Tips on Making Healthier Mexican Style Meals

by Dennis K
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If you are a Mexican food lover, you need to keep reading to find the best tips on making healthier Mexican style meals. There are some Mexican dishes that really aren’t that great for your health. However, you can still keep up with your love for these meals and make it healthy for you at the same time. If you are ready to do this and ready to share some healthy ideas with others, continue on down for the best tips for these types of meals.

Picking Out the Produce

preview-full-how-to-eat-healthy-at-a-mexican-restaurant-recipes-collage_ybaqsnJust about every Mexican style meal you make is going to need produce, especially if you are trying to make it healthier. If you want to kick out a party with Mexican style dishes, you will surely need some produce. Some of the best Mexican based dishes are filled with vegetables and fruits. You should try to go for the organic ones but you must at least make sure they are fresh. You should have some mangoes, avocados, peppers and tomatoes to start with. If you have never tried out jicama, you need to do that. It is a very sweet vegetable and is full of fiber, potassium and Vitamin C. You can add it into salsas, salads and other dishes. When making salsa, a great choice is Jimenez. When you choose Mexican based salsas, you will get more lycopenes and anti-oxidants which are both great for your diet. It is also great to get a moderate portion of guacamole for your meals too. You may also be using produce in the desserts you make as well.

Keep an Eye on Fat

soft tacos tortillaWhen making Mexican based dishes, you need to keep an eye on the fat. You shouldn’t use too much fried tortillas, cheese or sour cream. If you have some chips, limit them. Mexican style meals are tasty and you can make them healthy. As long as you are choosing foods that are better for you such as green peppers, onions, cilantro, tomatoes, beans, corn, chicken, avocado and lemon, you will get more nutrients into your meal. Add in any of these to burritos, fajitas and other meals instead of using as much cheese, sour cream and other meats. When choosing a salsa, the least fat-based is salsa verde. Additionally, when cooking up the Mexican style meals broil, bake, stir-fry or grill them.

Modifying Recipes

There are going to be some Mexican style meals that you love that are not the healthiest for you. There are ways that you can modify the recipes. Maybe you have gone to a restaurant and found a meal you want but it has an unhealthy ingredient. Don’t be scared to ask for a modification. If the meal is served with sour cream, ask to have it substituted for salsa verde instead. If the food is served in a fried taco shell, ask for it to come in a bowl instead. If you are making your own tortillas at home don’t use lard, choose canola oil instead.

Adding in the Spice

Mexican style dishes are known for their spice. If you want to add in this flavoring but need to avoid the fat, sodium and calories there is an easy way to do that. You can add in a splash of lime, a twist of cilantro or add in some chili peppers to the meal. Cilantro is almost always excellent in a Mexican style dish.

Drinking

There are some alcoholic Mexican style beverages that you enjoy. You can have these as long as you keep do so in moderation. Choose a margarita on the rocks so you get less calories.

Now you know how to make healthier Mexican style dishes. If you have other people in your family or friends who love these styled dishes, share these tips with them as well.

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