure out where they can meet up for dinner that will work for the vegetarian in the bunch, Mexican restaurants offer some of the more appealing options for everyone. You can eat healthy without feeling like you’re eating cardboard becauseMexican food is packed with flavor! Amigos even offers up adedicated Vegetarian menuthat lets you create your own veggie plate!
Considering How to Eat Healthy At a Mexican Restaurant
Your nutritionist would be proud of you for ordering the Veggie Fajitas with sautéed zucchini, tomatoes, bell peppers, and mushroom. We serve it with three flour tortillas, rice, refried beans, and salad with lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, and tomatoes.
Theexperts saythe healthiest Mexican menu options include grilled chicken dishes, which we offer in our tacos, burritos, enchiladas, grilled chimi, la tapatia, Pollo Jalisco, and more. The shredded chicken in our Flautas comes sautéed with bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions. TheCarne Asadais another excellent entrée choice including grilled meats.
Other healthier options at a Mexican restaurant could include Tamales, Gazpacho ( a tomato-based soup traditionally served cold), grilled seafood-based dishes, salsa and Picante sauce, soft tacos with chicken or beef, fish tacos, or chile con carne (minus cheese and chips).
Assembling foods like a chicken fajita yourself gives yougreater control of the portionsand the ability to add more veggies.
Black beans work great for dieters, low in fat, high in protein, and provide plenty of fiber. Pinto beans and grilled vegetables also work great as a substitute for refried beans or white rice. Corn tortillas contain fewer carbs and calories than wheat tortillas. You’ll want to enjoy other foods in moderation, including cheese, chips, sour cream, and nachos. Guacamoleadds a similar creaminess to cheese and sour cream but is better for you. Pico de gallo may be available as a substitute for sour cream or melted cheese. Save the deep-fried options for special occasions.
Some other suggestions for what to eat in a Mexican restaurant when trying to lose weight:
- If craving an appetizer, make sure it’s something everyone at the table will share.
- Load up onveggies, especially extra lettuce.
- Browse the menu on our website before arriving. It’s easier to make healthy choices when you aren’t hungry or distracted by conversations.
- You can also control portion sizes and take any part of your meal that you don’t finish to save for leftovers. Remember that beer carbs vary from brand to brand, so choose wisely. Ask your bartender to substitute a piece of fruit in place of sugarand choose tequila on the rocks if you want to avoid the sweets. Or remember that a lighter meal leaves room for margaritas!
- Save the dessert as a treat to reward yourself for meeting your goals.
The key to how to eat healthy at a Mexican restaurant involves following smart guidelines and indulging in moderation. Mexican restaurants are great places to eat healthily!
FAQs
We serve it with three flour tortillas, rice, refried beans, and salad with lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, and tomatoes. The experts say the healthiest Mexican menu options include grilled chicken dishes, which we offer in our tacos, burritos, enchiladas, grilled chimi, la tapatia, Pollo Jalisco, and more.
What can I eat at a Mexican restaurant if I'm on a diet? ›
In general, more nutritious options include fajitas, bean burritos, grilled chicken dishes, and soft tacos. Here are some of the most nutritious choices to look for on the menu.
What Mexican food has the lowest calories? ›
Choose grilled foods instead of fried foods (like chimichangas or taquitos). Aim for items or entrées that incorporate rice, black beans or seasonal veggies while picking out a lean protein that is either grilled or baked like chicken or steak is a great low calorie option.
Are fajitas at Mexican restaurants healthy? ›
Try these healthier entrees:
Fajitas: Fajitas come with sautéed veggies and meat which you can portion into your choice of shell. Keep this dish on the lighter side by avoiding the sour cream and refried beans that come on the side. They are high in calories and unhealthy fats.
What is the unhealthiest Mexican food? ›
Chimichangas are high in calories, saturated fat and trans fats. According to the American Heart Association, eating a diet high in saturated fat puts us at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. These risk factors go up when we eat fried food three or more times per week.
