Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that a group of taco lovers in Austin, Texas, created a “cleanse” that’s basically about stuffing your face with tacos – after all, in America, around 4.5 billion tacos are enjoyed every year.
Australia has joined the Mexican wave, with more than 700,000 kilograms of tortillas shipped to our shores in 2015 alone and Mexican restaurants and food on the rise.
The Taco Cleanse is a tongue-in-cheek response to the diet industry that encourages taco enthusiasts to eat, live and breathe all things taco. Possibly with a margherita in hand. “The empowering, guilt-free and soul-satisfying journey you're about to take your body and mind through will be not only supremely delicious, but also life-changing,” says contributor to The Taco Cleanse book, Laura Beck.
The website makes it clear that while the recipes are real, the attitude is firmly on the side of fun: “Are you looking to grow a beard? The Taco Cleanse has been shown to produce a glorious beard for the formerly hairless!”, it proclaims. But wait, there’s more: "Your chakras will become realigned into an optimal taco pattern.” And “Your life will become more fun and you will make more friends while consuming the required margarita supplements on the plan.” You get the idea.
Actor Jennifer Aniston was apparently a fan, and there's even a whole swathe of Pinterest boards dedicated to the taco cleanse.
But, seriously, can tacos, really be eaten 24/7 for a month as part of a cleanse? Accredited Practising Dietitian Natasha Murray, who lived in Paraguay for two years, says no. “Anything that promotes a cleanse or detox, is a red flag to me,” she tells SBS. “Instead, we should focus on eating a variety of foods, enjoying those, and ensuring you're eating from the five food groups.”
However, she says, “Mexican food is great. Whether you're eating tacos, fajitas or beans, it's a really good opportunity to get extra veg and beans in your diet. Keep an eye on the serving sizes of refried beans, but toppings, such as lettuce, tomato, corn, jalapeno, capsicum and chilli, are ideal. They provide a wide range of colour and vegetables, which means that you're getting a good variety of vitamins and minerals.”
Two kinds of cabbage, carrots and coriander add pep to these easy fish tacos (tacos de pescado).
Fish tacos. Source: SBS Food
When you're choosing toppings, try for healthier options. “You need to make sure you're choosing a lower-fat cheese, and use it for taste and flavour,” she says. “Cheese is high in saturated fat, which we need to limit in our diet.” She suggests using a natural yoghurt rather than a full-fat sour cream. “Natural yoghurt contains calcium and protein, and is low in calories, compared to sour cream.”
So while a “taco cleanse” gets a thumbs down, the good news is that tacos do have some health benefits, as Murray explains:
1.They are high in fibre
“Tacos are great because you can get a variety of food sources into one meal, whether it's meat, legumes or beans, and [aim for] at least four different vegetables,” she says. “Veg is a good source of fibre, which we don't tend to eat enough of. Australian adults should aim for 30 grams of fibre a day.”
2. Even those with wheat allergies can eat them
“Taco shells tend to made from corn, so they're great for those with coeliac disease,” she says. For those who can eat wheat, “[Soft] Wheat tortilla, are another way to get whole grains in your diet, and contain vitamins, minerals and fibre.”
Use Pati Jinich's gluten-free corn tortillas to make her tacos al pastor or get creative with your own fillings.
Tacos al pastor. Source: Pati's Mexican Table
3. It's ideal for vegans or meatless Mondays
Vegans generally consume more health-friendly fruit and vegetables than the meat-eating population and tacos make an excellent meat-free option. If you're eating vegan meals, it's important to make sure you're getting good quality protein sources. “These include soy, nuts and legumes,” Murray says. “Speak to an Accredited Practising Dietitian to make sure you're on the right track.”
4. Eating what you love is good for you
“We know that when we deprive ourselves of a particular food it becomes a wanted item,” says Murray. “There is no such thing as forbidden food. Instead, enjoy your food and be aware of what you're eating. Sit down, with friends or family, turn the TV and enjoy your meal and company.”
5. It's social
“The social aspect around eating, especially meals like tacos, cannot be played down,” she says. “When you eat a shared meal, such as tacos or pizza, or salad bowls, friend and family come together. And people who eat in company, eat better and are healthier.”
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