daily dish Eating South of the Border
Eating South of the Border
If you've got a date with Mexican food, have no fear. Even this carbohydrate-rich cuisine is adaptable to the South Beach Diet. Here are some ways to lighten your load and still enjoy Mexican food:
Try your favorite grilled meats as fajitas, tostadas, or soft tacos, with tortillas on the side. (No tortillas at all in Phase 1. In Phase 2, ask if they offer whole-wheat tortillas.)
Whole black or pinto (red) beans are fine, but rice is a killer. Refried beans are traditionally made with lard, so unless you know how they're prepared, best to avoid them.
Guacamole, sour cream, cheese, and salsa can turn an otherwise healthy meal into a gut buster. Fresh homemade salsa is the best (bottled salsas often contain sugar), followed by the heart-healthy avocado fat used to make guacamole. The sour cream and cheeses probably aren't the low- or nonfat variety so skip them. Other sauces, such as enchilada and tomatillo sauces are OK. Again, check for sugar.
A basket of chips is the equivalent of a basket of bread, so don't overindulge.
Skip the beer and margaritas. Choose water or sugar-free, caffeine-free sodas instead.
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Had two bowls of very healthy chili today, Rowan. (darned stuff has given me terrible gas, though...)
