Taco Salad Makeover

As a result of one of my ask anything questions, a reader named Jen asked:

"I saw you mentioned "taco salad" as a go-to healthy meal. Since Mexican food is notoriously fat-laden, what do you make for your taco salad?"

I have come up with a few little tips and tricks to making taco-salad a healthy/fahhbulous meal!

1) Minimize the iceburg lettuce.
I mix my iceburg lettuce with spinach to add loaded with calcium, folic acid, vitamin K and iron. Spinach is also rich in vitamin C, fiber and carotenoids. Add its lutein and bioflavanoids and spinach is a nutritional powerhouse.

2) Ditch the full fat sour cream
Although rich and delcious tasting, one 2 tbsp serving of full fat sour cream has 60 calories and 6g of fat. I replace it with fat free sour cream which has just 25 calories and 0g of fat. Another alternative is fat free plain yogurt.

3) Make your own guacamole
You have no idea whats in store bought guacamole. I make my own by simply mashing 1/4 of an avocado, add s&p, some salsa and cilantro. Avoacados are PACKED with healthy fats. Avocados contribute nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant compounds that can contribute to the nutrient quality of your diet. One-fifth of a medium avocado (1 oz) has 50 calories and contributes nearly 20 vitamins and minerals making it a good nutrient choice.

4) Use lean meat.
I fry extra lean ground beef and add beans and corn to the mixture. This is a good trick to cut calories but still get lots of protein and nutrients from the beans and corn.

5) Use salsa for dressing
Rather than using high calorie ranch dressing, I toss my salad in SALSA! Full fat ranch dressing can have up to 150 calories and 15g of fat per 2 tbsp serving. Salsa on the other hand has just 10 calories and 0g of fat per 2 tbsp serving. LOAD IT ON and enjoy!

6) Add baked tortilla chips
I like a little bit of crunch to my salad, so I add some crushed baked tortilla chips rather than the traditional ones.

7) Ditch the fried shell
Not that this is really an option at home (as I don't have a deep fryer) but I just skip this part all together. In the past however, I have made my own bowls by spraying a tortilla with a little olive oil, pressing it into a metal bowl and baking until crisp. No deep frying needed!

8) Go easy on the cheese
I often just skip the cheese all together as there is so much flavour in the salad, you don't notice the cheese. If you want the cheese, I say go for some extra old cheddar (big flavor, a little goes a long way) and grate it using the the small side of your grater. You can always use light cheddar, but I prefer a little of the real stuff!

Can you now see why healthified taco salad is my favorite healthy meal? It packs a punch nutritionally, is full of flavor and its FILLING!

Enjoy my friends. :)