Dining Out: Mexican Cuisine

Who the heck put corn tortilla in the "Skip That" column??? I guess they don't have Celiac disease or gluten-intoleranc
e. But, even if they don't have those issues, the corn tortilla has survived for centuries as the way Mexicans initially ate. Wheat tortillas have only recently been introduced--and not necessarily for the better. I think something should only be in the "skip that" column if it is felt they harm your health. - 6/12/2013 7:55:40 AM

Thanks for posting this article! My husband and I will be taking a trip to the southwest this summer and I plan on printing this guide (especially for Mexican cuisine) and taking it with me to help me stay on track since I won't have access to internet let alone Sparkpeople. - 4/7/2013 10:34:05 AM

I had noticed as I made more of an effort to eat healthier, my trips to my favorite Mexican restaurant had declined. Now I see why. My favorite dish is called quesadilla supreme. It's pretty healthy, except it's loaded with guacomole and white American cheese. I think I need to switch to a chicken fajita. - 1/2/2013 7:03:43 AM

I think that corn tortillas don't deserve to be in the watch out column, especially when compared to some whole wheat tortillas. Corn tortillas don't have added fat, where most wheat flour tortillas do, unless you buy ones specifically that don't. Also corn tortillas have the corn germ ground up with the flour. - 4/9/2012 9:25:16 PM

My boyfriend and I go to Mexican restaurants a lot, and this article was very helpful to me. How on earth do they fit 900 calories into a quesadilla?? And Giant-Steps, that was a great suggestion about spinach enchiladas.

One thing the article says is safe to order is fajitas, but there are a couple of things I would suggest about that. First, when you order fajitas, ask for corn tortillas as opposed to flour tortillas. Corn tortillas are usually whole grain, smaller, and have less calories and most Mexican restaurants have them, you just have to ask.

Also, when you get fajitas ask for no butter. Apparently, after the fajitas are cooked the cooks usually melt a bunch of butter on top so it's shiny and sizzles well on the plate. You won't miss the butter and it makes the meal a little healthier. - 5/18/2011 9:31:19 AM

Ate Mexican for both Lunch and Dinner for my birthday... I was taken out to lunch and it was my choice, but dinner was not. So, for lunch I had Pork Carnitas, rice, 1/4 c. guacamole with diced tomato, maybe a 1/4 c beans, lettuce and diced tomato with ONE homemade tortilla. Kept the calories and fat down.
Dinner, since I had already eaten a substantial meal, opted for Soupa de Albondigas. So delish... lots of huge chunks of zucchini, a few chunks of potato and carrot. It was a bit spicy but so good. Loaded with meatballs, but only ate four... they were a bit larger than I would expect for a soup. Started passing around the extra albondigas... there were 8 in the bowl. Hot tea, no calorie laden drinks. I did endulge in the homemade tortilla chips and salsa... Needed the heat from the salsa to help kill the cold that just does not want to let go. Everyone I know has this nasty cold. - 12/18/2010 10:00:30 AM

Maybe I spend too much time traveling in Mexico, but I found this article to be rather lacking. I'd have to say the first problem is how Mexican food has been modified within North America, most Mexican restaurants offer popularized dishes that only resemble what you get in Mexico. For instance, cheese! It is not as ubiquitous as appears in restaurants up here!
Some specific problems I had with the articles were the 'watch for' words... yes, verde means green, picante means spicy (not always red though...)... WHY should anyone watch for them?
AND!!! Tamales. Low fat? Hmmm... maybe sometimes but many are made with LARD. I love tamales but enjoy sparingly. - 9/14/2010 1:04:08 PM

Going out for Mexican with friends tonight and this article was very helpful!! - 5/20/2010 6:05:56 PM

I pulled this article up before I run out the door for a water fitness class celebration. We are doing Mexican and now I know my SMART choices! Thanks SparkPeople!!!! Luv Ya! - 3/17/2010 5:03:42 PM

Hopefully, the artical will help me be more prepared the next time my family wants to go to Don Pablos. Sodium is a real issue in most Spanish/Mexican foods. I like the foods but try to stay away from these types of foods. - 2/9/2010 12:32:29 PM

Going out for Mexican with work group. This was extremely helpful. I feel I can make a better decision without annoying everyone with my diet questions! - 1/8/2010 2:49:19 PM

I believe you meant "Arroz con POLLO (chicken)", not "arroz con polo".

Most Mexican restaurants offer some kind of whole beans, as opposed to the calorie and lard ridden refried beans.... and they will gladly substitute them usually. I'm talking from deep south central Texas where good Mexican restaurants are everywhere.

Ask if they have any "whole beans" alternatives. If you ask for "plain" beans you may get just that, unseasoned and unappealing, but they will often have a delicious whole bean bean pot simmering somewhere. Taco Cabana, and others, call theirs "Borracho Beans", or drunken beans (probably has beer in the simmering liquid) - 1/2/2010 10:10:51 AM

I'm having lunch today with a friend and this is great help! Thanks. - 9/11/2009 11:21:37 AM

My husband is hispanic and we eat at numerous hispanic restaurants. This will be a great article to print out and keep in my wallet for ideas of what to order. Thanks! - 1/2/2009 3:55:32 PM

Very helpful article. My favourite is Mexican food, and it can be a real struggle to feel like I'm eating right when I have my occasional "splurge". Sigh.... - 10/20/2008 11:49:49 AM