I'm a big fan of Mexican food, but not a fan of all the fat that usually goes along with it. That doesn't hold me back from enjoying it whenever I want, though. I just order or make each dish in a much smarter and healthier way.

Homemade Tortilla Chips are a staple item and the great news is, they're painfully easy to make. I whip up a batch quickly and serve them with salsa (which is naturally nonfat) or my Fat Free Mexican O-Layered Dip.

Both recipes are available in my online recipe book at Fitzness.com, and I hope you'll give them a try. Other fun toppings to add to your chips are lean grilled meat, veggies, low fat or nonfat cheeses and sour cream.

Just like any other style of cooking, whenever you ditch the oil, butter and fatty sauces ... you'll end up with a much healthier meal. Ole!

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Pinch of Salt is a low-sodium version of four classic snacks -- Ruffles Potato Chips, Lay's Potato Chips, Fritos Corn Chips, and Tostidos Tortilla Chips. By "low" sodium, I mean 75 milligrams per one-ounce serving -- that's about 14 chips or 34 Fritos. Given a daily max of 2,400 milligrams, this low dose hardly makes a dent. And it's far better than the 180 milligrams that come with the classic versions. Now if fat is a concern for you, you might want to exercise some restraint before tearing open one of these Frito-Lay bags, which also happen to deliver a little carb punch too.

Word to the wise: Don't consider Pinch of Salt a health food. Just consider it treat with a little less salt. And enjoy -- in moderation.

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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

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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.

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Mexican food is definitely a fan favorite, but tends to be atrociously heavy in fat and calories. It doesn't have to be though, and getting the taste you like without the love handles to match isn't such a challenge.

The ingredients on almost all Mexican meals are mainly the same. Meat, beans, veggies, rice, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa and some version of a tortilla shell. Give or take a little bit of each ingredient, the meals don't vary much. Cooking at home or ordering out there's a few adjustments you can make to keep things more healthful than not.

First, choose a lean meat. Doesn't matter which one, just make it lean; not cooked in oil. Black beans or fat-free re-fried beans are your next choice. Beans are high in protein, but also high in calories so avoid too much. Fill up on those veggies, just make sure they are grilled, not sauteed. My favorite Mexican restaurant will grill mine dry, grease free. Pile on the fresh veggies like lettuce and tomatoes freely.