Cinco de Mayo brings mariachi music, margarita pitchers, and sweet deals at Mexican restaurants—making it the one day during the year where it’s completely OK to stuff your face with burritos. But do so and seis de Mayo will become food hangover day—an ultimate macro killer. This fiesta-filled holiday isn’t Mexican Independance Day, it’s celebrating Mexico’s victory over France—Battle of Puebla—during the French-Mexican War. To kick off the celebration, load up on the right recipes that won’t destroy any muscle gains. With that being said, Mexican cuisine can be lifter-friendly—hello protein—because most of the popular dishes are loaded with meat and beans. Yet, the cheeses and oils will destory your macros if you decide to particpate in any of the restaurant deals. Instead of sabotaging your hard-earned work, scale back the celebration to your kitchen, that way you’re the one who’s in the driver seat with the ingredients.
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Zesty Chicken Fajitas
Chicken—a meat that you’re pretty familiar and bored with, yet gets the job done. Chicken fajitas are always packed with flavor—hitting your tastebuds on every level. The chipotles may have your nose running, but the capsaicin in the peppers will be revving up your metabolism post-celebration. You won’t have to worry about putting on a few pounds after this meal.Get the recipe for the Zesty Chicken Fajitas >>
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Cauliflower Mexican Pizza
Now that we’re getting close to summer, you’ve been pretty good on watching your carb macros. However, this holiday is never carb-friendly—dishes are heavy with rice, tortillas, and chips. Using cauliflower for this pizza will certainly save your carb macro—one cup of cauliflower only has 3g. Get the recipe for Cauliflower Mexican Pizza >>
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Chicken Tacos
On this fun-filled holiday, the last thing you want to do is slave over a hot stove. Enter: Chicken tacos, where the only ingredient that needs to be cooked is the chicken. The Ezekiel wraps are also filled with protein because they’re made with soybeans and lentils. Get the recipe for Chicken Tacos >>
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Sam Kaplan
Mexicali Stuffed Peppers
There’s a new spin to stuffed peppers, and it’s a lot hotter. The pablano peppers will add some heat to this dish—boosting your metabolism and energy expenditure after consumption. The brown rice will prevent any spikes in your blood sugar, allowing this meal to be digested properly. You won’t be hungry ’till the next morning. Get the recipe for Mexicali Stuffed Peppers >>
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Chicken Salsa
There isn’t much of a nutrition profile for salsa, which can be a good thing when you’re watching what you eat. But when you’re trying to pack on protein, easily toss the grilled chicken into the salsa. This recipe can make a great appetizer when you’re having people over—just 370 calories and 32g of protein per serving. Get the recipe for Chicken Salsa >>
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Chicken Enchiladas
Enchiladas are the classic comfort food dish in Mexican cuisine—heavy in meat and cheese, what more could you ask for? Calories don’t have to be sacrificed in order to properly celebrate the holiday—simply lighten up the ingredients. Swap out regular cheese for the reduced-fat version, and go for a whole-wheat tortilla over a corn tortilla. Get the recipe for Chicken Enchiladas >>
Cinco de Mayo brings mariachi music, margarita pitchers, and sweet deals at Mexican restaurants—making it the one day during the year where it’s completely OK to stuff your face with burritos. But do so and seis de Mayo will become food hangover day—an ultimate macro killer. This fiesta-filled holiday isn’t Mexican Independance Day, it’s celebrating Mexico’s victory over France—Battle of Puebla—during the French-Mexican War.
To kick off the celebration, load up on the right recipes that won’t destroy any muscle gains. With that being said, Mexican cuisine can be lifter-friendly—hello protein—because most of the popular dishes are loaded with meat and beans. Yet, the cheeses and oils will destory your macros if you decide to particpate in any of the restaurant deals. Instead of sabotaging your hard-earned work, scale back the celebration to your kitchen, that way you’re the one who’s in the driver seat with the ingredients.
Zesty Chicken Fajitas
Chicken—a meat that you’re pretty familiar and bored with, yet gets the job done. Chicken fajitas are always packed with flavor—hitting your tastebuds on every level. The chipotles may have your nose running, but the capsaicin in the peppers will be revving up your metabolism post-celebration. You won’t have to worry about putting on a few pounds after this meal.
Now that we’re getting close to summer, you’ve been pretty good on watching your carb macros. However, this holiday is never carb-friendly—dishes are heavy with rice, tortillas, and chips. Using cauliflower for this pizza will certainly save your carb macro—one cup of cauliflower only has 3g.
On this fun-filled holiday, the last thing you want to do is slave over a hot stove. Enter: Chicken tacos, where the only ingredient that needs to be cooked is the chicken. The Ezekiel wraps are also filled with protein because they’re made with soybeans and lentils.
There’s a new spin to stuffed peppers, and it’s a lot hotter. The pablano peppers will add some heat to this dish—boosting your metabolism and energy expenditure after consumption. The brown rice will prevent any spikes in your blood sugar, allowing this meal to be digested properly. You won’t be hungry ’till the next morning.
There isn’t much of a nutrition profile for salsa, which can be a good thing when you’re watching what you eat. But when you’re trying to pack on protein, easily toss the grilled chicken into the salsa. This recipe can make a great appetizer when you’re having people over—just 370 calories and 32g of protein per serving.
Enchiladas are the classic comfort food dish in Mexican cuisine—heavy in meat and cheese, what more could you ask for? Calories don’t have to be sacrificed in order to properly celebrate the holiday—simply lighten up the ingredients. Swap out regular cheese for the reduced-fat version, and go for a whole-wheat tortilla over a corn tortilla.
