Summary of 6 Healthiest Fast-Food Tacos to Try Right Now:
This article discusses healthy fast-food taco options that can be a great choice for people who are in a rush or don’t have enough time to cook. While fast food is usually considered unhealthy, some restaurants like Taco Bell, Chipotle, and Del Taco offer healthier options such as the Fresco style tacos at Taco Bell, grilled chicken tacos at Del Taco, and soft corn tortillas at Chipotle. By making intentional choices, people can enjoy their favorite food without compromising on their health goals.
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Healthy Fast-Food Tacos to Satisfy Your Cravings
We all know the struggle that comes with balancing busy schedules and healthy eating habits. While tacos may be a go-to when craving something delicious, it’s easy to get carried away with extra calories, saturated fat, and sodium. Fortunately, there are fast-food options that won’t derail your diet completely.
Below are some dietitian-recommended fast-food tacos that are not only tasty but also on the healthier side.
Taco Bell’s Crunchy Taco
Per taco: 170 calories, 10 g fat (3.5 g saturated fat), 300 mg sodium, 13 g carbs (3 g fiber, less than 1 g sugar), 8 g protein
One of the benefits of choosing Taco Bell is the ability to customize your orders. Opt for their crunchy taco and keep your consumption of saturated fat and sodium under control. You can also add beans for extra fiber and protein or switch beef to chicken for even less saturated fat.
Taco Bell’s Beef Soft Taco Supreme, Fresco Style
Per taco: 160 calories, 6 g fat (2.5 g saturated fat), 450 mg sodium, 18 g carbs (3 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 7 g protein
The “Fresco Style” option allows you to replace the sour cream and shredded cheese with tomato-based salsa. For instance, Taco Bell’s Beef Soft Taco Supreme normally has 210 calories and 10 grams of fat, but ordering it Fresco Style reduces the saturated fat to only 2.5 grams and calories to 160.
Del Taco’s Soft Grilled Chicken Tacos
Per taco: 210 calories, 12 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 510 mg sodium, 15 g carbs (1 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 11 g protein
Del Taco’s Soft Grilled Chicken Tacos are healthier because they use grilled chicken instead of fried options, plus lettuce and tomatoes provide additional nutrients. However, this option may not be ideal for people watching their sodium intake, as it contains over 500 mg of sodium per taco.
Chipotle’s Chicken Tacos with Beans, Cheese, and Veggies
Per taco: 215 calories, 8 g fat, 19 g carbs, 16 g protein
At Chipotle, try the soft corn tacos filled with various ingredients such as grilled chicken, steak, or vegetarian options. Suggest making it even healthier by adding whole-grain corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas. Opt for chicken, cheese, salsa, and fajita veggies, then skip over the cheese and sour cream if possible.
Taco Bell’s Black Bean Chalupa Supreme
Per taco: 320 calories, 16 g fat (2.5 g saturated fat), 400 mg sodium, 35 g carbs (6 g fiber, 4 g sugar), 9 g protein
For vegetarian options, Taco Bell’s Black Bean Chalupa Supreme is the way to go. It might not be as healthy as other options, but it still offers a burst of flavor while keeping saturated fat low. Adding veggies and limiting the calorie-heavy sauces is recommended by a registered dietitian.
Jack in the Box’s Regular Tacos
Per taco: 170 calories, 9 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 360 mg sodium, 16 g carbs (2 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 6 g protein
Jack in the Box’s regular tacos come with cheese, shredded lettuce, and signature taco sauce. Despite this, it’s still relatively low in calories compared to other fast-food taco options, with only 170 calories per taco. It’s also a great source of fiber and protein, and ordering two of these is the same amount of calories as one Taco Bell Black Bean Chalupa.
Conclusion
Fast food isn’t always the healthiest option, but sometimes, it’s what works best due to time constraints. However, with the options listed above, you can satisfy your cravings while making healthier choices. It’s important to remember that moderation is key, and it’s possible to make good nutritional choices even when eating fast food.
