When we think about Cinco de Mayo, we picture drinking margaritas and eating ridiculous amounts of chips and guacamole. Delicious? Yes. Healthy? Not so much.
Don’t worry — we’re not trying to ruin the party here. You can still enjoy everything about this Mexican-American holiday without skipping a beat in your diet and exercise routine. Here are some more nutritious, active and very Northwest ways you can celebrate a healthy Cinco de Mayo this year.
1. Make a more natural margarita.
Most pre-made margarita mixes you buy at the store or order at a restaurant are jam-packed with sugar and unnecessary calories. That’s why we like these homemade recipes from Northwest blogger and owner of Simply Real Health Sarah Adler. Not only does she put a healthy spin on the traditional margarita, but she also shows you how to make some tasty variations with seasonal ingredients like fresh beets, limes and spicy jalapeños.
2. Try salsa dancing.
If you’ve never his the dance floor at a salsa class, maybe 2020 is the year to try one from home! There are plenty of beginner-friendly classes, so it doesn’t matter if you’ve got two left feet. You’ll burn major calories and shake your hips like never before. Salsa Con Todo is offering online classes. You can learn to spice up your salsa (dance) virtually from La Clave Cubana. Check out Salsa N’ Seattle which is offering online classes.
3. Whip up some fresh guacamole.
Avocados pack healthy monounsaturated fats, which means they’ll keep you full and happy. They’re also full of vitamins and potassium. Try this guacamole recipe from Portland’s own Mi Mero Mole, which features fresh spring onions. Just be sure to pair it with baked — not fried — tortillas. Or better yet, veggies.
4. Eat this, not that.
If you’re ordering from a Mexican restaurant for the night, do it right. First off, skip the nachos and start with fresh ceviche or tortilla soup. For the entrée, opt for veggies or chicken over beef, and don’t be fooled by the tortilla salad. The lettuce and toppings are generally fine, but skip the giant fried tortilla shell it comes in.
5. Spice things up!
Jalapeño peppers bring a lot of health benefits to the plate, so as far as we’re concerned, the spicier your dinner, the better. They’re a good source of vitamin C (18 percent of the recommended dietary allowance for men; 23 percent for women), vitamin A (17 percent of the recommended dietary allowance for men; 22 percent for women) and capsaicin, which helps promote blood flow and boosts calorie burn. Peppers also have some anti-oxidant qualities.
Now, get out there and have a great (and healthy) time!
