

Its name derives from chipotle, the Nahuatl name for a smoked and dried jalapeño chili pepper. Chipotle operates restaurants in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and France. ( / tʃ ɪ ˈ p oʊ t l eɪ/, chih- POHT-lay), often known simply as Chipotle, is an American chain of fast casual restaurants specializing in bowls, tacos and Mission burritos made to order in front of the customer. ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen (2012–2018)Ĭhipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.Go for one of these options next time you're rushed through ordering. “You’re getting a smaller portion size but you’re still getting exactly what you what-you don’t have to cut certain ingredients that you love.” “I love the idea of doing a kids’ meal,” Gans says. To keep your portions in check, bag half your meal for tomorrow’s lunch or order off the kids’ menu. “I’m a huge fan of adding the salsa, especially the fresh tomato or the green tomatillo,” Gans says. Even though it’s high in calories, it’s also more nutritious thanks to all of the heart-healthy fats in avocados, says Gans.įlavor-packed salsa is also a great option, since it is low in calories and high in beneficial vitamins and minerals. Pass on the sour cream and the queso and go for a half order of guacamole if you need a creamy topping. “You want to choose ingredients that will fill you up.” Watch your toppings “Beans will also give you an extra 8 grams of protein,” says Gans. While the calories in beans can still add up quickly, legumes are a good source of fiber and low in saturated fat.

“If you want to do the rice that’s okay, but I would ask for half a normal portion and then skip the chips on the side,” Moskovitz says.īetter yet, use beans for your base, since they have about half the calories and carbs as white rice. Opt for a salad or burrito bowl so you can boost your veggie content instead, says Moskovitz.Ī serving of white rice at Chipotle packs 210 calories and 40 grams of carbs.

“If you’re going to do a tortilla or the tacos, those are going to provide the most calories right off the bat,” Gans says, thanks to the carb-heavy tortillas.
#Chipotle menu options how to#
We asked the experts exactly what to eat and how to order it. That initial layer at the bottom of your burrito bowl is probably going to be two if not three times the amount of rice that you would need at a meal, Moskoviz says.Ĭhipotle can be healthy, but you have to build your meal from nutrient-rich foods and control your portions so you don’t overdo it. That’s because the “serving” you get at Chipotle is often more than one portion. What’s more, it’s just really easy to overeat, even if you picked out the healthiest items on the menu. The result? A meal high in empty carbs and low in satisfying fiber and protein. Ideally, you want your meal to be under 400 to 500 calories, Gans says, so when you add a giant tortilla into the mix, you’re not left with much wiggle room for more nutritious add-ons. Just one burrito-sized flour tortilla is 320 calories for only 3 grams of fiber. Many options also tend to go overboard with carbs-tortillas and white rice easily rack up calories for very little fiber in return.
#Chipotle menu options full#
While Chipotle offers lots of fresh, nutrient-rich ingredients, it also has its fair share of calorie bombs-you know, those irresistibly tasty options that happen to be full of fat and excess salt (lookin’ at you, queso and sour cream). It’s when you start piling up your order that you’re just piling on extra calories. “The ingredients themselves are all fairly healthy choices-nothing is really bad in and of itself,” she adds. And as far as protein goes, pretty much every option on the menu (with the exception of the carnitas and the sofritas) is lean-even the steak only has 6 grams of fat. That’s important, because you want to bulk up your meal with vegetables whenever you can, Gans says, since they’re lower in calories and high in filling fiber. “Chipotle can be pretty healthy because they have veggies and lean protein,” says Lisa Moskovitz, RD, CDN, founder of The NY Nutrition Group, like chicken and steak, black and pinto beans, fajita vegetables, and fresh tomato salsa. Being in control of your ingredients allows you to create a personalized meal based on your health goals, whether that be gaining muscle, losing weight, or just trying to eat more nutritious foods. Here, the healthy-and not so healthy-things to know about everyone’s favorite burrito joint.įor the most part, Chipotle can easily be a part of a healthy diet, mostly because its build-your-own model helps set it apart from other chains. Play icon The triangle icon that indicates to play
