Finding Nutritious Choices on the Menu at Gloria's Latin Cuisine

Finding Nutritious Choices at Gloria's Latin Cuisine

Gloria's Latin Cuisine serves up authentic flavors from across Latin America. With a mix of Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Mexican influences, the menu features classics like tacos, enchiladas, roast pork, and fried yuca. While these dishes taste amazing, some can derail healthy eating goals. However, Gloria's Latin Cuisine offers nutritious options if you know what to order.

How Does Gloria’s Cuisine Impact Health?

Like many Latin American food spots, some Gloria’s signature items and cooking methods present diet challenges:

• Fried dishes - Items like yuca fries, maduros, and chicharrones pack big fat and calories.
• processed meats - Chorizo, ham, bacon, and sausage are high in sodium and nitrates.
• Cheese - Dishes like quesadillas and Cuban sandwiches with melty cheese increase saturated fats, the “bad” kind for heart health.
• Heavy sauces - Gloria’s flavorful agave chipotle, creamy cilantro, and garlic sauce toppings add excess oils, sugars and preservatives.
• Large portions - Heaping plates of rice, beans, and protein make it easy to overeat.

However, with smart substitutions and mix-and-match flexibility, you can enjoy Gloria’s Latin flavors while still meeting health goals.

Building a Better Plate at Gloria's

Gloria's offers customization on many dishes, allowing healthier versions of classics. Follow these easy swaps to cut excess carbs, fats, sugars and sodium:

Pick Grilled Proteins

Skip fried meats for cleaner options right on Gloria’s menu like:

• Grilled chicken
• open-fire roasted pork carnitas
• seared shrimp
• charbroiled steak

Ask for lime wedges and fresh salsa over heavy sauces for added moisture and spice.

Enjoy Vegetarian Dishes

Gloria’s offers meatless dishes focused on veggies, including:

• black bean burritos or bowls
• sautéed or grilled veggies
• cheese or potato empanadas
• veggie fajitas

Load up on the colorful peppers, onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes over rice and cheese.

Choose Smaller Sides

While classics like beans, rice and fried plantains taste amazing, limit portions. Swap regular sides for petit options or fresh pickles and pickled onions instead. Share larger plates of maduros or tostones to control indulgent extras.

Watch the Margaritas

Gloria’s tempting cocktails provide vacation vibes, but stick to one drink with sparkling water or agua fresca refills to avoid excess alcohol and sugars.

Gloria’s Healthy Eating Tips

In addition to mix-and-match menu options, certain orders make nutritious eating easier at Gloria’s Latin Cuisine. Follow these dietitian-approved strategies:

Build Your Own Tacos

Skip fatty meat fillings and fried shells for DIY tacos on soft corn tortillas with:

• grilled chicken or carnitas
• sautéed peppers and onions
• black beans or refried beans
• fresh pineapple pico
• cilantro
• a squeeze of lime

Create a Bowl

For a fresher, lighter meal, turn almost any Gloria’s entree into a bowl without the carbs and oil from a tortilla or bun shell. Top salad greens or cauliflower rice with:

• garlic lime chicken or sautéed shrimp
• roasted squash
• avocado
• black beans
• fresh salsa

Enjoy Seafood Specials

Gloria’s rotating seafood special menu offers lighter fish and shrimp dishes like:

• Veracruz-style snapper
• mojo-marinated tilapia
• fried whole red snapper

Choose grilled or baked preparation and swap out fried sides for fresh pineapple salsa or pickled veggies.

Customizing Your Gloria’s Order

Gloria’s Latin Cuisine makes it easy to have your heritage and health, too. Follow these customization tips for your favorite menu items:

Cuban Sandwich

Skip the fatty pork and melty cheese for a slimmed-down sandwich with:

• roasted chicken
• no bread pressing
• easy sauce and pickles only
• side salad instead of fries

Arroz con Pollo

Gloria’s signature chicken and yellow rice dish turns lighter by:

• using brown instead of white rice
• removing skin from chicken pieces
• skipping chorizo
• adding extra veggies like peppers and onions
• using hot sauce or salsa over creamy sauces
• choosing a side salad

Yuca F

FAQs

What are the healthiest protein options at Gloria's?

Some of the healthiest protein choices are grilled chicken, carnitas, seared shrimp, and charbroiled steak. Avoid anything deep fried and ask for lime wedges over heavy sauces.

What sides and extras should I limit?

Go easy on rice, beans, fried items like yuca fries or tostones, and cheese-loaded dishes. Prioritize fresh salsas, produce like pineapple pico and pickled veggies, and smaller petite side portions.

Are there good vegetarian choices?

Yes, vegetarian dishes like black bean burritos and bowls, vegetable empanadas and fajitas, and roasted veggies are all flavorful meatless options. Load up on grilled peppers, mushrooms, onions and tomatoes.

What is the healthiest dessert?

Fresh tropical fruit and daily fruit-focused specials like mango cheesecake make the lightest dessert options. For heavier choices, split a small piece of flan or tres leches cake to control sugar and portions.

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.