Mexican cuisine has gained an international acclaim due to its varied taste, pleasing flavors, unique cooking style, and a soul-pleasing aroma. Many fusion cuisines and variations had emerged in the recent past. However, the basic method of cooking, ingredients, and basic recipes have all remained the same. The native food of Mexico has become so popular that many fast-food chains have also started serving it. In fact, many fast-food chains serving only this cuisine have also emerged. Before we try to understand the nutritional value of this cuisine, let's have a look at some of its key ingredients. Ingredients Mexican food, that we eat today, is actually a fusion of Spanish and South American food. During the time when Spain had invaded America, the Mexicans and South Americans principally relied on a diet of corn, vegetables, herbs, and chilies. Even today, the basic ingredients of this cuisine include corn, beans, and a variety of herbs. The herbs, that are used to give a particular conditioning, do not account for a majority of calories. The major chunk of calories come from beans, corn, and meat. Most of the food items are prepared from 'masa', a dough made from cornmeal, which has a high calorie content. In some cases, masa also refers to corn dough or wheat flour dough. The Spanish invaders, in the 15^th century, had introduced a whole new variety of food products, such as rice, meat, cattle, and heavy cheese to the people of South America, thus, establishing a distinct influence over South American and Mexican food culture. Calorie chart The following table enlists the number of calories present in different food items.

Food Item	Calories
Quesadilla	650
Tortilla chips and guacamole	590
Nachos	1,000
Tortilla chips and salsa	515
Barbecue ribs	360
Potato skins with sour cream	565
Chicken wings with barbecue dip	520
Vegetable fajitas	810
Beef fajitas	1,300
Caesar salad	535
Chicken burrito	600
Chicken enchilada	700
Chicken chimichanga	675

Despite being loaded with calories, the food in this cuisine is extremely rich in proteins, vitamins, and carbohydrates. In order to minimize the calories, dietitians often recommend many alternative cooking methods. Some useful tips have been listed below:

• Usage of low-fat oil for cooking
• Using brown rice
• Using whole wheat tacos and tortillas
• Opting to grill food instead of frying

The above-mentioned methods have proved to be effective in reducing the amount of calories to a great extent. The calorie intake can also be cut down by including more salads and vegetarian food in the diet. If you are following some kind of a specific diet, then you need to cut down on consuming fried Mexican food. Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.