Happy (almost) Cinco de Mayo!!!
Woohoo!! Tomorrow is the day that features some of my all-time favorite foods!! It’s Cinco de Mayo!
Although, it’s easy to eat your weight in chips, guacamole and sour cream there are also some simple ways to cut back on the calories and still really enjoy your May 5th celebrations!! Here are some of my favorite tips to lighten up your Cinco de Mayo celebrations!
1.) Bulk up your guacamole with veggies!!
Did you know avocados are actually a really healthy source of fat? Avocados have monounsaturated fat that studies have shown to help your heart and reduce cardiovascular disease. The key is to remember to eat them in moderation – enjoy but try not to eat the entire fruit! A serving size is actually about 1/5 of a whole avocado — it doesn’t sound like that much but you can really bulk it up if you add veggies!
When making your guacamole an easy way to add extra oomph and nutrition is to add chopped tomatoes, onions and cilantro. It adds extra nutrition from the veggies but also makes the savory delicious guacamole last a little longer!
2.) Lighten up your tacos!
Tacos are a STAPLE at Cinco de Mayo but they can often be a calorie and fat bomb! They are often in a fried taco shell and loaded with greasy ground beef, cheese and sour cream! Boo! There are actually a couple great ways to lighten up your tacos without sacrificing the flavor.
- Try fish tacos! YUM! They can be so simple and delicious! Most restaurants have them and they are super simple to make at home! Make sure if you order them from a restaurant that the fish is baked, not fried and also to ask for the creamy sauce on the side so you can add at your leisure. Try this recipe from The Food Addicts - Link to recipe here
![:)]()
- Throw your taco on a salad! Double yum! This way you get the great flavor from the spices and topping but you add a ton of nutrition by placing it on a bed of greens and veggies.
Taco Salad topped w/ Black Beans and plain Greek yogurt
- Instead of sour cream try nonfat plain Greek yogurt! You really can’t tell the difference at all and you get an extra protein bonus on your favorite mexican dishes!!
- This year Cinco de Mayo happens to fall on #meatlessmonday! You can do a fun variation on tacos with black beans instead of meat!
3.) Bake your own chips!!!
This is so simple and a great way to save a ton of unnecessary calories! Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut corn tortillas in half, and then into your favorite chip shape. Spray on a little canola oil spray, sprinkle with salt, and bake for ~7-10mins. I always check half way to make sure things are looking good. Let cool and enjoy! I have the hardest time letting them cool especially when the veggie guacamole is near! 
Delicious chips baking!
If you aren’t feeling quite that adventurous, here are a few of my favorite corn chips. Try to pick chips that have 150mg of sodium or less and have less than 10 ingredients. Since they are corn chips, they shouldn’t need a ton of ingredients. Here are a few of my favorite brands.
Home made chips, black bean dip and veggies!
- Trader Joes: Veggie and Flax Tortilla Chips or Reduced Guilt Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
- Garden of Eatin’ Blue Corn Tortilla Chips (no salt added!!)
- Late July Chips: Any flavor is delicious really
- Xochitl Chips: These are amazing!
Remember at the end of the day, this is one day! Enjoy yourself, celebrate and enjoy the food and people you are dining with!! If you do go overboard, it happens. Forgive yourself, move on and continue with your healthy lifestyle! The key is to enjoy all these foods in moderation. Even healthy foods can be overdone!
OR just watch the video from this weeks segment on Fox News Tampa Bay with Anjuli Lohn - Click here for segment! Thank you to Fox for supporting their dietitians!! <3 You are making my dreams come true! 
Have a safe, healthy and delicious Cinco de Mayo!!