Characterized By:

Huge portions, at least in the United States. If you’re not careful, you can easily consume a full day’s worth of calories in a single meal. Dishes are often fried with lard and topped with cheese. Most dishes are combined with several other items to create large platters.


Common Ingredients:

Mexican cuisine is loaded with potential calorie landmines, from cheese and sour cream to crispy tortilla shells and guacamole. Staples include great sources of complex carbohydrates and protein like rice and beans, along with tomatoes, fresh fish, corn, beef and poultry.


Hidden Dangers:

• Many restaurants still fix their refried beans with lard.
• Guacamole is usually very high in calories.
• Taco salads can carry more than 1,000 calories. Most of the ingredients inside the salad are usually fine, but extra condiments, cheese, beef and a calorie-laden tortilla shell can sabotage your meal.
• Avoid deep-fried entrees like Chile Rellenos, Chimichangas, and Flautas.
• Cheese Quesadilla. 900 cals
• The fish in Fish Tacos is usually breaded and fried. Try to get grilled instead.
• Paella a la Valenciana. 900 cals, 42g fat
• Refried Beans (Frijoles). 640 cals per cup
• Nachos. 800 cals and as much as 65g fat
• Cheese Enchiladas. 980 cals
• Chicken Tostada. 935 cals

Healthy Finds:

• Fajitas (stir-fried meat and lots of veggies, with steamed tortillas). Chicken Fajitas bring just 200 cals and 7g fat.
• Look for baked dishes, like enchiladas, burritos and tamales. Make sure to order with light or no cheese.
• Gazpacho is a cold tomato soup with green peppers and cucumber, full of vitamin C and beta carotene. 60 cals, 0g fat
• Tortilla Soup, 240 cals
• Ceviche (fish or shrimp cocktail marinated in citrus, sometimes with tomato and avocado)
• Black Bean Soup, 180 cals, 5g fat
• Chile Verde (pork simmered with veggies and green chiles)
• Serviche, 150 cals, 5g fat
• Shrimp Taco, 320 cals, 19g fat
• Mole Sauce
• Clams Marinera, 330 cals, 16g fat
• Arroz Con Polo (chicken with rice)
• Arroz Abanda (fish with rice), 340 cals, 8g fat
• Salsa. Packed with vitamins A and C, fat-free and low in calories.