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Get the recipe »

The Signature Beverage
Mexican food needs a sassy drink. Sweet and tart limeade is perfect (and adds an extra dose of vitamin C). If you want to give it some edge, add a shot of tequila for a lower-calorie margarita alternative — or opt for light Mexican beer and garnish it with a few extra lime wedges.
Recipe: Limeade

The Starter
Kick off the flavor fest with a simple salsa — there’s the tomato-y, jarred stuff, but our pick (from EatingWell) switches it up with corn and salsa. Avocados are high in healthy fat but also high in calories, so just use one. Mix in vitamin C-rich fresh tomatoes for extra acidity. Serve with baked tortilla chips or small portions of regular chips (about 5-7 chips per person). That way you’ll save room — and calories — for the main course.
Recipe: Avocado Corn Salsa

The Main Plate
Tequila isn’t just for shots, you know. The liquor also gives depth and flavor to chicken, pork and beef marinades. In the mood for grilling fish instead? Mahi mahi stands up well to spices and is firm enough to stay together on the grill. Whether you choose to serve chicken or fish, either work well with some rice or warm corn tortillas — topped with a fresh-and-tangy slaw made with jicama. If you haven’t tried jicama before, do it — the veggie is super crunchy, mildly sweet and has loads of fiber and vitamin C.

Recipes:
• Tequila Lime Chicken
• Grilled Mahi Mahi with Black Bean Salsa
• Cilantro Rice
• Jicama Cucumber Chile Slaw

A Sweet, Cooling Finish
Now that the weather is turning, cool desserts are back in style. Sorbets are often a better choice than ice cream and other high-fat sweets. Plus, icy fresh tangerine or pineapple are great for cleansing the palate after a fiery meal.

Recipes:
• Tangerine Sorbet
• Pineapple Coconut Sorbet

How can fast food be eco-friendly?
Chipotle strives to serve “Food with Integrity,” meaning better tasting, from better sources and better for the environment and the animals. Their chains offer naturally raised pork, chicken and beef, and about 25% of their pinto and black beans are organic. Chipotle recently began purchasing some of their produce from local farms, too (something I like to see!).

Nutrition info?
Chipotle’s website has ingredient lists and yummy pictures all over it, but I had a tough time finding the nutritional details. Finally, I Googled “Chipotle + Nutrition Info” and found this pdf hiding in their FAQs.

Order this
For any first timers, the menu can be a bit overwhelming because you create your own burrito, salad, fajita or taco. This is easy temptation to go overboard. For the base, go for a flour tortilla (taco) with 90 calories — as opposed to the burrito with 290 calories — or order your meal to split with a friend (Dana and I should have split a burrito, not had two).

Next, choose your fillings, but don’t go crazy! Stick to two or three healthy toppings. Start by choosing one protein such beef, pork or chicken. The pinto beans are flavored with bacon (so vegetarians and sodium-watchers, be mindful!); choose the black beans instead. Next, go for the lettuce, tomatillo green or red chili salsa or a fresh tomato salsa — they range from 15 to 40 calories a serving.

Not that
Just for kicks, I added up a burrito with pinto beans, chicken, red tomatillo salsa, sour cream and guacamole — here are the results: 910 calories and 40.5 grams fat. It’s no wonder those nutrition facts aren’t easily accessible!

Cheese, guacamole and sour cream are classic add-ons, but they’re also high calorie and high fat. If you’re splitting your meal, choose one of these toppings and ask them to go easy. Otherwise, skip it. By removing the sour cream and guac in the burrito above, I save 270 calories and 23 grams of fat.

For more information, check out Chipotle’s menu and their nutrition info.

Jonesing for some fajitas, enchiladas and a sweet margarita? Typical Mexican — and Tex-Mex — restaurants have a lot of flavorful menu choices, but they’re not always the lightest delights. Check out these tips before heading out to your favorite Mexican joint.

Chips & Dip
If you go to any Mexican restaurant worth it’s margarita salt, servers will greet you with fried tortilla chips and salsa (or cheese or guacamole if you upgrade) when seated. Although the thought of never-ending chips is tempting, just grab a small handful on your plate and go for the lighter dip — salsa. Also, don’t feel obligated to finish the chips that are on the table. You can always ask the waiter to take them away or not to refill them.

Skip the Crunchy Shells
Soft tortillas are baked, while the crunchy ones are fried. You don’t need to be a nutritionist to know that fried anything means more fat and calories so opt for soft. If you must have a crunchy taco, skip the tortilla chip appetizers (sorry, you can’t have it all!).

Customize Your Order
Many of the fajitas, tortillas, tacos and enchiladas come with pork, chicken or beef fillings. These dishes typically also come with many toppings on the side — cheese, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, rice and beans. The first three are the most calorie-dense, and it’s wise to hold back on a few (or all).

Beans can be deceiving. Black beans are very healthy — loaded with fiber, high in protein and low in fat — but many refried beans are cooked using lard and Mexican cheese blends or pork. Instead, try pinto beans that have the same nutritional benefits without all the added fat.

Dishes to Avoid
Although delicious, the following dishes are typically deep fried and you should avoid them (or share them on special occasions): chimichangas, taquitoes, chalupas and chile relleno. If you aren’t sure if something’s fried, ask your server.

And to help, here’s a quick rundown:
• Chimichanga: Deep-fried burrito
• Taquitoes: Small, fried tortillas filled with chicken or beef
• Chalupas: Deep-fried dough filled with chicken or meat
• Chile relleno: Literally means “stuffed pepper,” which are filled with various goodies (i.e. meat, cheese, pork) and then fried

Many more traditional Mexican restaurants feature regional entrees that don’t involve frying at all — spiced-up chicken and grilled seafood dishes are usually available.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
Some Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants now offer healthier fare such as brown rice, whole wheat tortillas and low-fat cheeses. You may even find that the sides can be replaced with steamed veggies or a fresh salad — just be sure to order the dressing on the side.

Beer or Margarita?
I always look forward to margaritas when dining at Mexican restaurants. Unless you have enough people at the table, stick to a single glass and not a pitcher. Margaritas have tons of added sugar from the mixes and can have a few hundred calories, so stick to one.

A better option may be a Mexican beer such as Corona or Dos Equis, which won’t have the added sugars. Ask for Corona Light for a lower-calorie option. If you’re looking for a more authentic experience, order a Michelada.

TELL US: Do you have any favorite, lighter Mexican favorites — traditional or Americanized?