Tips For Eating Healthy at Mexican Food Restaurants

Hello weekend, I am so happy to see you again!

If you guys are anything like me, there’s a 95% chance your weekend will consist of Margaritas & Mexican food.

Since Mexican food is probably one of the most fattening/ high caloric foods you can have, (I’m talking to you chips & queso!!) I have a few tips to allow you to enjoy eating out without packing on the pounds.

1) DO NOT GET A FROZEN MARGARITA!! Try on-the-rock instead.

The frozen margaritas are filled with sugar and are always pre-made in the frozen margarita machine. They can range from 500 – 1000 calories per margarita. Sorry to call out Chuy’s…. but their house margaritas are 500 (kcal) each. So after two margs, you have had half your caloric intake for the day. It’s NOT worth it.

Instead, opt for one on the rocks. These are made right there in front of you and haven’t been spinning in sugar for the past 4 hours. Also, be sure to get it with out salt on the rim.

Or even better get the skinny margarita. I know, I know, I can hear it now. “The only reason it’s skinny is because it’s half the margarita”. While this is the case for some places, for most, it means they are using a better tequila (which has less calories), agave instead of simple syrup, and fresh lime juice. 

2) Substitute the chips

Hear me out! I have a solution! Instead of eating your salsa, guac, and queso with chips, ask your waiter if you could have slices of fresh vegetables (ex: bell peppers) instead of the chips. If they look confused, simply tell them your diet doesn’t allow you to have bread, Doctor’s orders. Okayyyy it may not be true, but hey, they don’t need to know that, and your body will thank you for it later.

I know for a fact El Tiempo will do this, but if you’re going somewhere that you don’t think will, do what I do and bring your own.

I have no shame in bringing my little plastic baggy and dipping my brought from home bell peppers into that creamy guac.

3) CEVICHE CEVIVHE CIVICHE 

I swear cevichi is like the most refreshing thing in the world. It’s super light, low calorie and filled with protein. (If you go to Cyclone Anaya’s, they serve it with the most AMAZING plantain chips!!).

4) Chicken Fajitas, always a staple.

If fish isn’t really your thing, chicken fajitas are always the next option. I say chicken & not beef fajitas because beef is really hard for your body to digest, and chicken is also a leaner choice of protein. I usually get split the fajitas with Colton, and I opt out on tortillas (but if I really want I taco I always get corn tortillas) & eat my chicken with guac,  pico de gallo and all those yummy fajita onions.

5) Skip the rice and refried beans.

Sorry, I really don’t know how to sugar coat this one. But if this is a staple for you, get the black beans instead. Black beans are high in both protein and fiber.

Have a safe, healthy, and happy weekend!!

xo,

Lauren