Here at Sizzling Shell, we love tacos, obviously we are a Mexican restaurant. But we also know they have a reputation as “junk food” or “cheat meals.” But the truth is nothing like this. Tacos make for a creative and satisfying meal. It contains some protein, some veggies too and carbs. Add some things according to your dietary needs and it becomes a balanced meal. And it’s not those forced alternatives like how people turn a burger into a healthy meal by removing the buns. Tacos are naturally better with grilled meat and fresh veggies.
When it comes to tacos, people have all the opinions. People call them cheat meals, midnight regrets. And yes, sometimes it’s true — like take those overly cheesy ones as an example. But let’s be honest for a second, if you actually think about it and what’s inside, it’s kind of genius. Just like a Beef Cheese Quesadilla, the tortilla gives you energy, the grilled protein keeps you full, and the veggies sneak in fiber. So now what do you think? Isn’t it a healthier but flavorful meal? Sure, there are sauces that make your tongue water, but as a food to eat a handful of times in a month, it’s pretty balanced.
The tortilla is usually the first thing people pick to criticize when we call tacos balanced and some even give side-eyes. Carbohydrates get blamed for being the most unhealthy. But people forget you still need them in moderation. And your body actually needs energy to function and the carbs in tortillas do that job well. They make the meal filling and give an instantaneous energy boost. They help your body process what else you’re eating. Instead you don’t have to rummage through your drawer for a snack just an hour later. Without the tortilla, the taco loses the nutritional balance and taste, too. A healthy meal doesn’t mean carbs are the enemy. The point is to use them properly, and tacos do.
This is where tacos go from being just a snack to an actual meal. Be it chicken, beef, or even our Fried Zucchini Taco and seafood options, the protein in all of them is really helping you fulfil the body’s needs. The fact is that protein stabilizes blood sugar — it satisfies you for a long time and keeps frequent hunger out of the room. This ingredient works along with the tortilla, which is why tacos, unlike other junk foods, don’t usually lead to energy crashes. At least ours don’t. You’re not eating empty calories — this handheld food keeps your tummy filled with a heavy, satisfying feeling.
We know tacos aren’t drowning with vegetables and that’s fine. Eating healthy is not about eating all the greens you can find it’s about eating in moderation. The onions, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, all these veg are definitely there but in small quantities. They can be in the form of salsa or guac or they can be hidden in the sauce. We know fiber matters for proper digestion. And in terms of taste a kick of Freshness also goes a long way. These ingredients keep the meal from leaning too far into rich territory. In a taco, they balance the fats and help your body process everything else. You can feel when fiber is missing, but with our Mexican food you just feel better after your midnight indulgence.
Second to the tortilla, these are some ingredients that are commonly misunderstood. Eating fats is not the problem. In fact, they’re what make tacos balanced and a guilt-free meal. For those who don’t know, fats exist to slow digestion and to help absorb vitamins. Plus they make your tummy satisfied and you don’t get that feeling “there is something missing but even though my stomach has not even a tiny bit of space.” So understanding sauces, cheese, sour cream, all these seemingly un-nutritional ingredients, they complete the taco. Even if you take some of those things out, yes the meal might still make you full. But it doesn’t really feel complete.
Most of the time, it’s not the taco itself. It’s the other things that come with it. Some places make them too cheesy and some too dry. And obviously neither is good. Sometimes the problem is, the size makes it easier to gulp in just 2 bites so you end up eating too fast. And usually people like to order late-night and then blame the food instead of their habits. But when this Mexican food is eaten thoughtfully, it checks more nutritional boxes than one can expect.
We’re not pretending they are healthy. But if you eat in moderation like eating twice a month it can be a pretty balanced meal. It’s because they’re just naturally balanced when they’re made well. Grilled meat means no deep frying, no excess oil. If you’re curious, drop by Sizzling Shell sometime and try the Diablo taco or whatever you’re in the mood for today.
