Healthy Mexican Food: Fresh and Nutritious Options

When many people think about going out for Mexican food, they picture a very heavy meal. They think about giant plates covered in melted cheese, large flour tortillas, and heavy cream sauces that leave you feeling sleepy for the rest of the afternoon. But that is not what real Mexican food is all about.

At its core, traditional Mexican food is incredibly fresh, balanced, and full of natural nutrition. It relies on simple, whole foods like beans, corn, lean meats, and plenty of fresh vegetables. At El Famous Burrito, we make it easy for our customers in Lombard, Glendale Heights, and Wheeling to enjoy healthy mexican food without ever sacrificing the bold, savory flavors that made us famous.

In this article, we are going to break down how to eat smart at our restaurants. We will show you which ingredients are the best for your body, how to customize your order to fit your diet, and why eating healthy does not mean you have to eat boring food.

Breaking the Myth: Why Mexican Food is Naturally Healthy

The secret to a healthy diet is eating real, whole foods instead of highly processed meals. When you look at the basic building blocks of our menu at El Famous Burrito, you will see ingredients that doctors and nutritionists recommend eating every day.

The Power of Mexican Beans

Beans are one of the healthiest foods on the planet. They are packed with plant-based protein and are very high in dietary fiber. Fiber is important because it keeps your digestive system moving, helps control your blood sugar, and keeps you feeling full for a long time. Unlike some restaurants that use canned beans loaded with preservatives, we cook our beans slowly from scratch every single day. This keeps them natural, healthy, and full of traditional flavor.

Good Fats from Fresh Avocados

A lot of people try to avoid all fats when they are eating healthy, but your body actually needs good fats to function properly. Avocados are full of monounsaturated fats, which are known to be great for your heart. When you add a scoop of our homemade guacamole or fresh slices of avocado to your meal, you are giving your body a healthy boost of energy. Plus, the creamy texture of avocado is a great replacement for heavy cheeses or sour cream.

Salsas: Maximum Flavor, Zero Fat

If you want to add a ton of flavor to your food without adding extra calories, salsa is your best friend. Our salsas are made from fresh tomatoes, tomatillos, onions, cilantro, and chilies. These ingredients are full of vitamins, particularly Vitamin C, and antioxidants. Because we make our salsas fresh in our kitchens, they do not have the added sugars or preservatives found in bottled dressings. You can pour our salsa over your entire meal and barely add any calories.

How to Build a Healthy Meal at Our Restaurants

The best part about eating at El Famous Burrito is that you have total control over your plate. We build your meal right in front of you, which means you can tell us exactly what you want and what you want to skip. Here are the smartest ways to order low calorie mexican food the next time you visit us.

1. The Burrito Bowl Strategy

Our burritos are legendary, but the large flour tortilla used to wrap them holds a lot of carbohydrates and calories. If you are watching your weight or cutting back on carbs, the easiest change you can make is ordering your meal as a "Burrito Bowl."

When you order a bowl, we put all the great inside ingredients—the meat, the rice, the beans, and the fresh toppings—into a dish instead of a tortilla. You get all the filling, savory flavors of a burrito but with a much lighter finish. It is a favorite choice for office workers in Lombard who want a fast lunch that keeps them energized.

2. Choosing the Right Protein

We offer several lean protein options that fit perfectly into a healthy diet:

• Grilled Chicken (Pollo): Chicken is naturally low in fat and high in protein. We marinate ours in traditional spices and grill it, so it stays juicy without needing heavy sauces.

• Carne Asada (Grilled Steak): Steak is a great source of iron and protein. Because we cook our steak quickly over a hot grill, much of the excess fat renders off, leaving you with a lean, smoky piece of meat.

• Seafood: If you are visiting our Wheeling location, our fish and shrimp are excellent choices. Seafood is light, easy to digest, and full of healthy minerals.

3. Load Up on the Vegetables

Do not be shy about asking for vegetables. You can bulk up the size of your meal without adding calories by asking for extra lettuce, extra tomatoes, and plenty of fresh cilantro and onions. These vegetables add a great crunch to your food and provide extra water and fiber to help fill you up.

4. Skip the Dairy

Cheese and sour cream taste great, but they are the main reasons why Mexican food can become heavy. If you want a truly healthy meal, simply ask us to leave the cheese and sour cream off your order. Replace that creamy texture with a scoop of fresh guacamole or a spoonful of our green salsa instead.

