Skinny Cinco De Mayo recipes and healthy activities

by Brittany Anas · May 1, 2013

By Brittany Anas

If your celebration of the Mexican Army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla involves bottomless tortilla chips, cheesy queso dip and rounds of beergaritas (mini-Coronas tipped into a marg), we’re here to intervene.

We won’t dare try to take the “drink-o” out of Cinco de Mayo, but we do have some healthy tips to help you slim down the traditional Mexican fare that can otherwise wreak havoc on your diet.

Here are some ideas that will help you cut calories and fat — while still enjoying Mexican food and, yes, tequila, too.

Citrus-seltzer margarita: By replacing sweet-and-sour mix with orange juice, fresh lime juice and club soda, you can majorly cut down on the sugar content in your margarita. Let’s raise our glasses in a toast to Skinnytaste for this light margarita recipe that contains 137 calories and 9 grams of sugar. (Skinny tip: Instead of using salt or sugar for the rim of your margarita, try cinnamon. It pairs great with tequila).
Black bean soup: Packed with fiber, this black bean soup recipe from the Food Network is filling. You can also dip your chips in it, instead of the higher-calorie queso. The recipe serves eight, but we’d double it and freeze some for later. Throw in a can of beer for extra flavor, and, to cut back on fat, use turkey bacon and a low-fat cheddar (avoid non-fat cheddar cheese because it doesn’t melt well). (Skinny tip: Use a low-sodium can of beans and rinse them before cooking.)
Crockpot baja chicken tacos: Oh, how we love a good crockpot recipe. Crockpots are the closest we’ll probably ever come to having a personal chef. Toss a few chicken breasts into your slow cooker and cover them with a jar of your favorite salsa. Add about 1/4 cup of water and cook on slow for six hours or until cooked through. Shred the chicken and make soft tacos loaded with a rainbow of sauteed onions and bell peppers, low-fat jack cheese, low-fat sour cream and avocado slices. Garnish with a lime. (Skinny tip: Use the leftover salsa-chicken mix on your salads as a flavorful substitute for high-fat salad dressings).
Check out a parade: We’ve heard Cinco de Mayo is celebrated more in the United States than it is in Mexico. Many cities have Cinco de Mayo parades and fiestas — so get in on the fun, whether it’s dancing to mariachi music on Chicago’s Navy Pier or going to themed pool party in Phoenix. Check out your own city’s visitor and convention bureau to find out what’s happening in your back yard. Here’s a good round up of major celebrations across the United States.