Enjoy Authentic Mexican Flavors While Keeping Calories In Check

Enjoy Authentic Mexican Flavors While Keeping Calories In Check

Mexican cuisine is beloved for its bright, robust flavors and satisfying comfort foods. However, many classic Mexican dishes like enchiladas, tacos and burritos can be high in calories, fat and sodium. This doesn't mean you have to avoid Mexican restaurants altogether if you're trying to watch your weight. With a few simple strategies, you can enjoy the authentic flavors of Mexico while keeping your meal relatively low in calories.

Focus on Fresh Ingredients

Fresh, raw ingredients form the foundation of many classic Mexican recipes. Fill up on fresh produce like tomatoes, onions, peppers, avocados and limes instead of heavy oils, cheeses and sour cream. Enjoy a veggie-packed fajita or opt for side salads like the light and refreshing ensalada mixta (mixed salad).

Choose Lean Proteins

While ground beef is a tasty taco filling, going with leaner proteins like chicken, shrimp, fish and pork can help trim calories. Grilled chicken is a lower fat option for dishes like tacos, fajitas and enchiladas. Seafood like grilled fish, shrimp and ceviche make lighter taco fillings. When opting for beef, ask for lean cuts like flank steak or sirloin.

Load Up On Beans

Beans are a staple of Mexican cooking and a great way to add protein and fiber without much fat. Black beans and pinto beans are commonly used in classics like burritos, nachos, tacos and chili. Going meatless with a bean burrito or tostadas topped with beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato and avocado is an easy way to lighten up your meal.

Choose Corn Over Flour Tortillas

Pass on the flour tortillas and opt for soft corn tortillas instead. Corn tortillas have fewer calories and contain more fiber. Two corn tortillas contain about 110 calories compared to 150 calories in just one 6-inch flour tortilla. You can even look for low-carb corn tortillas made with added fiber to further boost nutrition.

Watch the Extras

While extras like cheese, sour cream, guacamole and chips taste great with Mexican food, they can also pile on the calories and fat. Use a light hand when adding cheese or sour cream to tacos and enchiladas or skip them altogether. Swap out sour cream for salsa or sliced avocados on nachos and tacos. Go easy on the tortilla chips and opt for fresh veggies and salsa instead.

Choose Healthier Sides

Rice, beans and tortilla chips are classic Mexican sides, but choosing healthier options can trim calories. Enjoy brown rice instead of white rice. Opt for black beans or pinto beans over refried beans, which are higher in fat. Ask for a side salad with oil and cheese on the side. You can also request extra veggies like sauteed onions and peppers instead of rice or beans.

Watch Your Drink

It's easy to undo your healthy meal with a sugary margarita or creamy frozen drink. Alcoholic drinks like margaritas can add hundreds of calories from sugar. Instead, quench your thirst with agua fresca, a fresh fruit juice spritzer, like horchata or agua de jamaica. Ask for drinks made without added sugars. For an occasional treat, ask for skinny margaritas made with a natural sweetener like agave and splash of sparkling water.

Take Some Home

Mexican entrees like burritos, enchiladas and fajitas often come in huge portions. Don't feel obligated to clean your plate. Taking leftovers to enjoy later is a great way to get two lower calorie meals for the price of one. Just be mindful of high calorie add-ons when reheating your leftovers.

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Skip the heavy churros or fried ice cream for dessert. Fresh fruits make lighter options for satisfying your sweet tooth. Mangoes, pineapple and melon are refreshing choices. Flan is a classic Mexican custard with fewer calories than heavy cakes and cheesecakes. For chocolate lovers, a few squares of dark chocolate or a small serving of champurrado (Mexican hot chocolate) can hit the sweet spot after your meal.

1. Veggie Fajitas

Sizzling veggie fajitas are a fiesta of nutrition without the extra fat and calories from meat. Load up your plate with grilled peppers, onions and meaty mushrooms and wrap it all in warm corn tortillas. With fresh guacamole, salsa and a squeeze of lime, these satisfying veggie fajitas make a lighter option for only around 300 calories per serving.

2. Ensalada Mixta

This simple Mexican salad combines fresh greens, tomatoes, onions and avocado for a healthy dose of fiber and heart-healthy fats. With just a drizzle of lime vinaigrette, the ensalada mixta makes a flavorful, low calorie starter or side dish. Focus on the fresh ingredients and go easy on the salty toppings like cheese and fried tortilla strips to keep your salad around 150 calories.

3. Chicken Tacos

Chicken tacos can be a slimmed-down take on beef tacos, depending on your toppings. Stick to corn tortillas and load up on veggies like lettuce, tomato, onion and grilled peppers. Keep the cheese and sour cream to a minimum. Adding some beans or brown rice boosts fiber. With light toppings, two chicken tacos clock in around 300 calories.

4. Chicken Fajitas

Swap steak for grilled chicken in sizzling fajitas for a lighter take on this Mexican favorite. Combine chicken with sautéed onion, peppers and mushrooms. Wrap it all in corn tortillas with fresh tomato salsa and cilantro. Watch heavy toppings like cheese and sour cream. Season with fresh lime instead of salt for flavor. A couple fajitas with light toppings will run you about 350 calories.

5. Chicken Enchiladas

With around 300 calories per serving, chicken enchiladas can be a slimmed-down choice compared to beef and cheese-packed versions. Fill corn tortillas with shredded chicken, onions, peppers and reduced-fat cheese. Top with a tomato-based enchilada sauce instead of heavy cream or cheese sauce for added savings. Add some beans, brown rice and salad for a well-rounded lower calorie Mexican meal.

6. Bean Burrito

Beans make an excellent vegetarian filling for burritos that’s high in fiber, protein and low in fat. Fill a whole wheat tortilla with pinto or black beans, brown rice, sautéed veggies, avocado and salsa. With the right toppings, a veggie bean burrito can come in around 300 calories. Skipping the fatty sour cream and cheese is key.

7. Bean Tostadas

Crispy tostada shells piled high with beans, lettuce, tomato and light cheese make a fresh, low cal vegetarian meal. Using corn tostada shells instead of flour saves calories. Heap on the raw veggies and beans, but go easy on high-fat toppings. One tostada with beans, veggies and just 1 ounce of cheese comes in around 150 calories.

8. Horchata

Skip the margaritas and sip on refreshing horchata instead. This sweet Mexican drink is made from rice, cinnamon and vanilla without any added sugar. With around 100 calories per cup, it makes a much lighter option than 400+ calorie mixed drinks. Some restaurants offer horchata with a splash of lime or orange juice for added flavor.

9. Agua de Jamaica

Agua de jamaica, also called flor de jamaica, is a vibrant red hibiscus tea. With no added sugar and just 10 calories per cup, it makes a tangy, sweet agua fresca. Sipping this floral tea is a tasty way to hydrate without extra calories or artificial colors and flavors. Ask the waiter for it unsweetened or order it with a touch of stevia if you prefer it a little sweeter.

10. Champurrado

Warm up with a cup of champurrado, a chocolatey Mexican drink made with corn flour, cocoa and cinnamon. With about 130 calories per cup, this sweet, thick hot chocolate makes a healthier dessert than heavy flan or churros. Made with corn instead of milk, champurrado has a uniquely rich, chocolatey flavor reminiscent of chocolate pudding.

With a little mindfulness, you can feast on flavorful Mexican food while keeping your meal relatively low in calories. Focus on fresh ingredients like produce, beans and lean proteins. Skip salty chips and opt for lighter drinks without added sugars. If you stick to sensible portions and watch your add-ons, you can enjoy the robust flavors of Mexico without overdoing calories and fat.

¡Buen provecho!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.