Enjoy the guacamole, rich in healthy fats, only in very small portions. Spray It Or Swallow It. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. Fast food logos, tattoos inside the lip and a big chunk of bone marrow were just a few things we found. But have you ever wondered how healthy Mexican food is for you? Leave a comment below. The food police -- otherwise knows as The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) -- are at it again. Others send you to their web site. Unfortunately, the average Mexican food joint in the U.S. cannot boast about the health benefits of its meals. It has become such a part of the traditional American diet — regardless of heritage — that new Mexican-inspired dishes are even popping up at some of the most ordinary U.S. chain restaurants — like Applebee's, Chili's and IHOP — just to satisfy the demand. But just because it is labeled vegetarian or grilled does not necessarily mean it is healthy. Next. These foods are loaded with nutritional goodness from the high fiber content to the disease-fighting vitamins, minerals. For more information about diet and heart disease, call Advanced Heart & Vascular Institute at 602-507-6002. Many restaurants have this information compiled and will provide it upon request. However, eating there every day might be a problem. Eating a healthy Mexican diet – or any diet, for that matter – is all about limiting fats, sodium, and cholesterol. Raise a Glass to These Black-Owned Alcohol Brands Serving Quality Sips, I Embarked on a Multi-Year Exploration Across the World to Honor My Late Mother, Fit Friday: Kick the Weekend Off With a Free 'Full Body Pump' That Anyone Can Do. My advice is to check it out before you go and make a plan -- select the items that are the most nutritious that also fit into your eating plan. Food Network experts cover the health benefits of Mexican foods (like tomatillos and avocados), plus what to avoid (like cheeses and sour cream). Meat is used in small portions. Find out how "real" Mexican food measures up, and how to make the Mexican meals you love healthier... AskMen, Become a Better Man, Big Shiny Things, Mantics and guyQ are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis Canada, Inc. and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. All rights reserved. Likewise with cheese: A powerhouse of protein and calcium yet laden with saturated fat, cheese should be enjoyed in small portions. Americans have super-sized and super-fattened nearly every dish that we consider Mexican today — in fact, many Mexican dishes were created in the U.S., so they don't even exist south of the border. Lemon-Blueberry Ricotta-Buttermilk Pancakes. 1 / 2 2 / 2 Previous. The great news is that restaurants across the nation are lightening up their cuisine in an effort to help stem the tide of obesity. Follow these tips to healthy Mexican dining: 1 Sidestep Chips And Salsa. Do you have a food confession you need to get off your chest? Copyright © 2020 Discovery, Inc. or its subsidiaries and affiliates. Consider this: CSPI sent some of the menu items from the new Chipotle fast food restaurant chain off to a laboratory for analysis since the calories were not available from the company. If the basket is already on the table when you sit down, ask your server to take it off the table. Of particular concern is the stunting and micronutrient deficiencies in young children, iron deficiency in pregnant women and… Baja Fresh: Steak quesadilla —1,450 and 86 grams of fat. Just Get These Vitamin D Supplements In Your Bod. If you are like me, you probably reach first for the tortilla chips dipped in salsa. Start with portion control. Can't resist? By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts. At Baja, another new Mexican fast food chain, the Especial Combo meal contained a whopping 32 ounces of food totaling 1,730 calories, 71 grams of fat, and 3,720 mg of sodium -- more than most of you probably have in your plan for an entire day. You probably knew what a quesadilla was when you were just a toddler. It's all about fragrant curries, aromatic grilled fish and meat, veggie stir fries and fresh salads. Choose dishes that have plenty of fresh veggies, lettuce, tomatoes, and salsa. Yes, we just said Nacho-Topped Chilli Pot. We've teamed up with Ocado to bring together all the barbecue recipes you need. Choose corn and whole-wheat tortillas over flour tortillas because they have fewer calories, less fat, and more fiber. So what's a hungry Mexican food lover to do? Mexican dishes are prepared with loads of fresh produce, protein-packed beans, fiber-filled tortillas, and nutritious spices like chilies, garlic, cloves, cinnamon, and cumin. You can enjoy Mexican cuisine if you follow a few guidelines for selecting the more healthful offerings at these restaurants or when you whip up the cuisine at home: The only way to be sure you are getting healthy food that fits into your eating plan is to check out the nutritional profiles of the foods. Get heart-conscious tips for cooking and ordering healthy Mexican meals. Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill: Carne Asada Taco with rice and beans — 710 calories and 22 grams of fat. But just because it is labeled vegetarian or grilled does not necessarily mean it is healthy. Baja has its "Baja" style that is lighter in calories. Let's compare a few traditional Mexican dishes with those that you find at the average Mexican restaurant in the United States: Chipotle's: Beef Burrito —1,026 calories and 46 grams of fat. Get rid of it. Mexican rice is often made with tomatoes and very little, if any, fat. Feed a crowd with our recipes for the ultimate game-night snacks and nibbles. How Long Does Coronavirus Live On Surfaces? Not chips, not wedges and definitely not curly fries. And, like most Americans, you're probably still eating them today. Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, Becoming a Vegetarian: Foods to Choose From. Skip extra fat and sodium for a healthier fiesta . You won't have to think twice next time you're contemplating a comfort food feast. Nadiya Hussain embarks on a culinary road trip around Britain. Now, grab yourself a fork and dig in... because you can! Mmmmm - that basket of warm chips calls to you. Not exactly the right kind of foods for WLC members. Add cubes of raw potato to a dish if you’ve accidentally over-salted it. You love Mexican food, but how healthy is it? Korean food couldn't be simpler with Judy Joo. If you look at a rural Mexican diet, it’s very plant-based. Twerking turkeys, pigs in actual blankets and Christmas tacos galore!