I was never really a fan of tacos until I met David. I mean, I liked tacos, I just never considered them a staple for dinner. David on the other hand, could live happily on only tacos. In our wedding vows, he even tried to require that tacos be served for dinner at least once a week.

Just kidding 🙂

There’s no need for that because I’ve come to love these gems myself. They’re easy to prepare, fun to eat and are absolutely delicious. Who doesn’t love the taste and texture of beans, veggies, herbs and sauce all delivered in just one bite?

Here’s what we packed in our 6-inch whole wheat tortilla’s last night:

black beans — using canned black beans is a huge time saver. Just be sure to drain and rinse to reduce the sodium content.

sauteed onions & bell peppers — a classic fajita topper. Onions are rich in quercetin, a flavonoid shown to improve cardiovascular health, and whose levels are stable when heated. Lightly saute them with some garlic and you’ve got a tasty and healthy taco topper.

purple cabbage — we often use this instead of lettuce. It offers more crunch and - you guessed it - more nutrition. Cabbage is part of the cruciferous family (like broccoli, kale, cauliflower, etc) and contains high levels of glucosinolates, compounds that eliminate carcinogens from the body before they can damage DNA, which would otherwise initiate cancer growth. Pretty powerful stuff.

cilantro and scallion — We both agree that the cilantro and scallion duo add an amazing level of freshness that is not to be missed. To leave these off the list on taco night is unacceptable.

cumin yogurt — a tasty alternative to sour cream. We don’t always keep sour cream in the house, but we do always have plain greek yogurt. Mix a little sriracha and cumin into your yogurt a viola - you’ve got a sauce that will take your tacos to another level.

The typical taco meal at your local Mexican joint can easily rack up the calories — meat, cheese, sour cream, queso, flour tortilla. Yes, they are delicious and I’ll never tell you to quit eating them. But when you bring taco night into your own home, go the extra steps to make it healthier by adding some vegetables and maybe going meatless. It will keep your calories in check (if you’re watching your weight) and provide the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. Below is an infographic I created with tips for making your taco night healthier. Enjoy!