Feel like a fajita? Sure! Craving a quesadilla? Go for it. Yup, you can even have fish tacos and crispy nachos. And nope, we’re not going loco.
Some Mexican dishes may not be very diet-friendly (full-fat cheese and sour cream, we’re looking at you!). But with some simple tweaks and substitutions, you can still enjoy those unique and inspired south-of-the-border flavors without derailing your health goals. Check out these figure-friendly, mucho yummy recipes for quick mid-week meals, tasty snacks and crowd-pleasing apps.
Helpful hint: Just click on the name of the dish, its image or the link in the caption to access the full recipe.
You get shrimp that’s crisped and coated in cumin, chili powder and smoked paprika, along with brightly colored bell pepper slices and sweet onions—all roasted to perfection in 10 tiny, little minutes. Wrap all that deliciousness up in a warm whole wheat tortilla for the perfect high-protein, high-flavor meal on a night when you’re short on time. Click here for the full recipe >
Looks like the quesadilla of your dreams. It’s got shredded cheddar and chunks of chicken, like a quesadilla should. And most importantly: It tastes like the quintessential kind you know and love. However, with low-fat cheese and lots of vegetables to plump up the filling, this healthier version can be worked into the perfect flex dinner for your Nutrisystem plan. Click here for the full recipe >
Bell peppers get Southwestern flair when they’re filled with rice, black beans and vegetables. And when that base is brown rice or quinoa, the meal is even healthier and more filling. Serve these stuffed beauties at your next gathering. Or, if you prefer a little meat in your peppers, try this loaded version, which includes ground turkey breast. Click here for the full recipe >
We did say you could have nachos. But did we mention that the whole wheat chips would be topped with sweet and tangy barbecue chicken, zesty peppers and smoky bacon? It seems so wrong for your diet, but when you use the Nutrisystem BBQ Seasoned Chicken dinner entrée, this crowd-pleaser tastes so, so right. Just add some extra veggies, fat-free cheese and a burst of fresh cilantro for guilt-free noshing. Click here for the full recipe >
A fiesta isn’t a fiesta without salsa on the spread. Made with fresh veggies, herbs and a few squirts of lime juice, Pico de Gallo is the perfect healthy dip for your favorite whole grain chip or cracker. For a little heat, add a splash of hot sauce. Click here for the full recipe >
Take a long whiff while it’s cooking: The aroma of this simmering pot of peppers, onions, kidney and pinto beans, spinach and celery, (of course) lean turkey and a whole lot of spices is sure to get your belly grumbling. Good thing it’s as hearty as it is healthy! For a twist on this warm-your-bones recipe, try the Butternut Squash Turkey Chili. Click here for the full recipe >
Uno potato, dos potatoes, tres potatoes, cuatro! The sweet spuds take center stage in this dish, as a great source of vitamins A and C, plus fiber. Not to mention, these sweet potatoes are loaded with chicken, cheese, salsa and avocado, so they’re muy delicioso. Side it with a salad, and dinner is served. Click here for the full recipe >
Start with a crisp base of shredded lettuce, and pile on the goodness: Fresh diced tomatoes, a prepared package of the Nutrisystem Chili With Beans dinner entrée, shredded cheese and crunchy baked tortilla chips for one satisfying salad. Click here for the full recipe >
Add this dish to your weekday rotation for three very good reasons: It takes minimal effort to make, it tastes like a Mexican party in your mouth and it provides wide-ranging nourishment. On Nutrisystem, it counts as one SmartCarb, two PowerFuels, one Vegetable and three Extras. Need more convincing? You can sub in your favorite veggies, tweak seasonings and experiment with spices for a different flavor every time you make it. Click here for the full recipe >
Not for the faint of heart, these tacos pack in some heat: Chili powder is the star of the mahi-mahi seasoning blend, with cumin, coriander, garlic and salt taking supporting roles. Jalapenos make their debut in the southern slaw to gives these tacos a zesty crunch. Click here for the full recipe >
Go citrus with your salsa! This tropical fruit packs a healthy dose of vitamin C and folate, and helps provide the perfect blend of sweet and tangy that you can use on top of grilled chicken or shrimp, or alongside a serving of baked whole wheat tortilla chips. And before you say you hate peeling mangoes, we make it easy with these simple tips. Click here for the full recipe >
Maybe not the prettiest of dishes, but we’ll go out on a limb and say you’re really not going to care once you stick a forkful in your mouth. Between the chunks of sautéed peppers, tomatoes, onions and corn, the cumin, paprika and Tabasco seasoning, this baby’s got flavor. All of this mixes into the southwestern taste of the Nutrisystem Sante Fe Style Chicken entrée and is topped with creamy avocado slices, so…. trust when we say looks can be deceiving. Click here for the full recipe >
