Eating BBQ and TexMex "health-ily" (Austin, Mesquite: food, best)

[cBach]

Okay, so I love me some BBQ and TexMex, I think it's one of the best things about Texas.

Lately however I've been having to watch my diet. For instance my doctor said that I should be eating lean brisket instead of fatty brisket. That being said, which place has the "tastiest leanest brisket" for those watching our waste lines? Take Franklin's for instance, it's drenched in fat, I can't do that anymore.

For TexMex, which enchiladas have the fewest calories and which sauce? The problem is there are so many choices. The enchiladas can be beef steak, ground beef, chicken, shredded pork, or cheese. The sauces are TexMex, mole, verde (tomatillo), sour cream, chipotle, & traditional red. I've tried to find out but I find conflicting evidence about which sauces are lowest calories.

For beans, I think black beans are the healthiest among refried, charro, and black but it seems not many places know how to cook them properly. Which places do black beans the best? Also, the Spanish rice can have greatly varying caloric differences. Which place has the lowest calorie rice but also the tastiest.

I'm not converting to vegetarianism or anything, still like my meat but trying to eat a little more healthy as I get "long in the tooth".

[Austin97]

I think the doctors are wrong. The fat = cholesterol idea has been disproven.

The key is to drop carbs. In fact the balance of fat and protein is what keeps you full.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by cBach

Okay, so I love me some BBQ and TexMex, I think it's one of the best things about Texas.

Lately however I've been having to watch my diet. For instance my doctor said that I should be eating lean brisket instead of fatty brisket. That being said, which place has the "tastiest leanest brisket" for those watching our waste lines? Take Franklin's for instance, it's drenched in fat, I can't do that anymore.

For TexMex, which enchiladas have the fewest calories and which sauce? The problem is there are so many choices. The enchiladas can be beef steak, ground beef, chicken, shredded pork, or cheese. The sauces are TexMex, mole, verde (tomatillo), sour cream, chipotle, & traditional red. I've tried to find out but I find conflicting evidence about which sauces are lowest calories.

For beans, I think black beans are the healthiest among refried, charro, and black but it seems not many places know how to cook them properly. Which places do black beans the best? Also, the Spanish rice can have greatly varying caloric differences. Which place has the lowest calorie rice but also the tastiest.

I'm not converting to vegetarianism or anything, still like my meat but trying to eat a little more healthy as I get "long in the tooth".

Wait. Don't I remember correctly that you are from Lousiana? In which case, for you, fat IS health food!

[austin-steve]

For me, I've just cut down the carbs and sugars, the amount I eat, and what I eat at a BBQ joint.

My favorite casual go-to BBQ are Green Mesquite on Barton Springs Rd and Rudy's on 360. Partly I just like the ritual and habit or going to those places, so recognizing that and not letting it be all about the food helps.

At Rudy's I've started ordering just 1/4 lb sliced turkey and a small beans. That actually hits the spot well enough. No sauce (too much sugar). If I'm really hungry, I order 1/2 chicken (which is 4 pieces cut up). Sometimes a 1/4 lb extra lean briquet, but I'm trying to stick to white meats, so pork, turkey, chicken.

At Green Mesquite same thing.

But 10% of the time I go ahead and eat what I want. I think moderation is actually just as important as what we eat. I've actually cut out meat most of the time also. I am probably vegetarian 75% of the time.

Steve

[centralaustinite]

Honestly, I think the turkey is the best thing at Rudy's although the sausage is good too (not healthy, don't get the sausage).

I've always preferred lean brisket, Stiles Switch is good. Like Austin-Steve we have primarily been a white meat only family for years, now we maybe have red meat 3-4 times a month. Obviously, at any Tex-Mex joint, avoid the sour cream! And the mole too. Stick to red sauce or green.

I've actually become a competitive master athlete, a nice benefit is that although I broadly eat healthy, I don't have to obsess too much over food choices. I do watch sugars pretty close though.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

For me, I've just cut down the carbs and sugars, the amount I eat, and what I eat at a BBQ joint.

My favorite casual go-to BBQ are Green Mesquite on Barton Springs Rd and Rudy's on 360. Partly I just like the ritual and habit or going to those places, so recognizing that and not letting it be all about the food helps.

At Rudy's I've started ordering just 1/4 lb sliced turkey and a small beans. That actually hits the spot well enough. No sauce (too much sugar). If I'm really hungry, I order 1/2 chicken (which is 4 pieces cut up). Sometimes a 1/4 lb extra lean briquet, but I'm trying to stick to white meats, so pork, turkey, chicken.

At Green Mesquite same thing.

But 10% of the time I go ahead and eat what I want. I think moderation is actually just as important as what we eat. I've actually cut out meat most of the time also. I am probably vegetarian 75% of the time.

Steve

To me, lean brisket is just roast beef...not that there's anything wrong with that.
Personally, I prefer the coleslaw as a side.
I wish Rudy's had the pulled pork withOUT sauce...WAY too much sauce on that.
I can't think there is too much sugar in the (table)sauce at Rudy's...it's too peppery for me.
If anyone is sodium sensitive, you gotta watch those dry rubs at just about any BBQ joint!

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Wait. Don't I remember correctly that you are from Lousiana? In which case, for you, fat IS health food!

That's funny, right there...I don't care who you are.


As the nurse once told me..."Eat what you want...Just don't eat it ALL !"

[ashbeeigh]

Why not go for Taco Salads? I usually get a taco salad with all the extra yummy stuff on top. My favorite (I know...don't shoot me) is Taco Cabana's Cabana bowl. You can pick and choose what you want on it. I eat primarily whole 30 so I just toss the shell, say no beans and then plead ignorance on the other ingredients (whoops).

[TexasHorseLady]

To be more serious, for TexMex try flautas. Plenty of flavor, not as much fat.



For 'cue, it's not 'cue if it's not beef or pork and I agree with above, lean brisket is roast beef. Pork ribs, maybe?

[karpo1]

Yep, just cut carbs, especially sugars. Fat is essential for life.