Dining Out - Mexican Restaurant

Seminolegirl97
Seminolegirl97 Posts: 306 Member
edited November 12 in Food and Nutrition
We have a favorite Mexican restaurant here in town we love to visit. I just have such a hard time with ordering what I think would be lower calorie/ lower fat. I always end up with the fish tacos' (fish is grilled not breaded).

What is your favorite food at a mexican restaurant that fits into a healthy eating lifestyle.
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Replies

  • jaxbeck
    jaxbeck Posts: 537 Member
    I don't know yet...I haven't been since I've started eating healthier lol

    BUMP
  • k8lyn_235
    k8lyn_235 Posts: 507 Member
    i haven't tried to eat healthy at one yet, either! my problem is, i really only like chicken fajitas. i usually just get chicken, veggies, rice, pico, and lettuce in mine. i'm sure it's still horrible for me with all the grease and carbs from rice and the tortillas.
  • MrDude_1
    MrDude_1 Posts: 2,510 Member
    I just eat whatever I want there...
    theres very little unhealthy stuff there.. its just that everything they have is very calorie dense..

    so I just eat whatever I want to order... and nothing else for the day. its hard to go there and not eat around 2000 calories when you count everything. chips, queso, beans and cheese, sour cream..etc.. it adds up fast.
  • jadamuriel76
    jadamuriel76 Posts: 58 Member
    I haven't gone to one since trying to loose. It's one of my favs so it is missed dearly. :-(
  • sjv1966
    sjv1966 Posts: 121 Member
    Mexican restaurants are tough. Maybe try a chicken fajita but just eat the chicken and veggies and not the beans, rice or tortillas that come with them (or at least eat a limited amount).
  • ckdub428
    ckdub428 Posts: 453 Member
    Grilled chicken and onions. Say no to the chips or just have a few and really stick to it. Watch the sour cream and cheese. I also like to get guac and 1 or two corn tortillas.

    Love having my mexican restaurant nights back!!
  • LeenaRuns
    LeenaRuns Posts: 1,309 Member
    Shrimp fajitas with corn tortillas, no rice, cheese, or sour cream. You still get peppers, lettuce, tomatoes and guac. So good!
  • jadedone
    jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
    I almost always get soft tacos on corn tortillas. (the street taco style that usually just have meat, salsa and maybe whole beans). These usually only have 200-250 calories, so you can have a couple and feel full.

    Otherwise I get ceviche (seafood marinated in citrus, it might also have some chopped veggies and fruit)

    If I am really lucky, and it is a place with all of the fun mexican snacks, I'll get jicama, mango or watermelon seasoned with chile powder and lime.

    I like to keep the chips far away from the table. I can plow through baskets of warm chips. :)

    Then I get the house salad.
  • PlasticPsycho
    PlasticPsycho Posts: 111
    I've been to a mexican restaurant just yesterday and ordered a mushroom-enchilada and a spinach-burrito (came together with some veggies and of course cheese)
    I ended up just eating half of it and taking the other half home today :)
    So I didn't go over my limit yesterday and don't have to cook today :)
  • TubbsMcGee
    TubbsMcGee Posts: 1,058 Member
    I allow myself a cheat day once, sometimes twice a week.

    Our local Mexican restaurant obviously doesn't have any nutritional information either. I usually end up getting the baked chicken enchiladas (with Spanish rice and refried beans, dousing everything in fresh salsa), but only eating half of it so that I have left overs.
    ...but also because I have to save room for sangria and fried ice cream.
  • smplycomplicated
    smplycomplicated Posts: 484 Member
    I go on my "free" day and get whatever i want..Just watch my portions.
  • ryno0618
    ryno0618 Posts: 361
    chicken soft tacos with corn tortillas

    chicken fajitas

    shrimp fajitas

    grilled fish tacos

    that's what i usually choose. I avoid the rice and the beans.
  • eoney
    eoney Posts: 35
    I try to do stuff like count out 12 (or how ever many) chips to have with the salsa instead of just going back in the basket again and again. I've also done stuff like sharing an entree...I have 5 year old that will happily eat have my carne asada entree if not all of the sides! That helps...a little...Dude's right though that it adds up FAST! And the margaritas do me in no matter HOW good I was for the rest of the meal!! I think his advice to try and compensate for it prior to the meal (either with reduced calories throughout the day...or maybe with an extra mile or so on the treadmill) is the best way to go about it.
  • krissers9
    krissers9 Posts: 20 Member
    I try to look at a menu of where I am going and calculate before I go. I have not excluded anything from what I allow myself to eat, but I have learned a lot about portion sizes. Anything, in moderation, is not bad, especially if it's occassionaly and you include other great things throughout the rest of the day.
  • lambeas
    lambeas Posts: 229 Member
    I ask for the rice & beans on the side of my " naked" beef /chicken fajitas... they serve up all the yummy mexican goodness.. without the tortilla... is a little heathier- but still pretty high in sodium

    I think whenever you go to a place like that, is more about portion control than anything... as everything is ridden with cheeses & added sodium!
  • lisafred24
    lisafred24 Posts: 306 Member
    I always order the chicken fajitas (eat half and take half home) and I have them hold the side plate (tortillas, cheese, sour cream, beans, etc.)
  • LPinTheD
    LPinTheD Posts: 129
    I love the scrambled eggs w/ cactus, onions, tomatoes and green peppers... add some salsa... delish!