It looks like regular rice. It’s got the same texture and soaks up sauces and marinades, like regular rice would. But “rice” made from cauliflower is super healthy, super easy to make and when mixed with fresh lime juice and cilantro—super delicious to eat! Consider this alternative the next time your recipe calls for rice. On Nutrisystem, cauliflower is an unlimited vegetable—you can have as much of it as you like! Click here for the full recipe >
Toss a few basic fajita ingredients—chicken, salsa, onions, garlic and beans—into the slow cooker and let it work its magic. This set-it-and-forget-it recipe makes several servings, perfect to feed the whole family. Or, freeze the leftovers for when you’re hankering for your next fajita. Click here for the full recipe >
They’re cute, they crunch and they taste delicious—perfect appetizers to take the “hostess with the mostess” title at your next fiesta! Click here for the full recipe >
The list of ingredients may be long, but the combination of tastes and textures is worth every shred, chop and dice. Plus, the homemade dressing—featuring fresh cilantro, avocado, lime juice and garlic—elevates this salad to epic, Mexican-flavored proportions. Restaurant quality all served at your house. Click here for the full recipe >
Never heard of a chili casserole? Your taste buds will be happy to make its acquaintance: Savory chili, topped with a layer of creamy polenta and all covered in melted cheese. The Nutrisystem Vegetarian Chili–complete with four beans, zesty tomato sauce and spices–works perfectly as the base to this satisfying meal, or you can make your own Savory Turkey Chili instead. Click here for the full recipe >
Last, but certainly not least—the gold star of Mexican fare—the one, the only, the smooth, the creamy… guacamole! Guacamole provides lots of vitamins and minerals, healthy fats and fiber. However, high in calories, it’s easy to overeat. Thankfully, this lighter version is made with nonfat Greek yogurt and extra veggies, so you can enjoy a little more without worrying about diet destruction. If you’re feeling adventurous, add pineapples for a touch of sweetness. Click here for the full recipe >
Want more variety in your healthy diet during the chilly season? Then you need to get to know the squash family, one of the biggest and most diverse group of vegetables. They come in many shapes and colors, each with its own distinct flavor and texture, and all are low in calories and loaded with nutrients. Right now is prime time for enjoying the different kinds of winter squash, the hard-skinned types that can be stored without refrigeration (as opposed to summer squash such as zucchini). Here are seven winter squash you and your family will love, and ideas for how to eat them: 1. Butternut Squash A tube-shaped squash with a bulbous end, butternut has smooth, buff-colored skin. The fine-textured, deep-orange flesh tastes similar to sweet potatoes, though some liken the flavor to butterscotch. Nutrisystem Category: SmartCarb Nutrition Highlights: A one-cup serving has 63 calories, 2.8 grams of fiber, no fat and negligible amounts of sodium, but it gives you 14 percent of your ...
Iced tea is the perfect refreshment for warm summer days. It cools you from the inside out and keeps you hydrated. And here’s a bonus: cold drinks have been shown to help overweight people reduce their body mass index through a process called “ thermogenesis .” Unsweetened iced tea is flavorful yet has no calories, so you can drink as much of it as you want. If you’re on Nutrisystem , it will count towards your daily water goal. Better yet, you can pump up the taste with ingredients that don’t load on the calories. Iced tea is easy and fun to make. In fact, you can choose from a few different brewing methods depending on your time and tastes. Learn how to make iced tea with these three simple methods: 1. Fastest: Hot Tea + Ice You can have glass of iced tea ready to drink in about 15 minutes by brewing a cup of hot tea, allowing it to cool, then adding ice. When making tea, avoid using water that’s been sitting in a kettle or that has been previously boiled. It may have picked up...
When the days become warm and the sun stays up until after dinner, cooking and eating outdoors makes mealtime more fun and flavorful. Grilling turns up the taste of many foods, including the non-starchy vegetables that are so important to your Nutrisystem weight loss plan . Cooking over an open flame brings out the natural sweetness of many veggies while infusing them with a rich, charred flavor. Keep reading to find out the 10 best vegetables to grill this season. Plus, learn more about their health benefits and score some of our favorite grilled vegetable recipes. 1. Artichokes Artichokes are the unopened flower buds from a certain type of thistle plant. They are at their peak in spring to early summer. When raw, artichokes are firm and hard to bite into. Grilling tenderizes them while adding a smoky note to their lightly nutty flavor. Why: A medium-size artichoke has about seven grams of fiber, which keeps you feeling full long after you eat. Artichokes are a good vegetable s...
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