Sunday, March 27, 2011

Chips & Salsa got you down? Tips for Making Healthy Choices @ Mexican Food Restaurants

Going out for your beloved Tex-Mex is NOT an excuse to abandon your healthy eating habits.  There are plenty of healthy options & substitutions!  Here are some tips for the next time you find yourself @ Chuy's, and at a loss for what you should order!  The little things can add up to go a LONG way in saving calories...and thus...your waistline ;)
  1. Drink an entire glass of water before you put ONE SINGLE THING into your mouth. Seriously.  Do it.
  2. If you MUST eat chips & salsa, limit yourself to ONE bowl of chips.  Once the first bowl has been replaced...CUT. YOUR. SELF. OFF. 
  3. No queso. 
  4. Steer clear of any & all things fried.  This includes "crispy" chicken salads/sandwiches, french fries, "breaded" meats & veggies, fried shrimp, and even tortilla chips & crispy tacos!
  5. Replace traditional starchy sides (mashed potatoes, french fries, mexican rice) with their greener & more nutritious counterparts.  Ask your waiter for baked or grilled mixed veggies, a baked sweet potato w/cinnamon on the side, black beans, avocado slices, a side salad (House or Garden...NOT CAESAR!!!)
  6. Replace any topping/sauce with salsa, this includes on salads, smothered chicken, enchiladas, , tacos, etc...
  7. Avoid anything topped w/cheese.  OR even better: replace the cheese w/salsa or pico!
  8. Order tacos on corn instead of flour tortillas.  If you don't like corn, ask for a side salad and dump the contents of your taco/burrito on top of your salad!  Top w/salsa or avocado slices.  YUM.
  9. Look for grilled chicken or grilled fish plates.  As a general rule, these will be your healthiest options!  
  10. Meals like cheese quesadillas & cheese enchiladas offer VERY little health benefit, while loading you up on the dreaded EMPTY CALORIES.  Don't give in!
  11. Speaking of empty calories...Remember:  Drinks contain calories too.  Sodas and Margaritas will up your calorie-count in a hurry.  Drink water!
See?  You can have your TexMex, and eat it too! ...well, you can eat SOME of it :)  

Please share any questions or other helpful suggestions that have worked for you!!
--Peace. Health. RoxyB!!

2 comments:

im sad i loooove cheese enchiladas from escalantes - but we dont go very often!!

Such awesome tips! I didn't know corn tortillas were better than flour - so good to know! :)

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