In honour of World Taco Day on October 4^th, today we are talking about, you guessed it, tacos!

Though typically perceived as a quick and cost effective meal, tacos can be, and actually are quite healthy. In fact, this is perhaps the one thing we forget. Yes, they’re fun, flavourful and delicious, but they’re also pretty good for you.

Forget about the fast-food chains and takeouts we’ve so become accustomed to where tacos are concerned. Like most things, tacos can be healthy if healthy ingredients are used, and they can be lower in sodium and calories if homemade, and they do provide a good dose of vitamins and minerals in the form of fresh vegetables as well as fruits such as limes or mangoes.

To find out more about how and why tacos are good choice for you, please read on for our 10 Reasons Why…

10 Reasons Why we Should Eat More Tacos

1. Fresh ingredients: When made from scratch, most homemade tacos use fresh and healthy ingredients. Therefore, if you factor in the protein from the meat, vitamins and minerals from the vegetables, fats from the guacamole and carbohydrates from your choice of taco, you are actually getting a perfectly well-balanced meal.
2. Good for breakfast: Simply pile on some beans or eggs (or both!) for your protein choice and you have yourself a perfectly balanced breakfast to kickstart your day. Also, did you know that a homemade taco is probably a lot healthier than your favourite cereal? Due to its protein and low sugar content, a breakfast taco works better as a hunger crushing, satiating first meal of the day.
3. Fuller for longer: We’ve already covered that tacos make for a balanced meal, which in turn, makes for a more filling meal that keeps you going for hours. This is especially due to the high content of protein and healthy fats such as avocados that work as excellent hunger crushing combos, making you less likely to snack throughout the day.
4. Healthier Hearts: This is particularly true of fish tacos, assuming that you are not opting for a deep fried version. We all know that fish are a good source of Omega 3, which is proven to improve heart health and reduce overall inflammation in the body.
5. Opt for spicy if you can: Assuming that you are using fresh chili peppers, which is quite a prominent ingredient in many Mexican dishes. These are generally high in vitamins and minerals, namely in vitamins B, E, A, K, as well as magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, and potassium. So, next time you’re wondering if you should go for a spicier option, don’t hesitate!
6. Great for meal planning: Though not a direct physical health benefit, the peace of mind it offers definitely makes for less stress and in turn, a healthier more chilled out individual. If you are one for meal planning, tacos are definitely something you should be adding to your rotation, as all ingredients can easily be prepped and stored ahead of time, then assembled as and when needed. One tip, store each ingredient separately, making it easier to have more variety when it comes time to eat.
7. Diet friendly and easily adaptable: Depending on your goals, whether it is to lose weight, reduce gluten or simply to cut back on calories, tacos are great because they can be easily adaptable. Need to drop a few KGs? Have a taco for lunch! The hunger crushing combo means you’ll be snacking less throughout the day, meaning that you’ll be consuming less calories overall. Intolerant to gluten? Easy! Either opt for a gluten free taco or make yourself a taco bowl with rice or quinoa as a base. Going Keto? Also easy, opt for a keto friendly taco bowl and use hearty greens such as kale or cabbages as a base. The possibilities are vast and endless.
8. Great for gatherings: Since the ingredients are easy to prepare, tacos work well for a fun night in with friends. Whether you decide to assemble them yourself or opt for a make-your-own-taco night, we promise your guests will leave feeling both full and elated.
9. Kids love them! The adaptability and ease of preparation means that they make for great weeknight meals as well as healthy school snacks – in short, fun for the whole family.
10. Tacos are good for the soul: Meaning that they are also excellent for our overall health and well-being. In addition to being a healthy, well-balanced meal, tacos also work great as a hearty and delicious comfort food, making you feel good both inside and out.

Just some food for thought!

Celebrate World Taco Day this week with some great recipes now available on yufeed!