HOW TO EAT HEALTHY AT A MEXICAN RESTAURANT!!!

Is this even possible? Tomorrow is my mom's birthday and we are going for Mexican. Any suggestions on what/how to order?
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Replies

  • Cerviche is a good option.
  • barronsm43
    barronsm43 Posts: 7 Member
    Order a chicken fajita salad, season it with pico de gallo or salsa and no other dressing, tell them no cheese or sour cream, but a little guacamole should be okay. If it comes in a fried shell don't eat it. If you want a tortilla, a steamed corn tortilla would be pretty healthy. Order water with lots of lemon, and eat this not too late in the day…if possible. A little bowl of gaucho beans is healthy, too. Enjoy!
  • kelseyann92
    kelseyann92 Posts: 171 Member
    Thanks you two! I was thinking of a shrimp or fish salad or something along those lines :)
  • Camo_xxx
    Camo_xxx Posts: 1,082 Member
    camarones de ajo
    Bisteca
    Chile verde
    Piscado

    All basic Mexican dishes that are typically made from whole foods in a real Mexican restaurant. Just like at home be mindful of portion size and watch the chips and tortillas.
  • cmpnaz
    cmpnaz Posts: 190
    A bowl of Chile Colorado ( Red Chile) Eat with a spoon no tortillas ... Limit yourself to 10-12 tortilla chips with Salsa( the hardest thing to do) and drink Water or unsweetened tea .... Healthy, and Red Chile is good for your system..

    of course you can have a little more chips and salsa if it fits into your Daily calorie deficit and your macros
  • RockWarrior84
    RockWarrior84 Posts: 840 Member
    I do not think it is possible, free chips and salsa.
  • kelseyann92
    kelseyann92 Posts: 171 Member
    I do not think it is possible, free chips and salsa.


    YES
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    Every Time this question comes up I wonder why people don't think of fajitas.
  • mccindy72
    mccindy72 Posts: 7,001 Member
    or for one meal, it's not a big deal to go over a calorie limit. You're not going to gain weight for a one day indulgence.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    Is this even possible? Tomorrow is my mom's birthday and we are going for Mexican. Any suggestions on what/how to order?
    Why not just enjoy your mums Birthday and not worry too much. One meal wont destroy your progress. Then the following day just carry on as normal. You're not going to suddenly put your 42 pounds back on because of one night. Enjoy yourself
  • RockWarrior84
    RockWarrior84 Posts: 840 Member
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  • Some_Watery_Tart
    Some_Watery_Tart Posts: 2,250 Member
    Every Time this question comes up I wonder why people don't think of fajitas.
    Duh. Although the Mexican place by my house does a great house version of fajitas with bacon-wrapped shrimp smothered in cheese. Fantastic and worth every stinkin' calorie.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    I'M ASSUMING YOU WANT LOW CALORIES SO ORDER THE FAJITAS AND DON'T GO OVERBOARD ON THE TORTILLAS AND CHIPS, ALSO NO SOUR CREAM
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Depends...are you talking about traditional "real" Mexican? If so, it's really pretty easy...traditional Mexican food is very healthful. If you're talking about the basterdized, Americanized version of "Mexican" food... that has everything drenched in a pound of cheese and cooked in tons of lard then good luck.

    I personally wouldn't worry too much about one meal myself...but if I were trying to keep my calories down I'd probably opt for chicken fajitas and only eat about half the order...I can easily split a half order of fajitas with my wife at most restaurants I've eaten and be completely satisfied.
  • Lasmartchika
    Lasmartchika Posts: 3,440 Member
    Eat anything you want. It's one meal and it's not gonna kill your progress. Eat right during the day, like you usually do, and for your mom's dinner eat WHATEVER. Seriously. Enjoy the party. Get some frijoles and arroz and carne asada, some ceviche, some pollo con mole, chile relleno, menudo, pozole... chips and salsa, aguacate, sour cream. (Don't order everything I just wrote. Choose something from the list. LOL!) Don't deny yourself some food. ENJOY IT!! :bigsmile:

    Ok, how about this. Since usually the plates of food are big, eat half and save the other half of whatever you order.
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
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    Yes this ^

    Maw on a pile of chips and salsa.
    Wash it down with beer.
    Eat more chips and salsa.
    Wash it down with beer.
    Keep doing this until you get bored or have to get up and pee.

