Mexican food often features lard-laced beans, fatty meats and crispy fried tortillas, all foods high in fat and calories. You may not think of Mexican food as part of a low-fat diet, but you can still enjoy a visit to your favorite Mexican restaurant if you study the menu carefully and make wise choices. If the menu doesn't offer enough information about the food, ask your waiter to explain ingredients and cooking styles.
Step 1
Send the chips away. Many Mexican restaurants start every meal with a basket of fried tortilla chips on the table. Send these tempting, fatty appetizers away.
Step 2
Order grilled dishes instead of fried. Grilled fajitas, grilled lean steak and grilled shrimp or chicken are good choices. The American Heart Association suggests you order tomato-based sauces such as Veracruz sauce or salsa instead of cheese-based sauces or sour cream.
Step 3
Ask for steamed corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas. Corn tortillas contain less fat and are often smaller than flour tortillas.
Step 4
Ask your server to bring you a to-go box with your order. Set aside part of your food for another meal. You'll eat less if the food isn't right in front of you.
Step 5
Drink sangria instead of a margarita if you want something alcoholic with your meal. An 8-oz. margarita has 453 calories, while 8 oz. of sangria adds just 230 calories, according to RecipeCircus.com. Go easy on the alcohol, though. Drinking can lower your willpower and make it easier to say yes to a serving of cheese dip or a handful of fried chips.
Tips and Warnings
- Make Mexican food at home to control the fat content further. Eliminate fat from homemade refried beans, use low-fat cheese in your enchiladas and cut the salt content of all recipes.
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