Taco Bell Is Actually One of the Healthiest Fast Food Chains Around (2024)

Taco Bell Is Actually One of the Healthiest Fast Food Chains Around (1)Taco Bell Is Actually One of the Healthiest Fast Food Chains Around (2)

Taco Bell has some impressively nutritious options on their menu. For a chain that dreams up high-calorie dishes like fried chicken chalupas and candy-flavored slushies, it's actually pretty committed to nutrition nowadays. Taco Bell keeps a registered dietitian (RD) on staff and since 2008 has reduced sodium across its menu offerings by 15%.

But the thing that makes Taco Bell stand out from the rest of the fast food pack is the ability to add extra veggies, sides, and swaps to your order, which you can play around with via its online nutrition calculator.

That’s great, but what if you really just want to indulge? Yes, Taco Bell makes headlines for coming up with items like Doritos tacos, but you can always skim a few calories off the top of any order by asking to “make it fresco.” That nixes creamy, calorie-laden dressings, sour cream, and cheese, but adds pico de gallo (often on the side).

With that in mind, you can find the best low-calorie options at a Taco Bell by keeping it simple. Opt for tacos, salads, power bowls, sides, and the occasional burrito. These all contain grilled meat, veggies, cheese, guac, and beans — which pack protein plus fiber. You're better off skipping the nachos and quesadillas since they're tough to make more nutritious.

An order from the vegetarian or Power Menu is a better bet, since those contain added veggies. Great picks from the vegetarian menu include the cheesy bean and rice burrito, bean burrito, black bean burrito, and even the seven-layer burrito — especially if you add extra veggies to any of the above.

Taco Bell Is Actually One of the Healthiest Fast Food Chains Around (5)Taco Bell Is Actually One of the Healthiest Fast Food Chains Around (6)

See below for some more nutrient-packed ideas that won't leave you feeling overstuffed:

  • Power Menu Veggie Burrito: Order it with extra pico de gallo, extra romaine, easy on the cheese, regular guac, and regular beans. Skip the sour cream and avocado sauce, and choose add-ons of salsa, jalapeno peppers, and tomatoes. You’ll land yourself a nice, filling lunch that’s 380 calories, and still saves some room for a piece of fruit.
  • Power Menu Veggie Bowl With Chicken: Order it with extra pico de gallo, extra romaine, regular guac, cheese, and beans; skip the rice, and add chicken, onions, tomatoes, salsa, and jalapenos.
  • Power Menu Burrito With Chicken: Order it with extra pico de gallo, extra romaine, regular guac, cheese, and beans; skip the rice and add chicken, onions, tomatoes, salsa, and jalapenos.

The bottom line: Yes, Taco Bell can be healthy if you go easy on the sauces, cheese, and rice, and add extra veggies instead.

Taco Bell Is Actually One of the Healthiest Fast Food Chains Around (7)

Jaclyn London, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.

A registered dietitian with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University and a Master of Science degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University, Jaclyn “Jackie” London handled all of Good Housekeeping’s nutrition-related content, testing, and evaluation from 2014 to 2019. Prior to joining GH, she was a clinical dietitian at Mount Sinai Hospital. Jackie has also appeared as an expert guest on The Dr. Oz Show and The Today Show. She is also author of the book Dressing on the Side (and Other Diet Myths Debunked).

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Taco Bell Is Actually One of the Healthiest Fast Food Chains Around (2024)

FAQs

Is Taco Bell one of the healthiest fast food chains? ›

Taco Bell

You can also turn any menu item 'Fresco-Style' which uses diced tomatoes in place of mayo-based sauces, cheese and sour cream. Doing this can make a soft taco only 160 calories or a Burrito Supreme 340 calories, which makes Taco Bell one of the healthiest fast food chains.

Is Taco Bell healthy or not? ›

If we were to compare Taco Bell with other fast food options, it would clearly have some of the healthiest items available from fast-food restaurants. If you are on a diet that requires eating little salt, then fast food is not a good option because of the high sodium intake.

