One of my favourite restaurants does the most amazing nacho platter, and while I can recreate it easily at home, there’s still something special about going out and ordering it with my friends. It’s a massive pile of tortilla chips, steak, bacon, cheese, pico de gallo, jalapenos, guacamole, and barbecue sauce, and I used to eat them all the time in university. Obviously I can’t really do that anymore, but I still love that Mexican restaurant a lot. Since I’ve been trying to eat healthier this year, I’ve made an effort to pick out better choices for most cuisines that I enjoy, and now it’s time to list some of my top picks for Mexican food.
Fajitas are Friends
Fajitas are probably one of the healthiest choices when you’re going out for Mexican food. Made with the protein of your choice grilled to perfection, fajitas are basically just peppers, onions, and shrimp, beef, or chicken. Eat these with the soft tortillas that accompany the dish, or ask to skip the tortillas and eat the meat and vegetables alone.
Be Smart about your Burrito
Burritos can be alright if you’re craving Mexican food, but you have to be careful with what you stuff them with. Firstly, starting with a smaller burrito size is usually smart, and a wholewheat option is always best. Skip the rice and load your burrito up with veggies. Sour cream should almost always be avoided, and depending on your own diet, a light sprinkling of cheese can be okay. Guacamole is high in calories but is very nutritious, so if there’s room in your diet for guac you should definitely include it. If you’re craving a burrito but want to ditch the tortilla altogether, ask if you can get a burrito bowl instead of a traditional burrito.
Skip the Chips
Nachos are amazing, I just admitted to having an obsession with them earlier! But besides being quite caloric, tortilla chips are often high in sodium and are usually fried. It’s really hard to limit yourself to just a couple of tortilla chips once you get started, so it’s best to just skip them altogether. You can always save the salsa to spoon over your entree, or ask for a healthier appetizer instead. Ceviche, a light soup, or roasted corn are great alternatives and are much better for you.
