Mexican food is a cuisine that features a variety of flavorful dishes like enchiladas, huevos rancheros, tamales, and many more. When you're trying to stick to healthier food options, the truth is that Mexican food also includes an extensive selection of ingredients and dishes sure to satisfy your appetite as well as your healthy eating efforts. From choosing lean proteins and vegetables to carefully planning out your portion sizes, here are a few ways to choose nutritious options during your next visit to a Mexican restaurant.

How to Choose Healthy Mexican Food Options

1. Make Healthy Menu Selections

Before ordering, carefully examine the menu to find the healthiest dishes and substitutions available. For example, look for leaner grilled entrées and lower-fat foods such as ceviche made with fresh fish or baked tamales rather than fatty meats such as beef or pork. Refried beans are a classic element in Mexican food, but most restaurants will substitute them with heart-healthy black beans.

Fresh salsa is made from healthy vegetables including tomatoes, garlic, onions, and herbs. Menudo, a classic Mexican stew, contains ingredients like beef tripe, chile peppers, and garlie, offering significant amounts of lean protein and calcium.

2. Choose Light Appetizers

Mexican appetizers can often include generous portions of rich queso and tortilla chips. While these are satisfying, they can lead you to feel full more quickly than you might think. If you’re watching your calorie and sodium intake, order salads made with fresh vegetables and grilled fish or soups like tortilla soup without cheese or tortilla strips. These are just as substantial as cheese and chips, but contain fewer calories by weight and will help you save room for your main course.

3. Order Corn Tortillas

Flour tortillas are popular in Tex-Mex food and throughout the rest of North America. However, the enriched white flour and lard or shortening used to prepare them result in larger amounts of carbohydrates, sugars, and fats than traditional corn tortillas. Besides being part of a more authentic Mexican dining experience, corn tortillas are also an excellent source of fiber, which benefits healthy digestion, and magnesium, which contributes to heart, brain, and muscle health.

If you’re ready to include satisfying Mexican food in your healthy eating plan, place an order with Cruzitos Cocina Mexicana in Plano, TX. The experienced chefs at this local Mexican eatery use the freshest ingredients and traditional recipes to prepare flavorful dishes including salads, soups, burritos, tortas, and more. They’re happy to substitute ingredients to suit your dietary needs and preferences, and their friendly staff can recommend tasty, lean dining options. Call them at (469) 562-4071 to place a to-go order, or browse their menu online.