Is Taco Bell healthier than Subway? ›

Taco Bell has continuously worked on offering healthier options, like their Fresco menu, which includes items with fewer calories and less fat. On the other hand, Subway offers a range of fresh ingredients and the ability to customize your sandwich to make it as healthy as you want.

Where does Taco Bell rank in fast food? ›

GO TO THE CHARTS:
2022 RankCompany2022 Average Sales Per Unit Thousands
1McDonald's3625
2Starbucks*1680
3Chick-fil-A*6710
4Taco Bell1900
46 more rows
Aug 1, 2023

Is McDonald's or Taco Bell more unhealthy? ›

That's right, Taco Bell edges out McDonald's in the health department. But why, you ask? Well, it all comes down to the menu options and nutritional content. Taco Bell offers a variety of items that are lower in calories, fat, and even include vegetarian options.

What is the unhealthiest thing at Taco Bell? ›

If you want to keep your Taco Bell order as healthy as possible, registered dietitian Yelena Wheeler, RDN, says to steer clear of the steak grilled cheese burrito, which she says is the absolute least healthiest item on the menu.

Does Taco Bell use real meat? ›

We use 100 percent USDA premium beef in our seasoned beef. We prepare it much the same way you prepare taco meat at home: after simmering, it is drained of excess fat and pre-seasoned with our signature blend of 7 authentic seasonings and spices.

Is eating Taco Bell once a week bad? ›

If you're trying to be healthy, no. While there's no one-size-fits-all answer to how often you can eat Taco Bell, Sauceda gets the most specific with it. "With any fast food like Taco Bell, I would recommend no more than a couple times a month," she says.

Is Subway really healthier than McDonald's? ›

In a study published May 6 in the Journal of Adolescent Health, the researchers found that adolescents who purchased Subway meals consumed nearly as many calories as they did at McDonald's. Meals from both restaurants are likely to contribute toward overeating and obesity, according to the researchers.

What is the number one healthiest fast food restaurant? ›

The company chose ten meals from 20 fast-food giant's menus and found the average amount of calories for all ten. They chose five of each restaurant's best sellers and five random items. Coming in on top as the healthiest fast food restaurant was Little Caesars.

What is the healthiest Mexican fast food chain? ›

Taco Bell is now the 'front runner' in healthy fast-food restaurants — here's what to order. If you have a craving for Mexican fare, Taco Bell may be a better bet for your health and waistline than you think — as long as you know how to navigate the fast food chain's menu.

What is the #1 fast-food chain in America? ›

McDonald's position as the top restaurant chain in the United States has been consistent since Technomic started their annual report.

What is the most ordered food at Taco Bell? ›

Best Sellers
  • Chalupa Supreme® $4.99 | 360 Cal. ...
  • Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito. $1.19 | 420 Cal. ...
  • Chicken Quesadilla. $5.19 | 520 Cal. ...
  • Spicy Potato Soft Taco. $1.19 | 240 Cal. ...
  • Crunchwrap Supreme® $5.39 | 540 Cal. ...
  • Beefy 5-Layer Burrito. $3.79 | 500 Cal. ...
  • Nachos BellGrande® $5.99 | 740 Cal. ...
  • Cinnamon Twists. $1.29 | 170 Cal. Add to Order.

Where is the nicest Taco Bell in the US? ›

No. 1 Best: 5200 CA-1, Pacifica, California

Representative review: “Definitely the best Taco Bell in the West located on the beautiful Pacifica Coast!

Is a taco healthier than a burger? ›

While it may look healthy, if it comes smothered in mayonnaise or some other sauce, the hamburger isn't as good for you as a taco. However, prepare a taco with the same lean meat and you're going to come out with less fat and fewer calories.

What is the most unhealthy drink at Taco Bell? ›

Here's what not to eat. Clocking in at a whopping 550 calories of pure emptiness, the 40 ounce Baja Blast is the worst drink on the menu. Soda in general should be avoided, but this mega-sized Mountain Dew brand should be avoided at all costs. INSTEAD DRINK: Opt for a Frutista drink or how about some high quality H20?

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