DINING OUT IN MEXICAN RESTAURANTS WHILE DIETING

You really can go to your favorite Mexican restaurants when your dieting. You just need to be well-informed so you can make wise menu choices. Here are some guidelines:

Choose items that include soft tortillas. Soft tortillas are baked while crunchy shells are fried.

Use the soft tortillas to eat your salsa instead of the crispy ones. Fold the salsa up in them and eat them like a taquito.

Black beans are always an excellent choice for a dieter. They are low-fat, and high in protein and dietary fiber. Avoid black beans and rice if you are a low-carb
dieter, and order the beans by themselves.

Skip the refried beans which are often prepared with lard and Mexican cheese blends or even bacon. These really increase the fat and calorie content
of what could have been a healthy side dish. Order pinto beans instead. You will get the flavor without the extra fat.

Dips are a big don't. Con queso dips and nacho cheese are mouth-watering toppers for chips. But they are both very rich and high in fat and calories.
Ditto for the sour cream. Guacamole is made from avocado which is a healthy fat, but it still counts in your fat grams intake. Keep on eye on portion sizes.
Stick with the salsa to be safe.

Switch to bean burritos instead of beef or cheese ones. You'll be saying goodbye to lots of extra calories. You'll also be getting more dietary fiber. To do even
better, ask for corn tortillas instead of flour ones.

Foods that should be on your forbidden list: nachos, chimichangas, chalupas, taquitos, chile relleno, (which are all deep-fried) and "double decker" burritos,
quesadillias, taco salad, chorizo sausage, and sopapillas.

Foods you can feel good about ordering include: chicken or vegetable fajitas, a sauteed or grilled chicken dish with peppers and onions (e.g., arroz con pollo) (hold the cheese), soft tacos with chicken or beef, tamales, chicken flautas, fish tacos and bean burritos. Also, low-fat cheese, brown rice, whole-wheat tortillas, or a side of marinated vegetables. Don't forget gazpacho, grilled seafood-based dishes (e.g., camarones de hacha), picante sauces and salsa, chile con carne (hold
the cheese) and pico de gallo.

Some Mexican restaurants will replace the side dishes that come with meals with salads if you request it. Top your salad with salsa for extra low-calorie goodness.

With all the lard and fats used in Mexican cooking, you may think you have to give it up entirely. But there are plenty of recipes that are already low fat. Others need only minor adjustments.

You can still make jalapeno corn cakes if you switch to non-fat milk and reduce or eliminate the oil.

You can have a Mexican omelet if you use non-fat sour cream and low-fat cheese. Cook with a non-stick cooking spray instead of lard.

Huevos Rancheros? No problem. Just warm the tortillas on the griddle without the oil.

Chicken Rojo - Reduce or eliminate the oil.

Papadzules - Ditto.

Pollo Pibil - Eliminate the butter.

Enselada Fresca - Use low-fat corn chips.

Quick Side Salad - Use low-fat tortilla chips.

Mole - Reduce or eliminate the oil. Reduce the amount of peanuts.






















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