MEXICAN??!? Scarey or not...?

thedreamhazer

Vegetarian fajitas are the best! Ignore the sour cream, cheese, and tortillas. Only eat half, take the rest home.

And ask them not to bring the chips and salsa if you're worried. I always eat the chips and salsa, though, and I'm not even that thrifty about it. I just plan ahead, make sure I get a good burn for the day, and allow it to be my splurge. If you don't want ot splurge, just do your best to not eat the chips. Temptation is difficult, but possible to get through!

melibea

I love Mexican! I try to avoid it if I can because cheese is my weakness and everything Mexican seems to be 102490324 times better with super extra cheese.

jakemg

Salsa is actually pretty low in calories. I try to get more salsa on each chip and keep track of how many chips I eat. Our town has the world's best Mexican restaurant. I always just order my normal (a giant steak burrito), but I only eat half. This keeps the calories down pretty well (and TBH, that giant burrito really is two portions) and it gives me a tasty meal the next day. It's hard not to eat the whole thing because it's delicious, but if you can control yourself, you can still eat what you want, just in moderation.

That and I only go there like once a month. This way, I don't get sick of it, and it's a nice treat.

AllisonS79

Here is a link to an article from Self Magazine. I remembered reading it a couple of months back and I think there is some GREAT info here. This is info you can use and you wont feel deprived. It's more about making a "smarter" choice, even if not always the best choice for weight loss.

http://www.self.com/fooddiet/2011/05/easy-mexican-menu-swaps-slideshow#slide=1

Looks like you'll have to copy & paste it into your browser.

briabner

Chips and salsa are me WEAKNESS!!! What I do is that I allow myslef to eat either 5-10 chips (depending on how my eating has been for the day) I then break up the chips (usually into about 3 or 4 bite size pieces) and then eat as much salsa as I want. Also, when ordering an entree I order the grilled chicken fajitas, and if they have a smaller portion available like a lunch portion I always ask for that. I dont use the soft tortillas included because they can be as high as150-200 calories per tortilla. So, I just eat the fajitas with lots of salsa, no cheese, and maybe guacomole (high in calories, but good for you).

brph26

I actually had Mexican for lunch today. I had 2 beef hard shell tacos with lettuce and cheese with sour cream on the side, and chips and salsa. According to the MFP calculations that all was only 505 calories... I only ever get tacos though, mainly because no one in my house will eat them, so I rarely get them. I suppose they are a better option compared to some of the other dishes.

khstafford

Okay so As I am reading these responses to my question, the common denominator is CHIPS.. and PLANNING ahead before you go. So this is what I came up with

No chips and salsa- if I do Ill have less than 10.
Shrimp, Peppers,onions Salsa and Rice

That puts me at a lower end of cals

Well see.. im meeting a client for dinner so I wont be shoveling food in my face, fab... so self control will be easier.. now if I was alone or with friends, i would have way less will power!

khstafford

yay thanks!

MinnieInMaine

The last time I went out for mexican, I probably over did it with the chips and salsa but my meal was pretty light. I got the grilled chicken taco salad without the shell and no dressing - just used some of the guac as dressing. Sure avacado is high in fat but it's good for you!

Something to always keep in mind when knowing you're dining out is to keep your other meals as light as you can (without being too extreme about it) and get some good calorie burn in advance. That way you've got that cushion and it shouldn't throw you too far off track. Also, drink a ton of water - all restaurant food is full of sodium!

DarMC

I agree with a lot of you!

Limit your intake and choose healthier dishes.

I make my own food, and use corn tortillas. Carne asada with lettuce and tomatoes and tons of salsa. 2 tablespoons of pinto beans or black beans. I count my chips and eat lots of salsa. I stay away from the cheese, sour cream and avacados.

I eat chips and salsa almost on a daily bases (my bad)!

I have always been addicted to salt! A big weakness!! And I do know how bad it is for me!!

Have a great day!

messyhare

I love mexican food as does my husband. I have done several different things when we have gone out. I will bring my own low cal chips/crackers and use those for the salsa, or I will bring veggies of my own and use those for the salsa. I have also brought my own flour tortillas to use for fajitas. We have been regulars at our favorite mexican place for over 18years & they are not bothered at all by my doing any of these things.

hroderick

Beware the refried beans - they're full of lard
Substitute charro beans

I love mexican and my fav restaurant makes a wonderful Yucutan cereviche salad it you like that sort of thing.

And you could be a chilihead like me and eat salsa with a spoon! Here in Tx it's counted as a school lunch vegetable

khstafford

So I did fab! I went, I ordered Rice with Grilled shrimp and Peppers and tons of salas on it! Had maybe 6 or 7 chips, I got there late so everyone had devoured chips so that was fab! The Rice filled me up once I put tons of salsa on it and I ate half my portion!

Yay me! Cal intake was around 450

khstafford

Beware the refried beans - they're full of lard
Substitute charro beans

I love mexican and my fav restaurant makes a wonderful Yucutan cereviche salad it you like that sort of thing.

And you could be a chilihead like me and eat salsa with a spoon! Here in Tx it's counted as a school lunch vegetable

HAHAHA!! I love chili and probably could eat salsa with a spoon!

Bootzey

Scary!

I don't eat pork and they use lard in everything! AND has the nerve to lie about it

bcattoes

Do you eat out mexican? if so what do you get to be low calorie? How do you not eat the chips and salsa! Im so scared to eat there without engourging on chips and salsa which I eat WAY to much of when its free on the table!

I just exercise first, order something low in cheese and without sour cream, like fajita's. I eat the chips & salsa, I eat the fajitas and I drink the Corona. I go over on calories. I enjoy every minute of it. I make sure I don't do it often.

Jdismybug1

I make my own low cal veggie burritos at home