Mexican restaurant

I don't go out to eat very often, so when I do, I make sure to get something I enjoy, even if it's higher calorie than what I would normally eat.

That said, it's hard to beat fajitas. I usually skip rice and only eat the chips if they're actually good, not just because they're there. One place nearby has excellent fresh chips and I will make room in my calorie budget for them, as well as the guacamole.

I went yesterday and had a steak and guacamole salad. But it was torture to sit and watch everyone else eat chips and salsa.

Well, I am pretty sure my local "Mexican" food chain makes food that is not Mexican at all, but their cauliflower burito bowl is pretty good and has low-ish calories.

There is a reason why Mexico distinguishes itself as the most obese country in the World. Its their diet.

Ask for a bowl of bell pepper strips to dip in salsa.

I’ve sat down and calculated the calories on chicken chilaquiles, and if I divide the plate into half and eat the rest the next day, they’re not bad at all.

My local serves a delicious mango/chicken salad that comes in well under 400 calories for a generous plate.

My current favorite is a grilled mango habanero chicken plate. With a side of rice and a side salad, I figure it’s about 7-800 calories. A good bit of that is the sauce. Next time I’m going to ask for “half sauce”.

Btw, I generally still allow myself some chips, but the bell pepper strips both prevent me from scarfing a whole bowl, and fill me up some before the main course is served.

Soft corn tortillas are lower cal than flour ones, because they usually serve the small “street style” corn tortillas, whereas the flour are usually the big plate sized ones.

It’s the meals that come with rice and beans that are particularly dangerous. Im going to start asking for a side salad like they do on the mango habanero dish. Don’t know why I never thought of that before. 🤦🏻‍♀️

I just looked at the World Factbook and the U.S. came in 12th at 36% obesity. Mexico came in 29th at 28.9%, similar to Canada and Australia. Most of the top 10 were South Pacific islands like the Marshall, Cook, Palau, Nauru, Tuvalu, all above 50%.

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/most-obese-countries

Mexico weighs in at 28.9% obesity... Which puts it outside the top 25.

wilson10102018 wrote: »

janejellyroll wrote: »

wilson10102018 wrote: »

There is a reason why Mexico distinguishes itself as the most obese country in the World. Its their diet.

What is the source for this? When I look it up, their obesity rate isn't even in the top ten and it's below the US.

Jane, I was just starting to think you made some sense in your posts. But, you obviously cannot help yourself.

Mexico ranks the most obese country in the world in adult obesity (as of 2013), and first for childhood obesity with about 4.5 million children diagnosed as such. Mexico passed the United States as the most obese country in the world.[4] The prevalence of overweight and obesity is 16.7% in preschool children, 26.2% in school children, and 30.9% in adolescents. For adults, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is 39.7 and 29.9%, respectively . . .

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity_in_Mexico#cite_note-who.int-4

I'm honestly confused about why you're making this a personal thing when all I asked was where you got that information. Not many other sources seem to agree with the particular Wikipedia article that you cited.

Here's a list from Wikipedia that shows Mexico at 29% obesity, which is outside the top 25: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_obesity_rate

It's based on information from 2020 and the US is higher than Mexico.

Here's another source with more recent data from the WHO, showing Mexico tied for 28th place with Malta:

https://obesity.procon.org/global-obesity-levels/

I think what we can safely say is that Mexico, like many countries, struggles with obesity. But it's hard to see a good case that they are the most obese nation in the world.

wilson10102018 wrote: »

janejellyroll wrote: »

I'm honestly confused about why you're making this a personal thing when all I asked was where you got that information.

Jane, you're an adult, conversant in interpersonal communications, right? Do you think it is normal to search out alternative sources to dispute a current and recently cited World Health Organization statement when whether Mexico is first or second is utterly collateral to the subject. Do you think Mexicans would be eating more healthy if Mexico was number 2?
No, you are just a person who want to one up the next guy to show how smart you are. Guess what, the opposite is proven. Now leave me alone.

I'm just a person who was surprised to read that Mexico was the most obese nation in the world when I had never heard that before. I understand that it may be unusual for people to want to verify information, but it's something I personally like to do before passing things along. It's not an issue of quibbling over whether Mexico is first or second. There's a relevant difference between the claim that Mexico is the most obese country in the world and the reality -- which is that Mexico is 28th on the list, and under the United States.

angela11pitts wrote: »

Is there anything low cal at your local chain mexican restaurant? What is your go to if you are going out to eat at a Mexican restaurant?

Since December, I've been limiting fat and saturated fat and find this really helps reduce calories as well, since fat is 9 calories per gram vs the 4 calories per gram of carbs and protein. So you could avoid fried foods and foods that have a lot of cheese.

You could also get higher fat foods and have smaller portions.

I recently got a chicken mole dinner and made three meals out of it.

When I get takeout from Chipotles, I will buy a burrito bowl without sour cream or cheese, divide it into two portions, and have it with a salad I make myself. (Yes, Chipotles has salad options, but my way is more frugal.) I will add fat-free cottage cheese to make up for some of the missing dairy for far less calories plus a protein bonus. Sometimes I will add my own low-fat sour cream.