Cinco guilt-free recipes for your fiesta
Gearing up for a Cinco de Mayo celebration? This year, add a new twist to your fiesta and try some unconventional recipes that will save you some calories and maximize the fun.
Gearing up for a Cinco de Mayo celebration? This year, add a new twist to your fiesta and try some unconventional recipes that will save you some calories and maximize the fun.
Instead of consuming one too many nachos and margaritas, try a lighter take on traditional Mexican fare that are guilt-free as you're getting ready for bikini season.
These lighter versions of Mexican food favorites are full of flavor and will get you in the spirit of the holiday that celebrates Mexico's victory at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
1. Skinny chicken fajitas
These sizzling fajitas have tasty and lean ingredients: strips of chicken breast, bell peppers, and onions. Enjoy in a reduced-carb whole wheat tortilla with reduced fat sour cream and cheese for a fraction of the calories you would consume in a restaurant!
Per serving: 299 calories, 10.5g fat, 27g carbohydrates, 39g protein, 15.5g fiber
2. Chicken enchilada stuffed zucchini boats
You won't even miss the tortillas in these lightened-up enchiladas. The zucchinis in this recipe are stuffed with shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, cheese, and scallions for a tasty, low-calorie (116 per serving!) version.
Per serving: 116 calories, 3.5g fat, 11g carbohydrates, 12g protein, 3g fiber
3. Skinny guacamole
Similar to the enchilada recipe, zucchini is substituted here as well. Zucchini replaces half of the high-calorie avocado to lower both the calories and fat. Plus, it only takes 20 minutes to make. Serve with veggies for an extra nutritional boost.
Per serving: 96 calories, 8g fat, 8g carbohydrates, 2g protein, 4g fiber
4. Corn and black bean quinoa salad
This vegetarian salad is filled with fiber-rich ingredients such as black beans, quinoa, avocado, and corn. The poblano peppers add some spiciness to the meal.
Per serving: 256 calories, 14g fat, 28g carbohydrates, 8g protein, 7g fiber
5. Skinny buffalo burger quesadillas
These burger quesadillas call for 100 percent lean grass-fed ground buffalo, reduced-fat cheddar jack cheese and whole-wheat tortillas. This recipe was inspired by the quesadilla burger at Apple Bees, but this guilt-free version slashes the fat and carbs tremendously with its healthier ingredients.
Per serving: 316.3 calories, 13.8g fat, 16.9g carbohydrates, 33.8g protein, 1g fiber