Fast Food Quick Guide: Taco Bell

What Are the Most Healthy Fast Food Choices at Taco Bell?

Taco Bell is well-known for Mexican-style menu items such as tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. In recent years, the chain attempted to lighten-up their menu by offering "Fresco Style" choices with less fat, but there are still some definite diet disasters on order: One mucho-shocking menu choice? The Mucho Grande Nachos at a staggering 1,320 calories. Even healthy-sounding choices, such as a taco salad, will set you back around 800 calories. This quick guide will help you make calorie-smart menu choices at Taco Bell.

Good Choices:

• Fiesta Taco Salad (Modified: Do not eat the shell and hold the cheese and sour cream.) - 380 calories
• Fresco Crunchy Taco - 150 calories
• Fresco Soft Taco - 190 calories
• Fresco Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco - 170 calories
• Fresco Grilled Steak Soft Taco - 170 calories
• Fresco Chicken Enchirito - 240 calories
• Pintos 'n Cheese - 160 calories (Save an additional 50 calories by holding the cheese.)

Choices to Avoid:

• Double Burrito Supreme - 460 calories
• Mucho Grande Nachos - 1,320 calories
• Cheesy Gordita Crunch Supreme - 610 calories
• Fajita Grilled Stuft Burrito with Steak - 630 calories
• Zesty Chicken Border Bowl - 730 calories
• Mexican Pizza - 540 calories
• Fiesta Taco salad (with shell, cheese and sour cream) - 820 calories

Bonus Tip: Some Taco Bell locations offer an item called Taco Salad Express with Chips. Do without the chips, hold the cheddar cheese and sour cream, and use the citrus salsa provided as dressing. This tasty salad is an alternative to the larger taco salad, and its beef and beans provide a protein boost for 290 calories.

To find out the calorie count of more fast food menu items, as well as many other types of foods, visit About.com's Calorie Count.

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