Burritos Aren’t Bad for You

Fall is my favorite time of year, it’s cold enough to wear a sweater and boots but not so cold that you need to look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. With the drop in temperature, it’s normal to crave comfort foods or in my case, Mexican food for all the meals. Sadly, my metabolism won’t burn off a burrito and nachos like it used to in my 20’s.

I’m fortunate to work at a tech company with some delicious food options. We have a burrito bar with different twists so you could have them every day without getting bored. This week featured a picadillo burrito and a chicken adobo burrito.

In order to healthify (this probably needs to be a word), you can ask for a burrito bowl which is what I like to do to keep nutrition on point. If you’re not allowed to workout or don’t have time to get to the gym the best thing you can do is go strict on nutrition and make sure you get 10,000 steps a day.

I like to call this your Carbie to Barbie makeover. The biggest calorie hog in the burrito is that giant flour tortilla, while delicious isn’t doing you any favors. It’s the difference between a slim waist and a bloated belly.

 

Beans are ok, they are a good source of fiber and protein. Omit if you don’t like them or they make you gassy.

Pass on the rice if you are in depletion mode, otherwise, ask for the smallest scoop. If you can’t live without rice, portion control is your second best option, you need to make a conscious decision to put your health goals above food cravings. #struggleisreal

Have your protein, this is great for your body, it’s the building blocks of muscle. Proteins will keep you full, I usually ask for extra to avoid the afternoon snack attack.

If you have the option of adding roasted veggies, go for it. I like warm veggies because it adds an extra layer of flavor. They usually put pico de gallo salsa, which is great because it’s only tomatoes, onions, and jalapeños, it packs a lot of flavor with fewer calories than salad dressing.

I like a sprinkling of cotija cheese and guacamole for healthy fats. Having good fats with proteins will keep you full longer.

PASS ON THESE

• Pass on the tortilla (naked burritos to look better naked)
• Pass on the rice or ask for a small portion (less than half cup)
• Pass on the sour cream

• Beans are ok unless your diet is strict Paleo
• Load up on the meat
• Load up on roasted veggies
• Pico de gallo salsa instead of salad dressing
• Guacamole (normal portion)

If you’re thinking this is not a burrito, it’s a salad, you’re not wrong. It has the flavors of Mexican food which will help with cravings without derailing your efforts at the gym. Being able to get my Mexican food fix while sticking to my nutrition plan is worth making a few sacrifices. I like the blend of the warm meat and roasted veggies with lettuce and salsa for the win!

To learn more about why you’re seeing the word count at the end of my blog posts, check out: My 500 Words, A 31 Day Writing Challenge