TexMex-related stories
How Many Calories ... in Quesadillas?
Quesadillas are a standby meal for many people -- no matter where you get them, they're typically fairly satisfying and decent tasting. After all, how can you go wrong with some cheese and perhaps a bit of meat and vegetables baked between tortillas? Even if the quesadilla is bland, the salsa and sour cream that comes with it is sure to spice things up. Really, It's a fairly fool-proof dish.
But taste isn't everything, especially if you're watching what you eat. And as a rule of thumb, anything that lists cheese as it's main ingredient is probably not the best choice calorie-wise. But how bad are quesadillas? I picked a fairly average-sounding dish -- the Fajita Steak Quesadillas with guacamole from Chili's -- and did a bit of investigating. What did I find? Cast your vote:
But taste isn't everything, especially if you're watching what you eat. And as a rule of thumb, anything that lists cheese as it's main ingredient is probably not the best choice calorie-wise. But how bad are quesadillas? I picked a fairly average-sounding dish -- the Fajita Steak Quesadillas with guacamole from Chili's -- and did a bit of investigating. What did I find? Cast your vote:
How Many Calories ... in a Chicken Fajita Quesadilla from Chili's?
I love Tex Mex food, especially when it's loaded with my favourite ingredient: Cheese. But cheese isn't the healthiest thing out -- it's quite calorie-dense and it's loaded with fat -- so typically it's a diet no-no. But let's say you're craving some Tex Mex-style food so you head to the nearest chain establishment, say ... Chili's. There are a lot of menu items that sound like they could be healthy-ish and you end up going with something that doesn't look too bad -- a serving of the Chicken Fajita Quesadilla. Fajitas on their own are pretty good for you -- they're basically veggies and some kind of meat served sizzling hot with tortillas, right? And while quesadillas aren't exactly low-cal, you're going to treat yourself tonight. Just how many calories will this meal set you back?
A) 560 cal, 15 g of fat
B) 880 cal, 32 g of fat
C) 1000 cal, 67 g of fat
D) 1830 cal, 95 g of fat
A) 560 cal, 15 g of fat
B) 880 cal, 32 g of fat
C) 1000 cal, 67 g of fat
D) 1830 cal, 95 g of fat
Healthy eating tip: Skip the tortilla when eating Mexican
I love Mexican. Looooooooooooove it. But it's usually considered a diet no-no. I guess tortillas, re-fried beans, cheese and sour cream aren't the best for the waistline. But the key to healthy long-term changes is finding ways to enjoy the things you love without the guilt.
So if it's Mexican you love, here are some suggestions: Get your fix in salad form, without the tortilla or taco shell. Trade re-fried beans for regular beans (like black beans). Use low-fat cheese and sour cream in moderation, and choose lean protein sources, like chicken breast. I cook mine with Tex Mex spice and it's delicious.
Want more? Check out this recipe from Self Magazine.
So if it's Mexican you love, here are some suggestions: Get your fix in salad form, without the tortilla or taco shell. Trade re-fried beans for regular beans (like black beans). Use low-fat cheese and sour cream in moderation, and choose lean protein sources, like chicken breast. I cook mine with Tex Mex spice and it's delicious.
Want more? Check out this recipe from Self Magazine.
