Best Mexican Food To Eat On Weight Watchers

Best Mexican Food To Eat On Weight Watchers

Mexican Fiesta

You don't need a burrito the size of your head to enjoy a Mexican feast. Use our interactive tool to stay happy in the hacienda.

When you're watching your weight, the prospect of going to a Mexican restaurant can seem more frustrating than fiesta. First you have to face a never-ending basket of deep-fried tortilla chips. Then there's the menu, full of land mines like chimichangas (deep-fried burritos) and one of the unhealthiest "salads" ever dreamed up by man, served up in a deep-fried edible bowl. They even fry innocent beans low in PointsPlus ® values. Add a couple of judgment-clouding margaritas to the mix, and it's easy to see why temptation (and sour cream) can easily win out over reason.

Of course, you don't want to go out for a delicious meal and not order what you want just because it's not the healthiest option. "If you know you're going to a Mexican restaurant, the point is to plan ahead and account for it," says WeightWatchers.com nutritionist Leslie Fink, MS, RD.

To help you order sensibly, keep these strategies in mind as you browse the menu:

Resist the chips! As soon as you sit down, odds are you'll be faced with an overflowing basket of warm, crisp, tortilla chips. Mmmmm…but just 12 of these will set you back about 4 PointsPlus values — and who stops after just a handful? To help you limit your intake, "don't go out hungry," advises Fink. "Or chew a piece of gum before the meal to make them less appealing." If you must munch, just be mindful and count every single chip — they can add up quickly.

Chef's tip : Mary Sue Milliken, chef and co-owner (with Susan Feniger) of the Border Grill restaurants in California and Las Vegas, suggests asking for warm corn tortillas instead of chips: "They have that toasted corn flavor without the fat, and you can tear off pieces to enjoy with salsa." (Two 6" corn tortillas have a PointsPlus value of 2.)

Pay attention to portion size. An entrée may be enough food to feed two (or even three) people. Save calories — and money — by splitting the meal with someone or ordering an appetizer portion instead. Another option is to ask for a couple of à la carte tacos (your best bet: shrimp or chicken in a soft tortilla) instead of a full meal with all the side dishes.

Don't be veggie-shy. Swap rice and refried beans for a helping of grilled peppers and onions or a side salad (undressed), or even a side order of plain old black beans. Higher-end restaurants may even be willing to serve fresh vegetables instead of chips with the salsa, if you ask. If it's a salad you crave, skip the edible tortilla bowl and save yourself 8 PointsPlus values right there.

Focus on fresh and flavorful. "Authentic Mexican cuisine is very produce-heavy," says Border Grill's Feniger. "At our restaurants, we don't use a ton of cheese or cream." Milliken agrees: "The food is packed with potent flavors, so you don't need added fat to make it taste good." They both suggest seeking out dishes that feature meats and fish prepared simply with lots of vegetables, herbs and spices.

Speak up if you have special requests. Ask for salsa or pico de gallo instead of an oily salad dressing or cheese sauce. Order your fajitas with only one tortilla so you can save PointsPlus values and enjoy the rest of the filling on its own. Find out if the server can bring sour cream and guacamole out on teaspoons instead of in a bowl or cup. All these little changes together will save you a lot of fat and calories.

Sip smarter. Be wary of frozen drinks, which are packed with sugar — and calories. A glass of sangria ( PointsPlus value of 3) is a better option than a margarita, which has a PointsPlus value of 9.

Don't let dessert be your downfall. So you've made it through the meal and you want a little treat. Fried ice cream, a popular dessert option at some chain Mexican restaurants (although it's not truly a traditional Mexican sweet) will set you back a whopping 12 PointsPlus values. Flan, a creamy custard with caramel sauce, also packs a hefty punch of 9 PointsPlus values per serving. Instead, consider ordering a couple of sopaipillas — fried dough sprinkled with sugar — they have a surprisingly low PointsPlus value of 3 for two small pieces. Opt for honey instead of chocolate sauce for dipping, and savor the sweet taste of restraint.

Best Mexican Food To Eat On Weight Watchers

Source: https://www.weightwatchers.com/templates/print.aspx?PageId=1344941&PrintFlag=yes&previewDate=12/18/2017