Cilantro-Lime Beef Tacos

The benefits are endless when it comes to vitamin C. You can find it in fresh fruits and vegetables or simply get it in pill form. It is crucial for keeping your body at its peak performance level.

Vitamin C protects your body from free-radical damage and reduces the stress hormone cortisol, which breaks down muscle and encourages fat storage. Strengthening your immune system is what it’s best known for, but vitamin C also helps increase iron absorption.

Limes are a great source of C and flavonoids that stimulate your digestive enzymes, easing constipation and nausea. Limes also fight fatigue, making them a helpful workout partner.

This recipe is the perfect combination of carbs and protein. It’s loaded with C.

Cilantro-Lime Beef Tacos

Steak

1 tablespoon Splenda
1 1/2 teaspoons minced ginger
1/2 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound flank steak

Slaw

1/4 cup lime juice
1/2 tablespoon Splenda
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons minced ginger
1/2 teaspoon chili garlic sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 12-ounce bag angel hair slaw mix
1 cup matchstick carrots
1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro

8 tortillas

Place the steak and first group of ingredients in a large ziplock bag. Mix well and let it marinate in fridge for 20 minutes.

Combine the slaw ingredients.

Grill the steak to desired degree of doneness, approximately five minutes per side. Cut the steak across the grain into thin slices. Divide into eight portions. Place the steak into the tortillas, and top with slaw. Serves four.

Each serving: calories, 340; fat, 14 grams; carbs, 14 grams; protein, 35 grams —Taylor Matheny

Editor’s note: Taylor Matheny is a Los Angeles–based fitness trainer and chef. She studied sports nutrition while learning culinary techniques and is certified in personal training and sports nutrition. Finding herself in the bodybuilding industry—she’s also an NPC bikini competitor—she honed her cooking skills on contest diets. Currently, she works as a personal chef in Los Angeles and is a spokesmodel for Myogenix.