You just got a diagnosis of Type two diabetes. Does that now mean one can not go to their favourite Mexican restaurant again? The answer is no. You can still enjoy Mexican food. You can actually enjoy just about any food you want. There is one proviso though. It is an undisputed fact that you must now watch what you eat and how much you eat. Mexican restaurants are known to serve foods which are high in carbohydrates. Always be aware of what you are eating. That basket of chips they often bring to the table is the place to now start using caution. The corn in the tortillas contains high levels of carbohydrates. The deep fried chips bring high levels of fat. Some salsas have a really high degree of salt or sodium.
What else do you need to watch when eating at a Mexican restaurant? Rice is certainly not your friend. They make many of the rice dishes with highly refined white rice. Having too much rice can easily spike blood sugar readings. Beans can be another red flag. Legumes are also a good sourcs for the healthy fats and fiber. Beans in a Mexican meal will more than likely send your glucose into the stratosphere. Refried beans have added fat and calories that is usually saturated. The refrying process breaks down the fibre value also. You get the taste of beans but none of the nutritional value. Tortillas, either corn or flour, are not good either. Both come from refined grains that have little nutritional value as well as high levels of carbs.
What can you eat at a Mexican restaurant? Chicken fajitas are a good choice. You get a pile of chicken and vegetables. You can moderate the level of sour cream and cheese you add as well as the tortillas you eat with it. Shrimp fajitas are also good options. Soft tacos with chicken or broiled fish are also another option. Getting a taco salad and not eating the deep fried shell is another option. All of these options then allow you to control the portion of rice, tortillas, and beans you may eat.
Portion control is the vital with any restaurant. If you order an entrée, consider asking for a box at the beginning of the meal. Put half in the box and take it home with you. You can get to enjoy your food and don’t need to deal with a glucose spike in the process. Getting a diagnosis of the type 2 Diabetes doesn’t mean you have to stop eating your favorite foods. It is a question of getting control of portion size and regulating when you eat.
Tags: diabetes, Mexican food, Type 2