    Wait. What was the goal again???
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    I usually go with shrimp or fish tacos, if the fish is grilled. Fajitas are good too.
  • kaseyr1505
    kaseyr1505 Posts: 624 Member
    I would workout hard in the morning before I went, then adjust the week. Obviously, follow moderation, because it's the greatest. One day won't hurt.
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    I get chicken/veg fajitas, b/c I can (somewhat) control what goes into them. I skip the sour cream. I give the rice/most of the beans that come with to my kids. I use mostly salsa and a little guac on the fajitas. I also never let the husband get a second basket of chips.
  • IsaCaliBel
    IsaCaliBel Posts: 99 Member
    Baja style Mexican food, I eat pretty often.
    I also avoid fried or creamy dishes.

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  • RockWarrior84
    RockWarrior84 Posts: 840 Member
    Overkill.jpg

    avoid this mound of heaven
  • tigerblue
    tigerblue Posts: 1,526 Member
    Fajitas. You don't even have to eat the tortilla if you are low carb. Or sometimes chicken enchiladas if there is not a lot of sauce and cheese.

    Of course, the hard part is the chips and salsa and the margarita!
  • tabicatinthehat
    tabicatinthehat Posts: 329 Member
    Nope. If I'm going to a Mexican restaurant, I'm having the cheese-stuffed fried avocado or some badass nachos. Otherwise, I'm not going.
  • 365andstillalive
    365andstillalive Posts: 663 Member
    Mexican food, real mexican food, is delicious and incredibly healthy. It's that mexican food is often calorie dense -- refried beans, avacado/guacamole, corn chips.

    Honestly, though, it's a great chance to bone up on some protein and eat a ton of fresh veggies. Just be mindful of portion sizes.

    When I'm going out for Mexican, I eat basically fruit and veggies all day, and make sure that I do a run in the morning so that I have at least 1000-1200 calories to work with haha.
  • Camo_xxx
    Camo_xxx Posts: 1,082 Member
    Fajitas. Lol. That's like going to dominions for Italian.

    Go to a Mexican restaurant and enjoy some Mexican food.
  • Water_Gal
    Water_Gal Posts: 52 Member
    Fajitas, only eat one tortilla since they are at least 100 cals and all carb

    Salad with grilled chicken or shrimp

    Ensalata fajita which is a salad with grilled stuff on top, just don't eat the fried tortilla bowl.

    Avoid the chips, sour cream and flan. Do eat some guac, it's good for you.

    I eat Mexican every week. Our favorite spot has many healthy options.
  • Snip8241
    Snip8241 Posts: 767 Member
    Ceviche is a good option, just go easy on the chips.

    Chicken fajitas. Maybe no rice though.
  • willettamie
    willettamie Posts: 9 Member
    I'm with you...I absolutely "la'ove" Mexican food (born and raised in Southern California) I can't eat that type of food anymore due to health concerns, but man if I could....:laugh: - good conversation with friends & family over never ending bowls of warm chips and fresh salsa, not to mention the "table-side" guacamole. If I could, I would eat healthy & exercise the rest of the week and just go out and enjoy some great food!
  • Kate7294
    Kate7294 Posts: 783 Member
    I treated myself to a taco salad after losing around 15 lbs. Yum. May have to go back again soon.
    Recently saw a tip about splitting orders with someone else adding veggies on the side. Mainly enjoy.
  • joanthemom8
    joanthemom8 Posts: 375 Member
    My husband is from Mexico and when we eat out, we mostly go to a Mexican restaurant. I skip the rice side dish (I'm not a big fan of rice, anyway, and I rather save those calories) and I ask for frijoles de la olla instead of refried beans (boiled pinto beans instead of refried...yummy, plus I make pinto beans at home too.). If I get a tostada salad, I also do not eat the shell. I give any sour cream to my daughter and as for easy cheese.

    I would also say that, if you're going for a special occasion, you should just plan carefully that day and don't worry too much about calories....once in a while it's OK to enjoy yourself.

    Have fun!