3 Smart Swaps for #TacoTuesday

Revised May 2021

Three out of four Americans like Mexican cuisine best, but the Americanized adaptations tend to go heavy on the salt, lard, and cheese. 

With a few simple tweaks, you can turn your fiesta favorites into delicious treats that are packed with healthy nutrients for your teeth and gums, eyes and overall health. 

Mango Margaritas

Thanks to premade syrups and mixes, guzzling a glass of frozen green goodness can be a gut buster. One-quarter cup of sweet and sour mix has at least 17 grams of sugar, sometimes more. It’s no secret that sugar is anything but sweet for healthy teeth.

So make like Taylor Swift and shake, shake, shake, shake, shake it off! The sugary mix from your margarita, that is. It’s gonna be alright with this favorite recipe full on fruit and without added sugar. 

On your mark, get set, manGO!

• One 10-ounce bag frozen diced mango 
• 1 cup tequila (preferably silver, 80 proof) 
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 
• 1/2 tablespoon orange extract 
• 1 tablespoon sugar substitute, such as agave 
• 2 cups crushed ice

Combine ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Smile-Friendly Salsa

You may want to sit down for this, hamburgers and hotdogs. For almost 30 years, salsa has trumped ketchup as America’s favorite condiment. The flavorful table sauce can be a touchdown for teeth if you make it without enamel-harming acids. 

• 1 large tomato 
• 1/2 green pepper, diced 
• 1/4 small onion, diced 
• 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, diced 
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt or sea salt

Combine all ingredients in a food processor until slightly chunky.

Top-It Taco Bar

Lean meats, flavorfully seasoned, will fire up your fiesta more than refried beans and full-fat cheeses. Plus, the calcium and phosphorus in lean proteins can help healthy mouths thrive. Serve with smile-friendly salsa (recipe above) to round out your Tuesday meal with great taste and plenty of vitamins—top choices for healthy teeth and teeth and tummy.

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or lean protein of your choice)
• 1 packet low-sodium taco seasoning 
• 1/4 cup water 
•  Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling 

1. In a medium-size skillet over medium-high heat, drizzle olive oil.

2. Once pan is warm, brown chicken in pan.

3. Add taco seasoning and water. Stir until thickened.

4. Top with Smile-Friendly Salsa (recipe above)

Check out our blog for other smile-friendly recipes and valuable tips for healthy living. https://www.deltadentalar.com/resources/blog