When Mexican cuisine comes to mind, many think of heavy, calorie-laden food. Don’t let this year’s Cinco de Mayo weigh you down! Whether you’re throwing a party or cooking a Mexican-themed meal for dinner, Cinco de Mayo recipes can be flavorful and crowd-pleasing!
Click on Nutrify’s recipe tab for some delicious, lighter Mexican inspired recipes including Heart-Healthy Guacamole, a Black Bean Whole Grain Burrito, Pineapple Salsa and a delightful Sparkling Raspberry Margarita!
Use these tips to make this year’s Cinco de Mayo a healthy one!
- Skip the chips. Instead, try cut up celery sticks, cucumbers, sliced peppers, jicama or carrots. If you need chips for your salsa or guacamole, choose ones that are baked and whole grain.
- Hold the high calorie, high fat sour cream and cheese and opt for salsa instead. It makes an excellent and tasty substitute on your burritos and fajitas. It’s low in fat and calories, plus, you’ll have the added benefit of heart healthy lycopenes from the tomatoes.
- Choose corn tortillas over flour for an extra boost of fiber- corn is actually a whole grain!
- Fill your plate with freshly grilled and raw vegetables to boost your antioxidant and fiber intake.
- Use spices for flavoring like cumin, garlic, onions, lemon, lime, chili powder, and oregano to
flavor your food. They provide tons of flavor without adding unnecessary calories.
- Choose grilled chicken breast or fish whenever possible. It will provide a lean source of protein at your meal.
- Watch out for the specialty Mexican alcoholic drinaks. Most are loaded with sugar and calories and are not a good choice- drink a light beer instead.
