Help Mexican For Dinner

babybs
babybs Posts: 48 Member
edited November 20 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm joining friends for Mexican dinner tonight. Any suggestions on what to eat that won't completely break the bank? I know enough to stay away from the chips and I don't drink alcohol. I don't eat seafood so that's out. Help please.
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Replies

  • bpetrosky
    bpetrosky Posts: 3,911 Member
    babybs wrote: »
    I'm joining friends for Mexican dinner tonight. Any suggestions on what to eat that won't completely break the bank? I know enough to stay away from the chips and I don't drink alcohol. I don't eat seafood so that's out. Help please.

    Grilled meats, vegetables = i.e. fajitas or skirt steak are good options
  • amgreenwell
    amgreenwell Posts: 1,267 Member
    fajitas without the tortilla, salad with some yummy guac or some chicken on top
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Chimichanga soft is my favorite.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Fajitas are often loaded with oil though... I'm amazed by the calories when I look up their nutrition info in restaurants.

    Tostadas or a couple tacos seems like a better option, IMO... Or a salad with salsa as dressing, and light on the cheese.
  • babybs
    babybs Posts: 48 Member
    Sounds yummy. Going to be hard to stay away from the beans, my favorite.
  • blondx7
    blondx7 Posts: 1,683 Member
    agree with Francl27. if you don't eat seafood, then a couple of a la carte tacos with meat and pico may be your best bet.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    babybs wrote: »
    Sounds yummy. Going to be hard to stay away from the beans, my favorite.

    Depending on what else you eat, you don't have to avoid beans. The calorie counts are pretty reasonable.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    I have no idea what your calorie goal is but I get huevos con chorizo and guacamole.
  • babybs
    babybs Posts: 48 Member
    Thank you all for the suggestions.
  • munchkinettes
    munchkinettes Posts: 22 Member
    I usually find good soups at Mexican restaurants. Chicken tortilla soup and a side salad?
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    a tortilla soup is always good, but calories may vary.

    honestly, do your best and just accept you eat what you eat. one day won't hurt. if you want, tomorrow do a little more in the workout department
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    Taco salad, meat of your choice, dressing on the side, move the chips away from you.
  • jlnolin
    jlnolin Posts: 5 Member
    I agree with @DeguelloTex. Taco salad, shredded chicken, salsa as your dressing, maybe some guac for healthy fats. Yummy!
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    You don't have to avoid anything, just eat less.

    For chips: ask for a plate, put about 7 to 8 and guesstimate that this is about a serving.

    For meal: order what you want, ask for a to-go box right away, and put half in the box and save for tomorrow. If it's a particularly big meal, divide it into thirds, leave 1/3 on your plate and put the rest into a box for two more meals.
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    edited July 2015
    DeguelloTex wrote: »
    Taco salad, meat of your choice, dressing on the side, move the chips away from you.

    Yep. Great Mexican restaurant choice, except have a few chips if you want!
  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    DeguelloTex wrote: »
    Taco salad, meat of your choice, dressing on the side, move the chips away from you.

    Yep. Great Mexican restaurant choice, except have a few chips if you want!
    Oh, I'm not saying don't eat the chips. As a huge fan of Tex-Mex, that's one of the sentences I'd be least likely ever to say. I'm just saying don't have the basket/bowl right in front you so you can munch mindlessly. Get a few at a time and enjoy the corn goodness.
  • rushbabe0214
    rushbabe0214 Posts: 105 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    You don't have to avoid anything, just eat less.

    For chips: ask for a plate, put about 7 to 8 and guesstimate that this is about a serving.

    For meal: order what you want, ask for a to-go box right away, and put half in the box and save for tomorrow. If it's a particularly big meal, divide it into thirds, leave 1/3 on your plate and put the rest into a box for two more meals.

    ^ This.

  • Queenmunchy
    Queenmunchy Posts: 3,380 Member
    I love Mexican because you can ask for warmed/steamed corn tortillas, load up on meat/veg and there are so many low calorie condiments - jalapeño, cilantro, lime - that really pack a flavor punch.
  • cuckoo_jenibeth
    cuckoo_jenibeth Posts: 1,434 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    You don't have to avoid anything, just eat less.

    For chips: ask for a plate, put about 7 to 8 and guesstimate that this is about a serving.

    For meal: order what you want, ask for a to-go box right away, and put half in the box and save for tomorrow. If it's a particularly big meal, divide it into thirds, leave 1/3 on your plate and put the rest into a box for two more meals.

    Great advice here ^^^^. Also, I have found that most Mexican restaurants will provide sliced veggies to dip in place of chips. And you could always split a meal with a friend or chose a smaller, lighter appetizer as your meal.
    Above all, enjoy yourself & realize that one meal will not undo your hard work. And, if it will assuage some guilt, add in some extra exercise tomorrow!
  • besaro
    besaro Posts: 1,858 Member
    i assume by help you mean you need help eating all the mexican foods?
  • softblondechick
    softblondechick Posts: 1,275 Member
    Stay away from chips, alcoholic beverages, request a large salad, no sour cream, cheese or guacamole. Salsa dressing. Skip dessert.
  • Leesha387
    Leesha387 Posts: 20 Member
    Dont be afraid of the Salsa! low cal :) and Yummy!
  • cjcool88
    cjcool88 Posts: 188 Member
    edited July 2015
    Hi, amiga!...I know it can be a little bit hard when mexican food is around, and I know if for a fact because, well, I am mexican (living in Mexico, don't wanna upset Donald Trump haha) and of course, we have very unhealty mexican food, but we also have very very healthy food...


    So, I will stick with just 1 or 2 tortillas, cooked beans (not refried, we use pork lard to cook refried beans) and go with some charbroiled meat or chicken (carne asada or pechuga asada) or at least grilled or broiled. And some cooked or raw veggies, of course some chiles (or a bit of salsa), nopales asados (cactus), panela cheese (low fat) and maybe some chicken broth with veggies.

    Avoid rice, burritos (flour tortillas), tortilla chips (fried) , chimichangas and chilaquiles.

    If you can't avoid drinks, you can go for natural "Agua de jamaica" (hibiscus) and/or carbonated water (club soda) with lime (if it's a mexican restaurant , there should be plenty of lime or lemons).

    Enjoy your food, buen provecho!
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    eat what you want and what will enjoy and log it :)

    i love fish tacos, and those are reasonable calorie wise. but sometimes.... im all about the enchiladas! mmmmmm
  • Bshmerlie
    Bshmerlie Posts: 1,026 Member
    Just skip tortillas and chips. Go minimal on cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. Those can add up a lot on calories.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    How many calories do you have to work with tonight OP?

    I usually figure a restaurant meal for anywhere from 800-1000 cals at a minimum, without alcohol or dessert. It's certainly possible to minimize this but that's what I usually plan for and I think one of the keys is to understand that even if you do go over, you are not going to undo all your progress. Just get back on track tomorrow.

    That said, at a Mexican place I usually eat some of the chips and salsa (splitting one basket with a family of four really isn't a lot) have either a margarita or a Corona (or two) and get pork carnitas with black beans and rice.
  • MamaBirdBoss
    MamaBirdBoss Posts: 1,516 Member
    Fajitas. I'd do chicken to keep the tortillas. I like tortillas. :)
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Two tacos. Or a steak. Depends on how many calories you have. I usually go to a restaurant with 1200 calories to spare and it's often not enough if I want a drink and eat the chips too.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Also this should help

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10202152/so-youre-going-out-to-eat#latest
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
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    Stay away from them! Just eat your desired meal, and have a good time.
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