Tacos have long been associated with being a fast food that’s not good for you. However, that doesn’t mean you can never eat tacos again! They are in fact a great choice for eating when trying to stay healthy. You just have to know the right way to make them so you don’t gain excess fat or sodium intake. Crispy, light, and flavorful—this taco recipe is an easy way to get more veggies into your diet. They’re also perfect if you’re following a ketogenic diet (i.e., high fat and low carbs). These tacos contain almost no carbs but they have loaded with flavor thanks to cumin and coriander.
Are Tacos Actually Healthy?
There are healthy tacos and unhealthy tacos. Generally, the healthier options are going to be those without a lot of cheese and cream-based sauces. Some good choices include grilled chicken or fish, veggies, and black beans. If you’re looking for something a bit more indulgent, try using roasted sweet potatoes or plantains instead of tortillas. And don’t forget the salsa and guacamole – both are packed with nutrients and healthy fats!
What Is A Taco Made Of?
Corn Tortillas
Tortillas are made from corn. They are often used as a wrap for tacos, burritos, and fajitas. Corn flour is a common filler in tortillas that makes them more crispy and flaky. As the name suggests, they contain no wheat or gluten! They’re also low in fat and calories.
Meat (Usually Ground Beef)
The meat is usually ground beef or chicken to create a taco filling. It can be seasoned with cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, coriander, onion powder, paprika, and salt to create a delicious taco filling. If you’re making beef tacos the toppings include cilantro sprigs, onions slices, or diced avocado slices for extra flavor!
Pico de Gallo (Mexican Salsa)
Pico de Gallo is a salsa made from tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. It’s a great addition to any taco meal as it adds flavor and texture. For a more authentic Mexican taco filling, you can also use salsa verde or salsa Roja (red or green salsa).
Cheese
The cheese is usually mild cheddar cheese or jack cheese. The cheese has a lot of fat so it can be used sparingly in tacos to create a smooth filling with no lumps. If you like your tacos with extra melted cheese, add it at the end of cooking the meat before adding it to the tortillas.
Salsa
This is the most important part of the taco! It’s made from tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapeño peppers. It’s a great seasoning for any taco but it’s especially good with ground beef. You can also use salsa verde or salsa Roja (red or green salsa).
Guacamole
Guacamole is a great addition to any taco meal as it adds flavor and texture. It also provides a lot of healthy fats to help you feel satisfied after eating tacos. If you like your guacamole to have a more traditional Mexican flavor, add some diced avocado slices!
What’s So Healthy About Tacos?
Tacos are Full of Vegetables
The taco has often been associated with being “fast food” but that is not the case. Tacos can be a nutritious option for any diet. They are full of vegetables and flavor thanks to their spices, including cumin, coriander, and chili powder. You can use them as a meatless meal or even as a side dish. They are also super filling!
Tacos are Low in Calories
Tacos have fewer calories than any other Mexican food because they contain less fat and carbs than most other dishes. This is great for anyone trying to keep their weight down or trying to lose weight! The taco is also low in sodium—just under 250 milligrams (mg) per taco—which means it’s good for diabetics or anyone who wants to eat healthier. In fact, the taco is so low in sodium that you don’t even need salt with it! The Taco Bell website has a great list of low-sodium taco recipes.
Tacos are High in Protein
The taco is high in protein and therefore a great choice for anyone wanting to eat more meat or following a vegetarian diet. The meat in the taco is also high-quality protein, meaning it’s lean and comes from animals that are raised with care. This makes it a good choice for anyone on a low-carb or ketogenic diet (i.e., high fat and low carbs). The taco also contains many other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Tacos are Low in Sodium
Tacos are not only low in calories and protein but also very low in sodium! This means that they’re good for diabetics or anyone who wants to eat healthier because they won’t go over their daily limit of sodium intake when eating them as part of their meal plan. Even though they’re not technically considered a soup, they’re low in sodium and therefore can be eaten as a side dish.
Tacos are Easy to Make
Tacos are easy to make because they contain very few ingredients and the steps involved are simple. You can make the taco filling right in your own kitchen and then cook it in the oven or on the stovetop, grill it, or microwave it. The only other thing you need is some tortillas!
Tacos are Delicious
The taco is a delicious dish that is full of flavor thanks to the spices and seasonings that go into it, including cumin, chili powder, and coriander. The meat in the taco is also high-quality protein, coming from animals that are raised with care. The taco also contains many other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids.
