by Heather Russell

Created on: May 31, 2009   Last Updated: June 21, 2009

As far as fast food goes, Mexican can be one of the healthiest options out there. The cuisine tends to be based around foods in their most natural, least-processed forms; dishes feature fresh peppers, tomatoes, and corn, grilled and sauteed chicken and beef, and, of course, rice and beans.

However, as with any food, Mexican's inherent healthfulness does not give you carte blanche to indulge with abandon. However, pay attention to these three common Mexican food pitfalls and you'll be able to choose a healthy, tasty Mexican meal.

Pitfall #1: Fried foods.

Unfortunately, this category includes many savory appetizers like empanadas, fried plantains, and nachos. The good news is that Mexican menus offer a huge selection of healthy, delicious appetizer options.

Try a light ceviche (seafood "cooked" in citrus juices and flavored with onion and cilantro), a black bean and corn salsa (forgo the fried corn chips for baked tortilla chips), or a low-carb, low-fat chicken rojo.

When choosing an entre, select soft flour or corn tortillas in place of fried taco shells or tostadas, and pick black beans over refried beans for a heart-healthy alternative.

Pitfall #2: Cheese.

While many dishes list cheese as an essential ingredient, most Mexican entrees are just as tasty without it.

First, simply avoid enchiladas, as they are prepared swimming in melted cheese, and avoid the temptation to have your burrito smothered in "queso." In fact, ordering your burrito with no cheese at all reduces its saturated fat and cholesterol content.

Often fajitas and burritos come with side orders of salsa, sour cream, and a choice of beans. Ask your server to hold the sour cream and replace it with guacamole; avocados may be high in fat, but they provide monounsaturated "good" fats and have even been shown to reduce cholesterol.

Pitfall #3: Portion sizes.

You may have made some healthy choices in ordering your meal, but overeating is never a healthy behavior.

Be sure you make every calorie count. A half-cup of Spanish rice has almost the same number of calories and fat grams as a half-cup of black beans, but the beans provide six grams of fiber and seven of protein that will help you feel full.

Loading up your fajita with peppers and vegetables before adding a strip or two of steak will also help fill you up while keeping your fat and cholesterol intake at a reasonable level.

Remember, eating healthily does not have to mean eating boring; Mexican cuisine provides tons of flavor and variety, and with a little attention paid to your selections, it's the perfect choice for the health-conscious foodie!

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