Today, September 16, is National Guacamole Day! It’s also Mexican Independence Day. Who knew?
This doesn’t mean that you should go crazy with the chips transporting said guacamole into your mouth. But guacamole is an amazing source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. Avocados contain the same type of fat found in olive oil and almonds. Avocados are one the best choices in fruit for magnesium, vitamin E and folic acid. They have 60% more potassium than bananas. If that’s not enough reason to make avocados a part of your daily diet, they are also free of sodium, cholesterol and trans fats.
In one study, volunteers who ate avocados every day for a week experienced an average 17% drop in total blood cholesterol (Archives of Medical Research, Winter 1996). Try guacamole on a grilled chicken breast, as a spread for a whole grain turkey sandwich, or dip your carrots into it for an out of this world snack.
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Cinco De Mayo – the 5th of May; a holiday that commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. More importantly, it is a day to celebrate Mexican food! Mexican food is my very favorite, and it’s my weakness. But tortilla chips, cheese and margaritas can really wreak havoc on your diet, leaving you with tight jeans and a caloric hangover worse than any fruity mixed drinks.
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Mexican food can certainly be one of the more challenging cuisines when eating out, as there aren’t many low-fat items to choose from, and several dishes are full of fried foods. Add on calorie-filled margaritas and tortilla chips to start and you are already filling up on unneeded fat and calories before having even ordered your main course.
Dishes at Mexican restaurants are usually on the larger side with the addition of rice and beans accompanying the meal. To help prevent overeating, I would first suggest ordering a house salad, which should entail tomatoes, cucumbers, corn and some avocado for your healthy fat. This starter salad will also help in the avoidance of eating the full entree when it arrives or you can ask for half the portion to be put in a to-go container.
Some terms that you should look to avoid on the menu are: fried, crispy, refried, breaded and cheese. Instead look for items that are baked or grilled and request sauces on the side so you can control the amount on your food.
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Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for the 5th of May) is right around the corner and I know many people are planning to partake in this Mexican holiday. Depending on how you celebrate this holiday I know a lot of fun, music, food, and alcohol are involved. This year I want to give you some simple tips to keep in mind to have a healthier Cinco de Mayo celebration.
- Remember Mexican food with vegetables, seafood, and fruit is healthy, light, and lower in calories.
- Make the food at home. This way you can use lower fat products (2% milk cheeses) to help control calories and fat.
Cinco de Mayo is a traditional Mexican holiday recognizing the defeat of the French military in 1862 in the state of Pueblo. The celebration has grown in popularity in the States, and is one of the first real kick-off events for Spring. Anything for some delicious, classic Mexican food, right? 
With all the chips, queso, tacos and Mexican beer turning up at a Cinco de Mayo party, you can quickly and easily sabotage your diet. Instead, prepare some of these fresh and flavorful Mexican recipes at your event, or offer your hostess to bring a dish. Your guests will likely not even notice that you took a healthy route once they taste your culinary creations, and you can rest easy knowing you enjoyed the party and will wake-up guilt-free on seis de Mayo!
Strawberry Salsa
Serve with either blue corn tortilla chips or top grilled chicken or pork chops. Either way you’ll feel like you’re splurging with this scrumptious salsa made with strawberries, pineapple, fresh mint and cilantro, and jalapenos.
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