High-Protein Ground Turkey Nachos

Weight loss doesn’t have to mean giving up your favorite foods, and one of mine are nachos. In middle school, the first thing I would do when I came home was take a handful of tortilla chips, throw a bunch of shredded cheese on them, and microwave them until they were nice and gooey. Now, I can do that in a different way. Instead of restricting and denying myself those delicious nachos, I decide to ADD protein and high-volume, high-satiety foods to transform nachos from a fleeting snack into a nutritious and filling meal.

Living as a college student, I try to minimize spending and maximize how long the food I buy lasts. I don’t usually buy tortilla chips, so my solution is always to cut up whatever tortillas I have on hand and air fry them for a healthier option. That way, I am eating lighter, using my groceries, and not wasting money on tortilla chips that are single-use.

You can substitute any meat you have on hand, and for me, ground turkey was what was easiest and what I wanted today. All you need is the base, and adding your protein of choice just elevates this dish and makes it the anabolic masterpiece that it is. This is one of my favorite recipes yet, and after testing it a couple of times with different tortillas and meat and toppings, this specific recipe is by far the tastiest, more satiating, and the easiest to make.

CALORIES AND MACROS:

CALORIES: 442 calories

CARBOHYDRATES: 41.3 grams

FAT: 18.2 grams

PROTEIN: 53 grams

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 mission carb balance tortillas

• 4 ounces 99% Lean Ground Turkey

• Taco seasoning

• 28 grams (1/4 cup) shredded mexican blend cheese

• Romaine lettuce, roughly chopped

• Handful of cherry tomatoes, diced

• 2 tablespoons salsa of choice

RECIPE:

1. Preheat your oven to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Take your two tortillas and make them into a chip shape by cutting them like a pizza. Layer in a pan with some cooking spray and pop them in the oven for about 5-7 minutes or until desired crisp.

3. Cook down your turkey meat and add your seasonings once cooked through. Add a couple tablespoons of water to allow the seasonings to stick if needed.

4. Transfer chips to a microwave-safe dish and place your shredded cheese. If you are cooking the turkey/protein of choice fresh for the meal, there is no need to microwave it.

5. Microwave your nachos for 30 seconds to get cheese melted.

6. Top with your ground turkey, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa of choice, and enjoy!

CLOSING

The greatest recipes I have created and used during my weight loss journey are those that mimic foods I used to enjoy before I began counting calories. Pizza, nachos, tacos, sandwiches: they can all be modified to fit your specific caloric needs. And the greatest part, especially with this recipe, is that they taste so good while being packed with protein and nutrients that are so good for your body. My favorite part of this adventure is being able to redefine “healthy” food and transform it into palatable, enjoyable, and most importantly delicious meals. As always, see you all next time!