Since we are going to Mexico, I thought I’d do some research on what keto Mexican food is available. I asked on the resort’s fan page about low carb options in restaurants and got the generic advice of skipping the rice and tortilla chips. Well, thanks for that, Captain Obvious. Although, that was better than the advice of just eating what we want and flushing it all out with drinking lots of water. I don’t think that’s how any of this works…
Authentic Mexican Food Can Be Keto
Mexican food is more than nachos and tacos. Mexicans traditionally do not use beef, black beans, canned vegetables, wheat flour, or yellow cheese in their dishes. Their food is usually made in cast iron skillets – either steaming or frying their foods.
When we go to Mexico, we want to make sure we try some traditional Mexican foods. But, because of Bill’s health concerns, we can’t just go off plan and then get back on track when we get home. We have to stay low carb so his insulin levels don’t get out of whack. So, I need to find out what some of the dishes are for when we are there.
The Keto Mexican Food We Know
One of the staples here in Canada is fajitas. While we can’t eat the tortillas that come with them, we can eat the stir-fried vegetables mixed with a protein. Add some sour cream, salsa, and guacamole, and it is a meal filled with flavour.
Taco salad is another regular for us in Canada. I really enjoy the spicy meat with the lettuce as a base. Again, add the sauces and some cheese, and it’s a great meal. We went through a phase where we ate taco salad every Friday night!
Chorizo is not something we eat, but we’ve certainly heard about this spicy sausage. It is traditionally made from pork, but it can also be made from beef. If it’s on the buffet at the resort, we might just try it.
The Dips That Give Flavour to Keto Mexican Food
Guacamole is the perfect keto addition to a meal. Avocados are the base for the dip, and are a healthy source of fat with very few net carbs. It offers a creamy texture to your food, and depending on what you add, it can also give food a little kick.
Queso is a cheese dip / sauce. Enough said. Add to food and enjoy.
Salsa is a well-known staple of Mexican food. While the base is tomato, salsa is not an overly high-carb addition to a meal. We use salsa on our scrambled eggs at home. For a couple of carbs, it offers a whole lot of flavour.
Pico de Gallo is a dip made of diced tomato, onion, and cilantro. It’s similar to salsa, but I’m not a fan – mostly due to the cilantro. I’ve never liked that spice.
The Meats
Carne asada is a steak that is marinated and then grilled. Just be sure the marinade doesn’t contain sugar or starchy fillers, and this will have no carbs at all!
Birria is goat meat. It is usually used for tacos or a traditional soup. I don’t think I can eat a goat, but it can be a great option for keto.
Carnitas is a shredded, slow-cooked pork. It’s a fatty cut of meat, like the shoulder. If it doesn’t have a sugary sauce on it, this would be ideal for keto.
Al pastor pork – This is usually used in tacos. Again, just hold off on the tortillas and you will be fine with this. Pork is a great keto option.
Keto Mexican Meals
Ceviche is a meal I’ve heard of, but never tried. It is a raw or precooked fish or shrimp. You mix it with vegetables and herbs. I like my fish cooked, so it’s not something that interests me, but it’s a good keto option.
Camarones a la diabla is a spicy shrimp dish. Traditionally, it’s with rice, but have a salad instead and you have a super flavourful keto meal.
Finally, and I think this is what I’m looking forward to the most, is huevos a la Mexicana. It’s scrambled eggs with onions, tomatoes, and peppers. Like I said before, we often put salsa on our scrambled eggs. I’m thinking they will do this better than we do!
Final Thoughts about Keto Mexican Food
As long as the spices don’t have fillers, they are keto-friendly. And, now that I’m not addicted to sugar, I enjoy a little heat and spicy flavour to my food. In Canada, we keto people avoid the starchy sides of potatoes and pasta. In Mexico, just avoid the carb-filled sides of rice and beans. So, enjoy your Mexican food without any guilt. It’s easy to make Mexican food keto!
Wendy
