For years, I really struggled to get my family together, so when we were all in the same place for the holidays, I realized that I wanted to have a nice family dinner. I talked with everyone about what they wanted to bring, and then I decided to make a really special entree for everyone. I made my grandmother's roasted chicken and potatoes, and they all loved the approach to a family meal. I know how much food can bring people together, so I've made this blog all about holiday food and cooking. Read on to discover great tips about making the holidays fun with the right meals.
Tips For Eating At A Mexican Restaurant When You Follow A Low-Carb Diet
In this day and age, many people rely on following a low-carb diet for weight loss purposes or to help control different medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease. When many people think of Mexican food, they picture burritos, nachos, and quesadillas, so it is not uncommon for a person who is following a low-carb diet to assume that dining at a Mexican food restaurant is not the best option. In reality, there are a number of delicious Mexican dishes that are very low-carb and incredibly flavorful due to the spices and sauces used in Mexican cuisine. If you're following a low-carb diet, use the following tips when dining at a Mexican restaurant.
Say No to Chips
Many Mexican restaurants offer complimentary tortilla chips and salsa for customers to enjoy while their meals are being prepared. When you're on a low-carb diet, it is important to avoid the tortilla chips. Instead of snacking on chips and salsa, consider ordering an appetizer portion of guacamole and enjoy it with raw vegetables, such as cucumbers or bell peppers. In addition to being tasty, the avocados in the guacamole are an excellent source of healthy fats and nutrients.
Focus on Grilled Meats
Not all Mexican dishes come wrapped in a carb-loaded tortilla—there are a number of meals where the main focus is flavorful grilled meats that are marinated before being cooked. When you're reviewing the menu at a Mexican restaurant, look for dishes like carne asada, which is grilled marinated steak, or pollo asado, a delicious grilled chicken dish. Another option is to order steak or chicken fajitas, but ask for the tortillas to be left off your order. Instead of rice and beans for side dishes, request grilled or sauteed vegetables.
Explore Seafood Options
While many people associate tortillas, cheese, rice, and beans with Mexican food, Mexico actually has an amazing array of seafood dishes, many of which are very low-carb. If you're looking for a low-carb appetizer, consider ordering ceviche, a mixture of seafood marinated in citrus juice, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and spices. If you're interested in eating a spicy low-carb meal, you may want to order camarones a la diabla, which is fresh shrimp smothered in a chile sauce. Another well-known Mexican seafood dish that also happens to be low-carb is snapper Veracruz. This dish typically consists of grilled red snapper that is covered in a tomato-based sauce that contains olives, chiles, and capers.
For more information, visit Mexican restaurants like El Molinito Restaurant & Catering.