Healthy Options At Mexican Restaurants

Your local Mexican restaurant menu may be filled with foods such as nachos, fried chimichangas and oversized burritos. You can usually navigate through these high-calorie, high-fat foods to find healthier options. By ordering grilled entrees and fresh vegetables, as well as asking your server for a few smart substitutions, you can enjoy a healthy and delicious meal at most Mexican restaurants.

Appetizers

Ask your server to remove the basket of fried chips and replace it with warm, fresh corn tortillas to enjoy with the salsa, which is low in calories and provides some vegetables. Nachos topped with cheese, sour cream, refried beans and fatty beef are an unhealthy appetizer option. Also skip over the quesadillas, which may contain over 1,000 calories each. Instead, look for ceviche -- a marinated fish appetizer -- shrimp cocktail or a cup of tortilla soup, which is broth-based and usually contains chicken breast and veggies.

Entrees

Chicken, vegetable or shrimp fajitas are healthy options for your main meal. Ask for corn tortillas, a whole grain, instead of refined flour versions. Also, request that the sour cream and cheese be left off the condiment tray. Do go for a moderate portion of the guacamole, which is high in fat, but mostly made up of the heart-healthy monounsaturated type of fat. Another healthier option is a chicken taco salad, but make sure you ask them to leave off the tortilla strips, fried shell, sour cream and dressing. Use salsa and guacamole as your dressing.

Considerations

The American Heart Association acknowledges that one drink a day for women, or two per day for men, may be part of a healthy lifestyle. Choosing 500-calorie margaritas for those drinks, however, is not the healthiest option. Many frozen concoctions also contain high amounts of sugar, too much of which may cause weight gain and elevated blood pressure. Stick to wine or beer to keep calories and sugar in check if you want to consume alcohol with your meal.

Other Swaps

Instead of white Spanish rice, ask for grilled vegetables or a green salad on the side. Borracho, or drunken, beans are a healthier option than refried beans, which may contain lard. Use salsa, pico de gallo, jalapenos and cilantro liberally for flavoring. If you must have enchiladas, look for versions with a red sauce and skip the cheese.