If you love to eat Mexican food and are also conscious of your nutrition, you may have found yourself asking “are fajitas healthy?”
As a Latina dietitian, this is a question I hear all the time!
A lot of my Latina clients have been taught that our cultural foods are unhealthy, but the reality is that Mexican food has plenty of health benefits.
Fajitas, in particular, are a great choice. They are pretty nutritionally balanced, depending on a few factors like which protein, type of tortillas, and toppings you choose.
Today we’ll go over the health benefits of fajitas, as well as my top 5 tips for enjoying healthy fajitas. Let’s get started!
Key Takeaway: Fajitas are a balanced meal because they usually have a protein, some tortillas, and plenty of vegetables. They’re also very easy to customize to your own preferences and nutrition needs.
What are fajitas?
Fajitas are a Tex-Mex staple (note: as a Latina dietitian who’s obsessed with Mexican food history, I consider Tex-mex to be a regional variation of Mexican food).
The word fajita means “little strips.”
When you order fajitas at a restaurant, you’ll get small strips of grilled meat and vegetables (usually peppers and onions), served with a side of tortillas and a variety of toppings.
Fajitas health benefits
Knowing that fajitas usually consist of grilled meat and vegetables, it’s easy to see how nutritious they are.
Here are my favorite health benefits of fajitas:
Good source of vegetables
Fajitas are usually served with grilled onions and peppers. You may also see mushrooms, zucchini, or other vegetables included.
In addition to the grilled veggies, fajitas usually come with a few vegetable sides like guacamole and salsa (yes, salsa is a vegetable).
High protein
Whether you choose chicken, steak, or shrimp, most fajitas are a great source of protein!
Healthy cooking method
Fajitas are usually grilled, which is a very healthy, low-fat cooking method.
Customizable
My favorite thing about fajitas is how customizable they are. This makes them perfect for families who may have different preferences, or different nutrition needs.
You can choose how many tortillas you eat, how many vegetables you add, and which toppings you include. So you can easily get a meal you love that also suits your nutritional needs.
5 tips for healthy fajitas
Fajitas are at their core a healthy dish. But here are my 5 top tips to get the most out of your fajitas, nutritionally.
Low sodium seasoning
If you’re making fajitas at home, you can choose a low sodium seasoning, or even mix your own for full control over the salt content!
Read more of my tips for low sodium Mexican food here.
Choose a lean protein
Choosing a lean protein for your fajitas can help keep your saturated fat intake low, while still providing plenty of protein.
Chicken and shrimp are the two classic lean protein options for fajitas. But even certain cuts of steak can be a lean protein option.
Add a variety of vegetables
If your fajitas come with onions and peppers, be sure to load up on those!
If you’re making them at home, try adding mushrooms or zucchini for even more nutrient variety.
Don’t forget the toppings! Salsa and avocado are great ways to add extra vegetables to your fajitas. As I always remind my clients, salsa is 100% a vegetable.
Top with healthy fats
Avocado (or guacamole) is a great source of healthy unsaturated fats, which can help support your heart health and keep you full.
Serve with corn tortillas
It’s no secret that I love corn tortillas. They’re a whole grain, providing fiber and helping you stay full.
Compared to flour tortillas which are lower in fiber and often higher in fat, corn tortillas make the most sense for a healthy fajitas meal.
Final thoughts
Fajitas are a very easy way to enjoy a healthy Tex-Mex meal.
They provide a good amount of protein and plenty of vegetables. The best part about fajitas is how customizable they are! You can easily change the protein, toppings, and serving sizes to suit your needs.
My goal as a Latina dietitian is to help you feel more confident enjoying your favorite Latin American foods, including fajitas!
If you’re ready to enjoy healthy meals with your favorite Latin American foods, get started with a free copy of my 1-week Mexican meal plan! Sign up below.