Did you realize that those huge burritos that you purchase at Taquerias can be 1000 calories? By the time you take into account the large tortilla, beans, rice, meat, salsa and sometimes guacamole and sour cream you will be at this amount of calories.
How do we still enjoy our burrito and not get anywhere near this high caloric count?
My family and I have created a burrito that comes to half the calories and can be ordered at any local burrito shop. It is best to order the whole wheat tortillas that now are more available then ever, the tasty and spicy grilled chicken along with the beans of your choice such as black or pinto beans, cilantro, green onions, and salsa of your choice. Notice we have not added any rice, cheese, guacamole and sour cream. These items are always high in fat. The rice is fried up in lots of oil unlike the pure white rice available at the Chinese restaurant. They certainly load up on the cheese and as you see over the counter they do not even measure the amount. As for the guacamole and sour cream, the cooks tend to just pile it on.
You can have a dinner with the family where everyone builds their own burrito. You can find 100% whole wheat tortillas by La Tortilla Factory. When you throw in all the ingredients into the tortilla you do not even know the difference. You certainly can grill up some chicken or buy already grilled chicken strips by Foster Farms or by Kirkland at Costco. At popular spots, you can now find seafood in burritos, which is a very healthy choice. If you prefer ground beef, please try ground turkey instead. Again, when you add in salsa and other ingredients, you will not be able to tell that you are not having beef. It is best to use canned beans that you drain or if you prefer fat-free Rosarita Refried Beans. You can use shredded low-fat flavorful sharp cheddar cheeses, and of course, you need to use only a little of it. Also, you can add lettuce, fresh tomatoes, cilantro, green onions or pico de gallo. Then we can use a small dollop of sour cream or guacamole at the end.
A very popular item at Mexican restaurants is the burrito bowl. This is the burrito without the tortilla. This is such a great way to reduce calories. The huge tortillas can be 400 calories. If you order a bowl, you will get more fiber and protein and cut the calories in half.
Burritos can be a very healthy dinner for your families. Try to be creative and have a build your own burrito fiesta and invite your friends.