3 Temptations to Avoid for a Healthy Cinco de Mayo!

Eating healthier and staying within calorie goals while still enjoying some of your favorite local Mexican food is possible. You don’t have to leave the table on Cinco de Mayo feeling stuffed or even sick.

by Nutritionist Blogger, Jeni Tackett, RD, LD

The Quad Cities is home to fantastic Mexican restaurants.

Eating healthier and staying within calorie goals while still enjoying some of your favorite local Mexican food is possible.  You don’t have to leave the table on Cinco de Mayo feeling stuffed or even sick.

But you will have to navigate some tough obstacles!

The Chip and Salsa Basket

Any time you are given a bottomless high fat snack when you arrive at a restaurant, you are being tested.

To avoid this mindless eating trap, ask for a small plate and count out 5-10 chips (75-150 calories) to dip in the salsa.

The Alcohol 

Alcohol acts as a double whammy. Not only does it contain calories (one 8 oz. Margarita packs 250 calories, and a regular beer is 145 calories), it increases your appetite!

In fact, failure to reduce food intake in response to energy from alcohol makes moderate alcohol consumption a risk factor for obesity.

The Platter

Mexican restaurants typically serve 3 of something (tacos, tostados, enchiladas) with beans and rice.  These meals add up to over a 1,000 calories and lots of fat!

Order just 1-2 tacos and beans or rice but not both.

And if you do order an entire entrée, ask for a take home container when you get the meal and save at least 1/2 for a meal the next day before you take a single bite.

You can still reach your nutrition goals when you eat at a Mexican restaurant, but you need to be savvy and avoid the temptations along the way!