FAST FOOD FACTS: Taco Bell

As I’ve mentioned before, it’s unlikely that I will completely give up fast food. It’s so convenient. But I am trying to choose what I order with care. Beth and I ate a lot of Taco Bell over the summer, so I thought I’d look over their menu and find out what the low calorie options were.

First, avoid their salads. Their Chicken Ranch Taco Salad has 960 calories and 1710 mgs of salt, while the Chipotle Steak Taco Salad comes in at 950 calories and 1760mgs of salt.

Originally I was looking for entrees under 350 calories, and had a page long list. Then, I added 2 additional criteria – less than 35% of daily sodium and roughly one third (or less) of calories from fat. That last one dramatically shrunk the list.

Here are FOUR Lo-Cal FAVORITES from Taco Bell:

• GRILLED CHICKEN SOFT SHELL TACO – 200 calories – 32% of daily sodium – 70 calories from fat
• SOFT TACO – BEEF – 210 calories – 31% of daily sodium – 80 calories from fat
• SOFT TACO SUPREME® - BEEF – 240 calories –33% of daily sodium – 100 calories from fat
• GORDITA SUPREME® - CHICKEN – 300 calories – 34% of daily sodium – 120 calories from fat
• I got this information from http://m.tacobell.com/nutrition.do?pid=7

Eat this, Not That agrees with me. They listed a Taco Bell salad as the Worst Meal at the place. The Fiesta Taco Salad with Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes, and Large Mountain Dew has 1,690 calories, 60 g fat (14 g saturated fat, 3 g trans fats) and 2,540 mg sodium. The web site went on to say, “Grilled Stuffed Burritos, anything prepared with multiple ""layers"", and anything served in a bowl are your worst options at Taco Bell. Despite the chain's switch the trans fat-free frying oil in April of 2007, the taco salads still contain an unhealthy dose of this heart-threatening fat.” (See http://eatthis.menshealth.com/content/worst-fast-food-meals-america?article=19&page=1  for more.) If you're going to eat at Taco Bell, they recommend the following meal: two Grilled Steak Soft Tacos, Fresco Style Mexican Rice, and Medium Diet Pepsi. It has 430 calories, 12 g fat (3 g saturated fat) and 1,660 mg sodium. Personally, I’m trying to stay below that.

Last month, I did a post on McDonald’s. (http://fatfamilyotherfwords.blogspot.com/2009/08/fast-food-mcdonalds.html ) I did not include the percentage of calories from fat in the criteria, because I didn’t think of it then.  Eat This, Not That says the Chicken Selects® Premium Breast Strips (5 pc) with Creamy Ranch Sauce with Large French Fries, and Large Coke is the Worst McDonald’s Meal. It has 1,670 calories, 87 g fat (13 g saturated fat) and 2,370 mg sodium. Instead, they like the Quarter-Pounder without Cheese with a Side Salad with Low-Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette, and Large Iced Tea. It has 470 calories, 22 g fat (7 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat) and 1,490 mg sodium. Find out more at http://eatthis.menshealth.com/content/worst-fast-food-meals-america?article=14&page=1