A Healthy Take On Tacos

Last night, I was craving tacos, but didn't want to feel guilty about the high calorie and sodium content normally associated with this delicious meal. However, with my trusty sidekick Google, I managed to find some ways to alter this favorite to be a bit more healthy.

What makes a good taco? The meat? The tortillas? Or the toppings? Regardless of your favorite part, these tacos will taste amazing!

Ingredients:

- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef (leanest you can find. I used 96% lean)
- La Banderita Low Carb Low Fat Soft Taco Tortillas
- Truly Natural salsa (medium)
- Fresh Tomatoes
- Shredded Lettuce
- Veggie Shreds Cheddar Flavor (if you still want to use real cheese, look for the lowest fat kind you can. Sargento makes a pretty good one that is close to the calorie/nutrient levels of Veggie Shreds).
- 3/4 cup water
- Seasonings
           - Chili Powder
           - Cayenne Pepper
           - Garlic Powder
           - Hot Pepper Sauce (basically any hot sauce you like)
           - Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
           - Onion Powder

* Add in any additional veggie toppings you like on your tacos (onions, jalapeños, etc).

Directions:

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet. Once it is browned, drain the meat to get rid of any excess fat/grease in the pan. 
2. Add hot sauce, water, and seasonings to the pan. Stir thoroughly. Let simmer for 20 minutes. 
3. While the meat is simmering, prepare your toppings. 
4. Once the meat is done, remove from stove and while still hot/warm, start assembling your tacos. 
5. Enjoy! 

Nutritional Info: 

1 taco, with tortilla, .5 oz ground beef, 1/8 cup cheese (veggie shreds, adjust if you used real cheese), 1/2 cup shredded lettuce, 3 slices worth of chopped tomatoes, and 2 tbsp of salsa. 

Calories: 156

Total Fat: 5g

Sat. Fat: 1g

Poly. Fat: 1g

Mono. Fat: 1g

Trans. Fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 9mg

Sodium: 507mg

Potassium: 41mg

Total Carbs: 15g

Dietary Fiber: 6g

Sugars: 2g

Protein: 12g