Mexican cuisine is known for its rich flavor. The high spiciness of this cuisine makes it a favorite amongst those who love spicy food. If you want to master the art of making Mexican dishes at home but with a healthier twist, you just need to remember a few points to make it like a pro.
Here are the top 9 tips for making healthy Mexican food at home:
Use slow cooking technique
Mexican cuisine is popular because of its flavor. And this flavor is not just due to the use of specific ingredients but also for the cooking techniques. One such cooking method is slow cooking, which enhances the flavor of the dish. Slowly cooked meat not only tastes better but allows the fats to be separated and discarded. So, you can enjoy some healthy dishes with less fat but high flavor.
Use more vegetables
Vegetables are extremely healthy as it fulfills your requirement for vitamins and nutrients. So, add more vegetables to your Mexican dishes for a healthier dish. Load your Mexican rice or tacos with vegetables for a satisfying and healthy meal.
Include beans
Beans are an integral part of the diet in Mexico. Be it chickpeas, black beans, or lentils, Mexicans love their beans. It is a great source of protein. You can simply boil them, bake them or stir fry them and add to your meal for a protein-packed meal.
Add healthy seeds
Apart from beans, Mexican dishes also use a lot of seeds. Seeds like pumpkin seeds and amaranth are a rich source of minerals and healthy oils. So, simply toss some to your Mexican salads or other dishes to make it healthier.
Grill your salsas
Salsa gets its amazing flavor, thanks to the grilling of the onion, tomato, and chili. Charring it also lends that smoky flavor to the salsa. And, the best part is that salsa is prepared with almost no oil, so you can indulge in a healthy Mexican salsa without guilt along with some slow-cooked meat or baked nachos.
Pack the heat
Chilies are an integral part of Mexican cuisine. If you are aiming to lose those extra pounds, add more chilies to your diet as it will help you lose weight.
Spice it up
Mexican food calls for the use of several spices, which adds flavor to the dishes. Some of the most common spices used in Mexican dishes include oregano, clove, and cinnamon. Spices are healthy as it offers a wide range of health benefits and the added flavors increase satiety, which in turn reduces your urge to reach out for a snack.
Agave not white sugar
Unlike white sugar which is conventionally used, agave has a lower GI and is a healthier sweetener. Mexicans use agave syrup to sweeten their desserts like pudding. They also use it in place of white sugar in their tea or coffee.
And finally, dark chocolate
To finish off your meal, consider dark chocolate which has a higher percentage of cocoa and lesser sugar is actually good for health. It is also rich in flavor and will satisfy your cravings for something sweet, but at the same time, it will also restrict you from binging on chocolates.
