Thursday, January 29, 2009

Fiesta of Flavors


Some like it hot and, according to 2009 trend watchers even more diners are joining the spicy food fan club. That means Mexican food is poised for even greater popularity. That’s good news for health-conscious flavor-seekers who are trying to eat less fat and calories because more Mexican menus and recipes are getting their zing from zesty calorie-free ingredients such as garlic, hot peppers, smoked chiles, fresh salsas, dried spices, tangy limes and fragrant herbs such as cilantro. While Tex-Mex dishes first attracted many of us to Mexican flavors with their liberal use of high-fat ingredients such as melted cheese, fried tortillas and gobs of sour cream, the latest taste trend is closer to the healthier, more traditional cuisines south of border.
Lighter Mexican on the Menu
Rosa Mexicana restaurant, located in Atlantic Station, has an impressive selection of healthier menu choices including Alambre de Camarones – Grilled shrimp marinated in garlic vinaigrette with onions, tomatoes, serrano peppers and Yucatan pico de gallo. They’ll even bring you raw jicama crudités instead of fried tortilla chips to enjoy with guacamole made fresh to order tableside. Jicama is a crunchy root vegetable also called the Mexican potato but tastes more like an apple. It’s low in calories (46 calories per cup and high in fiber (6 grams per cup). Compare that to a bowl full of fried tortilla chips at 20 calories per chip!!
Uncle Julio’s Mexican restaurant group, headquartered in Texas, has taken their healthy choices so seriously, they even teamed with a hospital in Dallas to create dietitian approved heart-healthy menu items. I like to customize a healthy meal at Uncle Julio’s by ordering the shrimp ceviche appetizer and three freshly made tortillas on the side. I wrap the shrimp in the tortillas, add some pica de gallo (chopped tomato, onion, garlic, jalapeno and cilantro) and a squeeze of lime. Skip the margaritas at 300 calories for a 6 ounce drink and choose a 12 ounce Tecate or Dos Equis beer at 150 calories or light beer at 100 calories. I’m happy to see other menu improvements around town, too. Tin Lizzy’s offers whole wheat tortillas and three different kinds of freshly made salsas.
Chipotle Mexican Grill with outlets nationwide has a corporate “Food with Integrity” program which includes serving naturally raised pork, chicken and beef as well as cheese and sour cream from dairies where cows are not treated with bovine growth hormone (rBGH). Dietitian’s note: this doesn’t mean these ingredients have any fewer calories.


Fiesta time
Ceviche- fish or shrimp marinated in citrus
Gazpacho- cold tomato, pepper and cucumber soup. Full of Vitamin C and beta carotene and only 60 calories a cup.
Fajitas: grilled beef, chicken or shrimp with peppers and onions; you control how much cheese or sour cream to put on each tortilla
Fish tacos: Southern California invention -ask for grilled fish, often served with tasty slaw
Grilled fish: look for “asada” on the menu which means grilled. Ask for fresh lime and salsas
Mexican Rice: flavorful side dish; 1/2 cup contains 150 calories
Beans: Choose pinto beans or black beans instead of refried beans (they usually have lard thrown in for flavor).
Enchiladas, burritos and tamales- often baked not fried. Watch portion size and limit cheese and sour cream toppings.
Fiesta of Flavors: Top everything with a healthy helping of shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, green onions, roasted bell peppers and pour on the salsa.
Tortilla Tip: Corn tortillas have 40 fewer calories compared to flour tortillas. Choose whole wheat tortillas when possible.

Border Control
Con Queso: Count 50 calories with every tablespoon of added cheese.
Chimichangas: fried flour tortilla stuffed with beef, chicken, beans or cheese
Chili Rellenos: chili peppers stuffed, battered and fried
Flauta: beef- or chicken-filled fried tortillas, often covered in creamy sauce
Nachos supreme: Mexican “Biggie” sizing; can be as high as 800 calories, with 65 grams of fat.
Taco salad: Sure, there’s some lettuce in there, but it’s mostly meat, cheese, sour cream and guacamole in a fried tortilla shaped like a bowl (Ole! The bowl alone adds over 400 calories!)
Refried beans: Due to added lard count 500 calories per cup.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Simply desire to say your article is as amazing. The clarity in your publish is simply great
and that i can assume you are a professional in this subject.

Well along with your permission allow me to seize your feed to keep up to date with drawing
close post. Thank you 1,000,000 and please carry on the gratifying work.



Here is my webpage - Order Raspberry Ketone Plus

Anonymous said...

Every weekend i used to visit this web site, because
i wish for enjoyment, since this this site conations genuinely
good funny material too.

Feel free to surf to my blog - Raspberry ketone Plus Reviews

Anonymous said...

Its such as you learn my thoughts! You appear to
understand a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you simply can do with a few percent to force the message house
a little bit, but other than that, this is excellent blog.
A great read. I will definitely be back.

my webpage ... Cambogia trim review

Anonymous said...

Greetings! Very helpful advice within this article!
It's the little changes that produce the greatest changes. Thanks for sharing!

my weblog: Vydox

Anonymous said...

Hello! I could have sworn I've visited your blog before but after looking at some of the articles I realized it's new to me.
Nonetheless, I'm certainly pleased I found it and I'll be bookmarking it
and checking back often!

Feel free to visit my blog post - Ultra Slim Patch Diet

Anonymous said...

It's remarkable to pay a visit this site and reading the views of all mates about this paragraph, while I am also zealous of getting experience.

Here is my web page; Veluminous Anti Aging

Anonymous said...

Quality posts is the secret to interest the visitors to pay a quick visit the site, that's what this web site is providing.

My blog post ... Nuva CLeanse Review

Anonymous said...

Hi there to all, the contents existing at this web site are really amazing for people experience, well, keep up the good work fellows.


my web page - Wrinkle Cream

Anonymous said...

That is a really good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Short but very precise information… Many thanks for sharing this one.
A must read article!

Also visit my homepage: Buy Raspberry Ketone

Anonymous said...

The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a 30 foot drop, just so she
can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views.
I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!


My web site Buy Elevate GF

Anonymous said...

Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this
article and also the rest of the website is also very good.


My page: Test Force Muscle Testosterone Booster

Anonymous said...

Great info. Lucky me I found your site by accident (stumbleupon).
I've bookmarked it for later!

Also visit my weblog: Order Raspberry Ketone Plus

Anonymous said...

Hey there! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so
I came to look it over. I'm definitely enjoying the information. I'm bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
Terrific blog and fantastic design and style.

Feel free to visit my web page: Automated pay day

Anonymous said...

Excellent article. I definitely appreciate this site. Stick with it!


Here is my site :: White Kidney Bean

Anonymous said...

Outstanding story there. What happened after? Thanks!

my website: increasing penis Size

Anonymous said...

Awesome issues here. I'm very glad to see your article. Thanks so much and I'm looking forward to contact you.
Will you please drop me a e-mail?

Feel free to visit my web-site: how to increase penis length

Anonymous said...

Just want to say your article is as astounding.
The clearness in your submit is simply great and
that i could suppose you are knowledgeable on
this subject. Well along with your permission let
me to clutch your feed to stay updated with impending
post. Thanks one million and please continue the gratifying work.


Also visit my web page :: Order Raspberry Ketone Plus