How To Make Healthy Tacos?
Choose the Right Meat
The meat you choose for your tacos can be key to their healthiness. If it’s too fatty, it will make your tacos unhealthy. For example, ground beef isn’t a good choice if you want to eat healthy tacos. Instead, try using lean ground turkey or even chicken. It won’t have as much fat, but it will still be full of flavor and have a great texture!
Use the Right Taco Shells
Taco shells are another key factor in making your taco healthy. If they don’t contain any fiber, they may cause you to gain weight because carbs are the main source of energy for your body after all. However, there are options that you can use that help keep fat and calories low while still providing plenty of fiber! You can opt for corn tortillas or whole wheat tortillas if you want to keep things healthy! Your choice is up to you though.
Use a Healthy Taco Seasoning
If you want to enjoy your tacos without gaining excess fat or calories, then you need to use a taco seasoning that won’t cause any problems! There are many taco seasonings out there that are not only tasty but also healthy. Although they may be more expensive, they will allow you to have delicious tacos without having to worry about things like sodium and fat.
Get the Right Ratio of Cumin and Coriander in Your Taco Seasoning
One of the most essential ingredients in making healthy tacos is cumin and coriander. These spices contain antioxidants that help fight inflammation in your body, which can help improve your health overall. You can find cumin seeds at any grocery store in the spice aisle or even online on Amazon. They are quite easy to use and don’t take long at all to cook! For coriander seeds, you can easily find them online as well.
Use Healthy Dipping Sauces
If you want to make your tacos healthier, you need to use healthy dipping sauces. Making your own salsa or guacamole is a good idea if you want to enjoy healthy tacos but it can be time-consuming. Instead, opt for a store-bought salsa or guacamole that contains the right amount of healthy ingredients! They are quick and easy to cook so they won’t take up too much time in the kitchen. You can also use homemade versions of these sauces if you prefer!
Make Your Tacos With Healthy Vegetables and Fruits
One of the biggest mistakes people make when making tacos is using unhealthy vegetables and fruits in their recipes. For example, many people put tomatoes into their tacos thinking that it will help them feel full faster but this isn’t true at all! Tomatoes are high in acid which can cause stomach issues for some people so make sure to use a healthier vegetable in your tacos!
The Truth About Beans In Tacos
Beans are a great source of protein
A cup of black beans contains 8 grams of protein and a cup of refried beans contains 15 grams. That’s a lot of good protein! When you eat black beans, you can also get iron and folate that may help your body prevent heart disease, prostate cancer, and osteoporosis. Beans are also high in fiber which means they’ll keep you fuller for longer.
They’re filling and keep you full for longer periods of time
Beans can help you feel fuller longer because they contain high amounts of fiber that slows down the rate at which your stomach empties into your intestines. Fiber also helps to regulate your stomach’s acidity levels by slowing digestion which helps to keep your belly full between meals!
Beans have no fat or cholesterol!
Beans are actually very low in fat—they contain only 3 grams per cup whereas other legumes such as pinto beans and black beans contain 5 grams per cup. Beans are also a great source of fiber which helps to keep you full for longer.
They’re high in protein and can help you lose weight
A cup of black beans contains 8 grams of protein, a lot more than most other foods! Protein is an important nutrient that keeps your body healthy because it helps to build new cells and repair old ones. Protein also helps to maintain muscle mass so if you’re trying to shed some pounds, eating beans can help you do that! Beans are also high in fiber which keeps you fuller for longer periods of time so if you’re trying to lose weight, eating them can help!
They’re a great source of B vitamins
Beans are a great source of B vitamins such as folate, thiamine, and niacin. B vitamins help to keep your body healthy by helping your body absorb and use the other nutrients in your diet. This means that you will have a better chance of getting all the nutrients that you need!
Conclusion
Tacos are a great option for a quick and easy meal, whether you make them yourself or go out to eat. Just remember that tacos aren’t a healthy meal if you make them unhealthy—you can add as much meat, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole as you like, but it won’t make them a healthy meal. It’s best to make tacos at home or order a taco bowl (no shell) with a side of vegetables and salsa. If you do that, you’ll have a hearty, delicious meal that is perfect for any time of day. And yes, it’s true: tacos are actually healthy!
