Tacos are easily named as one of the top favorite foods by millions of Americans, because they consider tacos a hearty, nutritious food that can be eaten any time of day. As an energizing breakfast, as a filling lunch, as a sumptuous dinner or even as a late night grub.
No one can argue about tacos ranking high in the list of most sought after specialty foods, as related food surveys show that in the U.S. alone, an estimated 4.5 billion tacos are consumed each year. It is also hard to argue about the nutritional values of tacos, since this Mexican dish originated as “tacos de mineros,” staple food that silver miners brought to work to keep them filled lightly and at the same time nutritiously.
Now taco-lovers who have some diet concerns or health issues, are savvy enough to know how they can have their tacos and eat it too without compromising their dietary regimen.
Making Tacos Delicious and Nutritious According to Your Dietary Restrictions
Admittedly, tacos offered by food outlets are rich in calories but not necessarily filling; only whetting appetites just so partakers will crave for more. More means large amounts of calories that can ruin one’s dietary restrictions. If that is the case, tacos must be tailored according to one’s regimen or food preference, usually in one’s kitchen. After all, taco recipes are versatile enough to allow modifications.
Opt for Soft Corn-Based Taco Shells Instead of Hard Flour Shells
The first to tackle are the taco shells. Make sure your taco shells are made from corn flour instead of refined all-purpose flour. Weight-watchers and calorie-counter eaters use corn flour when making tortillas because corn is whole grain, which means more fiber and fewer calories.
Reduce calories further by steaming instead of deep-frying the corn tortillas. To turn steamed tortillas into crispy taco shells, bake them in high heat for a few minutes.
Now if you are having your tacos at a restaurant or a fast food chain where corn-based taco shells are not offered as option, request for lettuce as alternative taco wrappers.
Customize Taco Fillings with Healthier Alternatives
Meat fillings made from beef or pork have higher calories. The healthier alternatives include beans, shredded chicken-breast, ground lean turkey meat or fish. Add some salt-free seasoning to make the filling more flavourful.
Actually you can stay with some beef or pork but make your tacos healthier by filling up you tacos with more veggies. Make your veggie-fillings tastier by adding more salsa and other types of vegetables like pepper, carrots, cabbage or other green leafies.
Go easy with the cheese and sour cream since these ingredients have high calorie contents. If using guacamole as taco sauce, do not get carried away, because even if it comes with healthy unsaturated fats, it can still add more calories.