Mexican Food

CarlaAnn15

Looking for a little help! Currently, I've lost 41 lbs, most of which before finding this website but have 51 lbs to reach my goal. I'm also involved in a BL Challenge locally and have been counting calories and exercising which is how I've lost my 41 lbs. Eating out can sometimes be a challenge, I've taught myself a lot with eating out. But here's my question for this post. Saturday, I'm meeting some friends for Mexican... What are some low calorie options?? Any suggestions, tips, etc would be greatly appreciated. I will work out that day but don't want to count on my workout burn calories to 'take care' of what I eat.

Thanks for your help!!

jessicak1313

I would go for the grilled Chicken or fish. Just becareful for the sides and the toppings. Congrats on 41 lbs, that's great! I am just getting started, I hope to be as successful as you

2bfitb450

I am doing the same tonight for a friends birthday. We are going to look on line for ideas and be ready before we get there.

mmelaragno

Our local restaurants offer like a Mexican Stir Fry, which is pretty healthy and good. Skip the chips for sure!

james3302

Chicken fajitas without the tortillas! Or at least cut down the number of tortillas you eat. And skimp on the free tortilla chips also. Most of the items I find in Mexican restaraunts are covered in cheese so stay away from those food items.

doshie1

perhaps tortilla soup minus the tortillas on top, as if it is a broth based soup if so i might think about that...watch out for a cream based soup though !

jchecks

I would check out their salads...thats what I usually go for when we eat mexican. BUT ... beware of the cheese...a lot of mexican restaurants LOAD on the cheese...so my tip would be to ask for it on the side or just none at all.

coronalime

Is their menu on line by any chance? Try and stay away from the chips and salsa. You can look up "On the Border" nutrition and that may give you an idea of what an enchilada etc.. would have...I normally do a salad no taco shell and stay away from any cheese, sour cream, avocado (or put it on the side) and I use salsa as the dressing. 2 hard/soft shell tacos with chicken lettuce tomato isnt to bad either. Oh and the rice! stay away if you can. Just do beans or ask for some veggies. I hear fajitas arent to bad if you ask to go light on the oil and watch how many of the tortillas you have.

Sillybunni

Fajitas would probably be a good option, they usually come with grilled peppers/veggies too.
How about a taco salad with a grilled meat and don't eat the fried bowl it comes in? See if you can get pico de gallo instead of a dressing.
Try logging in a few typical menu items and see how they fit in with your daily journal.

lbridges27

I'd go with fajitas and just eat the meat & veggies- no tortillas

mayana2002

I love Mexican food! The bad part of it are the calories... I try to avoid fried stuff. I rather go to a sof taco than a crispy taco. I like fish taco and looooove carne asada soft taco with corn tortilla. Today is the Mexican night at home and I limit myself to 2 asada tacos or 1 asada taco with one tb spoon of refried beans and two of spanish rice. WHen I get tamales, I usualy go for the chicken with green salsa. And I don't eat more than 2 if they are small.
About drinks, if you drink, go for Mojitos. Margaritas have waaay more calories than a mojito.
I do that every Saturday night and lose weight still.
As much as I love chips and salsa, I get something else like a salad (without the fried tortilla) or just concentrate on my drink. Chips are fried and loaded with salt.
If you want to eat something else, what I do in a unknown calorie situation is, I eat half of it. Never the whole portion... If it is too big, I eat 1/3 of it. Good thing is you will have lunch for the next day!
And the most important, have FUN with your friends! If you think you will go a lil over in that night, exercise during the day and the next day start your diet normally!!!:drinker:

GURLEY_GIRL3

THEY HAVE GREAT SALADS..WITH GRILLED SHRIMP AND PICO DE GALO TOMATOES ONION BELLPEPPERS W/ FRESH LIME TO SQUEEZE ON IT...ITS GREAT!

jamie1888

Last time we had lunch at Chevy's (Mexican), I had a Salsa Chicken Enchilada (240 cals) and asked them to put it over a bed of salad greens. Made for a filling, yummy salad! Salsa is great for sauce or dressing on anything. Remember, you can ask them to customize something for you. What do you like to eat? Ask for some shredded chicken over salad greens with black beans, maybe some corn & top w/salsa.

jamie1888

Also, in most cases, a crispy taco has less calories and fat than a soft taco. Defies logic, but true!

raindancer

I like to have just the Shrimp cocktail. The mexican version is awesome. Lite and filling.

Melis25Fit

Avoid Chips! And no margaritas! Say yes to ice water! Order Chicken Fajitas without sour cream and guac and cheese, pile up with veggies and salsa! Mmmm!

kristinlough

If you can handle spicy ... I love camarones a la diabla. It's a ton of veggies, the chile adobo sauce is a little fatty, but 1/3 of an order is about 200 calories. I try to avoid or eat only one tortilla. And with all the peppers, it's really filling and super super yummy!

CarlaAnn15

Thanks everyone!! This really does help!!! Good Luck to you all on your continued weight loss journey!!

To me this isn't a diet, it's a weight loss management program that has become my life style!!

T0RIEELIZABETH

I work at a mexican restaraunt and it kiiiillss me. But for the past couple of days I have been looking up on what is ok to eat and what is terrible. Definitely avoid chips and queso, and I know where I work we have whole grain tortillas. dont get cheese on anything, you cant even taste it. We can put burritos and tacos in a bowl so you dont get a tortilla, and try to eat something healthy before, or drink a lot of water, so that you are not tempted to overindulge.

CarlaAnn15

Thanks tsosbe!! I think I'd have a lot of trouble working in a Mexican Restaraunt too!!! Good Luck to you on your continued weight loss!

T0RIEELIZABETH

Thank you! Good luck to you too!

kacylaine

I love traditional Mexican tacos. The kind I get have steak and pico on a 4 inch corn tortila. Soooo yummy! Corn tortillas have far, far fewer calories than flour. Good luck!

queenmedusa

I Mexican food so very much! Tortillas are delish but high in calories. Depends how they cook the veggies too as the one Mexican restaurant local to me (I live in the UK) fries the veg so it comes out dripping in oil - yes I'm particularly good before I go there so I can indulge in my fajitas! Go careful with the sour cream too, salsa is good so long as it doesn't come with a huge pile of nachos :laugh:

Enjoy your evening though and don't beat yourself up if you eat something 'naughty' - just get back on track afterwards. Life's too short after all!

smilestb99

It depends on what all they serve at the restaurant, but one of my favorites at a restaurant I love is a chicken fajita salad. It is basically fajita veggies and chicken, with pico de gallo on the side. I ask for it with no shell and no sour cream.
Also camarones al mojo de ajo - Mexican style. This is a shrimp and mushroom dish in a tomato-based sauce.
You could also get a couple hardshell tacos or a taco salad without the shell, cheese, and sour cream.
What I do is order water with lemon, and ask for a box when my meal comes so I can put half in it right away. I'd say skip the chips and salsa, but a few (or ten) isn't going to hurt you and salsa is good for you. It's one of the treats I let myself have sometimes. Soy crisps and salsa are a good snack btw.