Craving Mexican? Get Some Tips

When you prepare your own food, you know exactly what is going into the dishes you eat. It's easy to gauge calorie and fat content, as well as control portion size. But all bets are off when you're dining out.

One way to dodge the problem is to avoid eating out all together — but we all know that's simply not possible. The good news? You can make smart choices when you do eat out.

Mexican food, for example, is an American favorite. A menu item may seem like a healthy option, but unless you ask how it was prepared, it may be loaded down with all kinds of diet-damaging ingredients. However, there are some healthier options on the menu.

Look for chicken, beef, or shrimp fajitas with black beans or salad on the side instead of rice; carne asada (steak with onions and peppers); shrimp diablo (this is grilled with garlic butter — ask them to go easy on that); grilled fish tacos (with one corn tortilla rather than two); taco and tostada salads with chicken, beef, or shrimp for protein (don't eat the taco bowl). Get everything à la carte. Don't get the rice and only eat the beans if they are not refried.