Dieting In Mexico

OK. Let's start with the obvious. Some would say, "what are you doing dieting on vacation?". A little more than
a year ago I lost 30 and my wife lost 40 pounds dieting, exercising and just eating right. She now has the
nickname Twiggy. Once you have slimmed down to your proper weight, you do not want to let it go.

The diet I concocted was half calorie counting and half health conscience. We would eat lots of fruits,
vegetables, and salads all the time while paying attention to daily calories. The cool thing about the diet is that
you could save up your calories for your own evening pleasures. Mine was beer.

What I quickly noticed was that even though I drank more beer in Mexico than I did in the US normally (it's
called a vacation!), I would come home lighter. Go figure. Sure we got more exercise than normal and that
helps, but it was just too easy an explanation. As it turns out, the beer in Mexico, Corona, Pacifico, and Dos
XX's is less in Calories. I would call this a monumental find. Although I am not through with my Scientific study,
I am sure of it. In fact, Corona in the States (roughly 166 calories) is completely different than Corona in Mexico
(roughly 100 calories). Do the comparison yourselves and you will see, with or without a lime.

So some trips we would just eat whatever we wanted to and dealt with it when we got home. Other trips we paid
attention and ate more fish, salads, and fruits. If you want your salad dressing on the side, ask for it. Generally,
the restaurants serve extremely healthy and fresh meals with salads, vegetables and your choice of entry.

As far as fruits, vegetables, and salads in general, I bet you did not realize what a farm the Baja is. Everything
is fresher because refrigeration cost money. Many of the fruits and vegetables you eat just came from the farm
around the bend. Although much of the Baja is arid, the other half is a farm or wine field. I do not know what it is
now, but a few years ago San Quintin just five hours south of the border on the Pacific side produced 25 % of
the US's tomatoes. Check out the farms on the way to the beach houses.

As far as fish is concerned, it is the mainstay of almost every restaurant in the Baja. Surrounded by water, the
Baja is one big catch. So stick to the 7-10 calorie shrimp and you will be fine. Or maybe the 70 Calorie filet.
Watch out for the creamy soups even though they are to die for. As far as the Salsa is concerned it is low cal.
Just limit the number of tortilla chips.

Finally the Tortillas. No matter where you have them they are so much better than the US. The corn are low
calorie, but the flour are the best. We try to limit it to just one.

The only thing you have to eat which is not so low in calories are the beans and rice. The rice is not so bad, but
the beans are a little high. They are great for protein, you just have to limit your portions. They must be eaten
however, since we have nothing like it in the US. Do not compare beans and rice in your local Mexican
restaurant. There really is not comparison so eat them at least once.

Last is the infamous diet coke with a piece of chocolate cake. Just kidding. Coka Light is the equivalent of our
diet coke. It actually taste a little better down there.

I hope this helps if you are on a diet. The restaurant choices down there are so good, many of our guests go out
for every meal. Don't forget the Beach Houses all have stocked kitchens so you can bring, buy or make
whatever you want including our Baja Recipes.