    Or chicken fajitas without the tortillas.. avoid the sour cream (not a problem for me, I never used it anyway), and limit the cheese.

    Even a little guacamole is ok, because avacados contain healthy fats.

    Enjoy!
  • Sp1nGoddess
    Sp1nGoddess Posts: 1,134 Member
    Tortilla Soup = hold the garnish
    Chicken Mole
    Pollo Loma Linda ( chicken breast with veggies I hold the sauce.)
  • MissingMinnesota
    MissingMinnesota Posts: 7,486 Member
    Fajitas or Carne Asada are usually my go to at mexican restaurants.
  • SPBROOKS68
    SPBROOKS68 Posts: 561 Member
    Spinach Quesadilla with Mushrooms and Pico De Gallo
  • techteachergirl
    techteachergirl Posts: 161 Member
    I get the chicken, shrimp or seafood fajitas. I ask they use as little oil as possible and they only bring me the meat and veggies. I pour a little salsa on them and ENJOY!

    I have never had an issue when I ask for low/no oil and none of the fixins'. I will also ask for some avacado slices if I have some extra calories and/or want the creaminess....
  • PatasDeGallina
    PatasDeGallina Posts: 155 Member
    Refried beans, guacamole, salsa, corn tortillas. Maybe some fries or chips. I'd rather have fries than chips.

    If you avoid rice, flour tortillas, meat, or cheese you should be ok. And make sure the beans are vegetarian. Otherwise they might have lard in them. Charro beans are also good, but look out for hidden meat.

    Refried beans are actually not that bad calorically. I eat them a lot. Ahem. :blushing:

    The meat in Mexican restaurants is high fat. Even the chicken. It's all cooked in lard. Well, it is if it's done right. :wink:

    Rice will have hidden cals, extra fat, meat. Corn tortillas are always a safe bet. The flour ones are crazy caloric.

    My advice is to workout before you go. Give yourself a little wiggle room.
  • jadedone
    jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
    OK I must be a weirdo, I think Mexican is the absolutely easiest place to stay in calories. It probably helps a lot that I hate sour cream, and I don't like much cheese (if any) on my tacos. :D

    As long as I can avoid the chips, I can have 3 tacos, feel stuffed, and barely have more calories than a normal meal. (650 calories give or take). And corn tortillas have lots of fiber and iron. So I feel downright healthy for choosing mexican.

    It is easier for me to skip the chips than skip french fries with a burger.
  • Melyssaks
    Melyssaks Posts: 69 Member
    Try to plan ahead if you know you are going to go. Eat a small breakfast/ lunch and make sure you work out so that you can still fit that 1000 calorie meal in. That's what I do. I travel a lot and get stuck eating out a lot but as long as I plan my breakfast/ lunches and make sure to get an exercise in (even if it's just jogging in place while watching TV or taking a walk during my lunch break) so that I stay under my calories for the day.
  • Meaganandcheese
    Meaganandcheese Posts: 525 Member
    We justgot Mexican last night!

    I order chicken fajitas and just eat the meat/veggies with some guacamole. Depending on how many calories I have, I'll skip the chips and salsa, or just measure out a portion onto my plate and avoid going back for more.

    I used to love margaritas, but they are becoming less and less worth it.
  • cyclerjenn
    cyclerjenn Posts: 833 Member
    The resteraunt I go to does veggie fajitas with broccoli, zuchini, yellow sqaush as well as the pepers and onions. I get it served with black beans, pico and gucamole with corn tortillas. I eat half and take the other half home for the next day.

    If i'm don't want the left over, some times I will stop on my way home from a bike ride, I just get two sides, black beans and grilled veggies.
  • Seminolegirl97
    Seminolegirl97 Posts: 306 Member
    Great responses everyone, THANKS! Apparently we all love Mexican!! Glad to know I am not alone!
  • rbn_held
    rbn_held Posts: 691 Member
    We hardly ever do mexican food anymore because there isn't much you can order that is healthy, but if we do go usually I order off the sides menu and usually it's a couple chicken soft tacos or a taco and side salad. I never order an entree because I don't need the beans and rice. I limit myself to just a few chips
  • jadedone
    jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
    The meat in Mexican restaurants is high fat. Even the chicken. It's all cooked in lard. Well, it is if it's done right. :wink:

    Lard gets an undeserved bad rap. It isn't any worse than butter. Especially if it comes from "clean" animals. If it comes from ones eating grass, it is actually a good source of omega-3s. And adds a lot more taste to things. So it is better for you than canola or soy actually.
  • Kissybiz
    Kissybiz Posts: 361 Member
    I had Mexican food last night. I had two taco al carbon on corn tortillas, no rice, no chips and queso.. just the tacos, guacamole, pico de gallo and charro beans. I skipped the margarita too, and opted for a good beer (not a fan of light domestics). It was still a high calorie meal but it was good, I didn't feel deprived, and didn't blow my diet. I worked out really hard beforehand, so I didn't even use all my calories. It's possible.
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