Advice for eating out at a Mexican Restaurant.

1) Order food
2) Eat food

Stop acting like one meal is going to make you "fat." Friday 1/4/13 I had dinner at BD Mongolias. I had a giant 20+ ounce beer, 4 plates of stir-fry with meats, veggies and sauces, a glass of sangria, and wrapped it up with deep-fried Oreos with chocolate drizzle and ice cream. I was 201 that morning, and 205 the next morning. I laughed about it. Yesterday (do the math - 4 days later) I was 199.

Why do we say that weight loss is a "LIFE-LONG COMMITMENT"? Because the events of ONE DAY have VERY LITTLE influence.

Go have a nice dinner out. Quit making mountains out of a bowl of nachos.

I just don't go out to eat but on a "free day".
Some of us are just WEAK!
If we're at a nice restaurant, I want something fabulous.
And I'll walk 5 miles afterward listening to music to offset some of it.
For what this is worth, that is my suggestion.
ENJOY!

Living here in New Mexico and having such restaraunts on just about every corner I can attest to the difficulty here...actually, it's a bit worse because I'm actually dealing with authentic New Mexican cuisine which is even worse than authentic Mexican. Actually, authentic Mexican can be rather healthy and nutritious...it's mostly the Americanized versions of Mexican that make it so high calorie and high fat. Here's what I do...because I have to have my fix every couple of weeks...couldn't ever give it up, especially living where I am:

1.) Take it easy on the chips and salsa...just because they're unlimited doesn't mean you have to eat a whole basket of chips and a jar of salsa. I usually get a small plate or I use my napkin and give myself a serving and that's all I get...no reaching for the basket.

2.) Ask for a to go box from the get go and put half of your food in it...the remainder on your plate is lunch/dinner...whatever

3.) Look for menu options that aren't smothered in sauce and cheese (or get those items on the side). Fajitas are my go to here. Also, inquire as to what they use when making tortillas...a lot of NM restaurants here make their own tortillas and being authentic, they use straight up lard. Skip the desert sopapillas.

Doing the above, I can generally cut a 1,000-1,200 calorie meal by half and I'm not overly stuffed, which always makes me feel disgusting and tired on top of it. Every once in awhile I like to really go to town at my favorite NM restaurant, but I pretty much plan my day around it...usually means very light (and clean) meals the rest of the day and I forgo my usual snacks (which are generally very healthy, but just no room for the calories).

One lunch out every now and then won't harm you. If you typically bow out of them enjoy this one. Easy Peasy.

La Senorita has nutritional information on their website.

Guacamole is *very* healthy. Eat it without guilt. So is salsa! Skip the rice and the chips and the refried beans.

I'm always wary of restaurant guac. Common recipes add sour cream & other junk so it's not as good for you.

My rule of thumb, if it looks like a true green of an avocado, eat it. If it looks like it's whiter/added in sour cream, don't eat it. Or you could ask the waitress. I guess that's easier :P

I love Mexican food, we go out to eat at the same one every Friday or Saturday night. I just eat half of whatever I want, then take home the rest for a leftover lunch or dinner. I also just have a few chips and Salsa or cheese dip, which salsa is generally pretty low in Calories anyway. Moderation is key. Also having a water keeps the caloric intake low.

Try a tostada of chicken. it is a tortilla chip and it has black beans, chicken breast, lettuce, cheese and avocado. They are good. i make them at home and when I add the calories of all teh items Its not so high at all. Try it.

If you are looking for healthy options, stay away from the alcohol, unless you love it like me. Then just limit it to 1. As far as entrees, fajitas that you make yourself would be good, but I always go for the fish tacos, which are usually grilled, with sauce on the side. I usually just end up using lime juice anyways instead of whatever mayo/sour cream that they offer. And stay away from the chips if you have the will power. I do not lol.

And most of all, enjoy it!! One day is not going to kill you if you go over calories so don't stress. Just do an extra work out, or tighten up your calories later in the week.

don'y, LMOA. Sorry had to.

Mexican is hard to do low cal. Just don';t eat as much and make sure you workout.

Fish tacos if they aren't fried and on corn tortillas! Delicious!

I don't eat the chips. At all. But if you love the chips and feel they are worth the calories, then count out a few and stick to that serving. I almost always order fajitas, but I only eat the meat/grilled veggie part. I skip the tortillas and plate that comes with the cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.

I often order a grilled chicken tostada minus the hard shell and substitute black beans for refried beans so it's lettuce on the bottom with everything else on top - I eat the sour cream/guac sparingly. Another trick is to order two soft tacos (grilled chicken or fish are better choices), and instead of the rice and beans on the side, ask to substitute salad or steamed veggies. For me, I try to avoid the chips altogether because once I get started, I find it hard to stop. Good luck!

I work for a Mexican restaurant! The first thing my diet doctor says was "No more work food!". I do find it difficult to pass it up, but we have a grilled chicken salad, and the fajitas are a great idea!! But I do stay away from the Margaritas (although ours are the best in town!). When I got to my 50 lbs lost, I celebrated with a cheese enchilada! Gotta treat yourself sometime!!

Carne asada is wonderful (I don't even use the tortillas!!) as are fajitas. They have wonderful soups, too Unfortunately, chips and salsa get me.