Are fajitas high in calories? ›
Even a seemingly healthful order of grilled chicken fajitas with the standard accompaniments can top 1,500 calories, 150 grams of carbs and 1,600 mg sodium.
What is the most important food in the Mexican diet? ›
Corn is the main base of Mexican cuisine. Corn, chili, and beans were the “holy trinity” of food for Mesoamerican civilizations. In fact, corn is the source of great Mexican dishes such as 'enchiladas', 'huaraches', 'machetes', 'tlacoyos', 'sopes', 'molotes' and 'quesadillas'.
How do you eat anti inflammatory at a Mexican restaurant? ›
A taco salad with leafy greens, black beans, guacamole, salsa, and a lean protein (e.g. grilled chicken breast) A fajita with grilled, lean chicken or seafood and vegetables. Top it with lettuce and tomatoes.
How many calories are in chips and salsa at a Mexican restaurant? ›
Your Chips + Salsa
| Macronutrient | Amount Per Serving / % Daily Value |
|---|
| Calories | 720 cal / 36% Daily Value |
| Carbohydrates | 91 grams / 33% Daily Value |
| Cholesterol | 0 milligrams / 0% Daily Value |
| Dietary Fiber | 9 grams / 32% Daily Value |
5 more rowsBurritos are often packed with plant foods like peppers, onions, beans, and corn, that are high in fiber. Fiber is important for gut health, blood sugar control, heart health, and more, per a 2020 study in Nutrients. Unfortunately, many Americans don't meet daily fiber recommendations.
7 Light Mexican Dishes for Summer
- Baja Fish Tacos. Baja Fish Taco is a colorful and flavorful Mexican dish perfect for summer. ...
- Black Bean Corn Salad. ...
- Mexican Street Corn. ...
- Fresas con Crema. ...
- Pico de Gallo Fruit Salad.
Order the grilled chicken, lean steak, or grilled fish on a baked corn tortilla. Those have 70% more fiber and less than half the fat of their white flour counterparts. Skip the chorizo, fried fish, and carnitas (fried pork or beef), which are higher in unhealthy saturated fat.
Are tacos healthy for weight loss? ›
Final Thoughts. It's easy to make a healthy meal with tacos! Tacos are an overall balanced dish, pairing carbs with protein and vegetables. To make the healthiest tacos, choose corn tortillas, a high-protein filling, and top with plenty of vegetables.
Which meat is better for fajitas? ›
What Is the Best Cut of Beef to Use for Steak Fajitas? You can use either skirt steak or flank steak for fajitas. Although the two cuts come from different parts of the cow, both skirt and flank steak soak up marinades well, cook quickly, and, when sliced thinly against the grain, taste tender and flavorful.
What is the most heart-healthy Mexican food? ›
Grab a few corn tortillas and fill them with grilled spicy shrimp or fish, such as salmon, which is packed with protein heart-healthy omega-3 oils, for seafood tacos. Bank on beans. Mexican cuisine features a vast array of beans, including black beans, pinto beans, black eyed beans, lentils, and chickpeas.
What Mexican food is good for your stomach? ›
Aids Healthy Digestion
A lot of Mexican dishes contain corn and beans. They are both rich in soluble fiber that keeps you feeling full and helps food to move through your digestive tract more quickly for healthy elimination. Apart from that, it also helps lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels.
What's the healthiest thing to get at a restaurant? ›
Thumbs Up: Grilled chicken, chicken fajita pitas, turkey sandwiches, baked chips, or frozen yogurt. Thumbs Down: Jumbo burgers, fried fish sandwiches, fried chicken, tacos, French fries, potato chips, milk shakes, cheese, mayonnaise, bacon.
How do Mexicans eat healthy? ›
Beans: Mexican food makes heavy use of beans, which may lower the risk of heart disease (4). Beans are also rich in protein and iron, making them an all-around healthy choice. Vegetables add flavor: Mexican food is rich in vegetables, particularly squash, tomato, chile peppers, and avocado.
