2 Low Calorie Mexican Sides for Weight Loss | Cactus Salad & Cauliflower Pico de Gallo

Written By Vanessa Carrillo, BS

Are you trying to find a way to balance out those Friday night tacos? This is your sign to try cactus and brag to your friends that you have a sophisticated palate. Its taste is mild-- similar to green pepper, green bean, or asparagus! Its texture after being cooked is tender and its color will be slightly darker (very normal). When was the last time you tried something new? 

Image taken by Vanessa Carrillo

Health Benefits: High in fiber, antioxidants, vitamin c, a, iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, and omega-3


Ingredients 

  • 4 Cacti

  • 3 tomatoes 

  • ⅓ cup of yellow onion 

  • 1 bunch of cilantro 

  • 1 jalapeno

  • Juice of 1 lime

  • Salt to taste 

  • Low fat queso fresco (optional)



Directions: Remove spines from cactus, then boil cactus until fork tender. Let the cactus cool before slicing. Chop up veggies and mix 

Tip: Keep seeds of jalapeno to make it spicy 

How to cut and peel a cactus (starts at 0:17):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjFE2_OrXlU




Cauliflower Pico de Gallo

Hated cauliflower rice? Let’s revamp cauliflower into a bright, fresh, and flavorful side dish that doesn’t have to replace a food. It’s easy to make-- all you need is a bowl and a knife. 


How it helps with weight loss: Cauliflower and the other veg are very low in calories! Making this a very filling side that can fit perfectly in your calorie needs 

Ingredients 

  • ½ Cauliflower head

  • 3 Tomatoes

  • ⅓ Cup of yellow onion 

  • 1 bunch of cilantro 

  • 1 Jalapeno

  • Juice of 1 lime

  • Salt to taste 

  • Low fat queso fresco (optional)


    Directions: Chop everything up and mix 

Tip: Keep seeds of jalapeno to make it spicy

Who doesn’t love low-calorie versions of their Mexican food favorites? The Millennial Nutritionist has plenty of advice on navigating low-calorie options in any food genre. Sound interesting to you? Click here to learn more about The Millennial Nutritionist and its services to support you in your weight loss journey.

About the Author

Vanessa Carrillo BS Nutritional Science 

Contributing Editor 

Vanessa is a Chicago-based community nutritionist. She has a BS in Nutritional Science from Iowa State University. 

She enjoys writing about Latino food, trendy health products, and pop culture. She writes, edits, and creates content for The Millennial Nutritionist. If she’s not working, you can find her running with her Husky along Chicago’s lakefront path. Catch more of her on The Millennial Nutritionist Podcast.

Recipe Round UpVanessa Carrillo