Can Tacos Be Healthy?

Yes, tacos can be a very healthy meal! A lot of people think they have to give up tacos if they are on a diet, but that is simply not true. By making a few smart choices at our Glendale Heights or Lombard locations, you can enjoy a taco night that fits right into your health goals.

• Always Choose Corn Tortillas: Corn tortillas are the traditional way to eat tacos in Mexico. They are naturally gluten-free, made from whole grains, and are lower in calories than flour tortillas.

• Order "Street Style": The classic Mexican street taco is topped with nothing but chopped white onions and fresh cilantro. This style has very few calories compared to the "American style" taco, which comes loaded with cheese.

• Pace Yourself: Two or three corn tacos with grilled chicken, onions, cilantro, and fresh salsa make a perfectly balanced, portion-controlled meal.

Healthy Menu Standouts

If you are looking at our menu and want to know the absolute best items to order for your health, here are our top recommendations.

Caldo de Pollo (Chicken Soup)

This is one of the most nutritious items we serve. It is a traditional, clear chicken broth filled with large pieces of lean chicken and big chunks of fresh vegetables like carrots and zucchini. It is hydrating, very low in fat, and full of vitamins. It is the perfect healthy comfort food.

The Fiesta Taco Salad (Without the Shell)

Our taco salad is a massive bed of fresh, crisp lettuce topped with your choice of meat, beans, and fresh vegetables. To make it a super healthy choice, just ask us to serve it in a regular bowl instead of the fried flour tortilla shell. Use our fresh salsa as your salad dressing, and you have a huge, healthy meal.

The Veggie Burrito (or Bowl)

For our vegetarian and vegan customers, our Veggie Burrito is loaded with rice, slow-cooked beans, lettuce, tomatoes, and fresh avocado. It provides all the protein and healthy fats you need without any meat.

Visit Our Local Restaurants

We believe that eating healthy should be easy, convenient, and delicious. We make sure that our ingredients are fresh and our kitchens are clean so that you can feel good about what you are eating. We are proud to serve healthy options to our local communities every day.

El Famous Burrito Lombard

Our Lombard store is located right on a busy road, making it a fast and easy stop for a healthy lunch or dinner.

• Address: 256 W. Roosevelt Road, Lombard, IL 60148

• Phone: (630) 613-8460

• Hours: Monday: 10:30 am – 8:30 pm, Tuesday – Saturday: 10:30 am – 10:00 pm, Sunday: 11:30 am – 8:30 pm.

El Famous Burrito Glendale Heights

Located right in the center of the neighborhood, our Glendale Heights location is a great spot for families. We have healthy options that both kids and adults will love.

• Address: 1165 Bloomingdale Rd, Glendale Heights, IL 60139

• Phone: (630) 682-5882

• Hours: Monday: 10:30 am – 8:30 pm, Tuesday – Saturday: 10:30 am – 10:00 pm, Sunday: 11:30 am – 8:30 pm.

El Famous Burrito Wheeling

For our customers in the northern suburbs, our Wheeling location offers the exact same fresh menu. It is an easy place to pick up a nutritious dinner on your way home.

• Address: 236 McHenry Road, Wheeling, IL 60090

• Hours: Check our website or Google for the most current daily hours.

FAQ Section

1. What is the healthiest thing to order at El Famous Burrito?

Our Caldo de Pollo (Chicken Soup) or a Burrito Bowl with grilled chicken, extra beans, and fresh salsa are among the most nutritious and balanced options on our menu.

2. Are your beans healthy?

Yes! Our beans are cooked slowly from scratch. They provide essential fiber and protein, making them a very heart-healthy choice for any meal.

3. Is Mexican rice good for a diet?

Our rice is cooked using traditional methods. While it is a carbohydrate that gives you energy, you can easily lower the carbs in your meal by asking for extra lettuce or extra beans instead of rice.

4. How can I lower the calories in a taco salad?

The easiest way to cut calories from the taco salad is to order it without the fried flour tortilla shell. You can also skip the sour cream and use our fresh salsa as your dressing.

5. Do you have gluten-free options?

Yes. Our corn tortillas, grilled meats, rice, and beans are naturally gluten-free. Ordering a Burrito Bowl or street-style corn tacos is a great way to avoid gluten. Please let our staff know if you have a severe allergy.