Protein One of the upsides to most Chipotle menu items is that they contain a healthy serving of protein. Whether you choose a burrito, a bowl, tacos or a salad, you have the option of adding your choice of chicken, steak, carnitas, tofu or barbacoa. In addition, beans and rice are served with all orders. The amino acid profiles of beans and rice complement each other well, creating a second complete protein to add to the mix. Chipotle menu items served with one protein, rice and beans come in at a solid 40 to 50 grams of protein.
Calories Chipotle is not a low-calorie option for dining out. A Chipotle burrito with chicken, white rice, pinto beans, tomato salsa, lettuce, sour cream, cheese, guacamole and green salsa tips the scales at a hefty 1,180 calories. If you’re a calorie counter, drop the tortilla and go with a bowl or a salad instead to save yourself 290 calories. For the average adult who consumes around 2,000 calories a day, Chipotle may put you over your limit. You can lower your calorie intake at Chipotle by leaving out the cheese and source cream, which combine for 250 additional calories.
Genetically Modified Ingredients Genetically modified organisms or GMOs are a hot-button issue right now. Many health-conscious consumers want know if they’re being served GMOs. Chipotle is one of the few restaurants that have met the public demand on this issue. Its website lists all ingredients that have been genetically modified so that those who want to avoid these foods are able to do so. GMO ingredients include the soybean oil used on chicken fajita vegetables, brown and white rice, steak, flour tortillas and the honey vinaigrette and corn products used in both corn and flour tortillas and tortilla chips.
Hydrogenated Oils and Preservatives When you see the term hydrogenated oil on food packaging, it’s likely that the food contains trans fat. Trans fat can increase your bad cholesterol, lower your good cholesterol and increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. The only items at Chipotle that contain hydrogenated oil are the four tortillas — both taco and burrito size. Artificial preservatives are also used in select Chipotle menu items. They include flour and corn tortillas, tortilla chips and pinto beans.
Healthy Options You can create a Chipotle meal that excludes GMOs, hydrogenated oils and preservatives. The most detrimental ingredient at Chipotle may be the tortilla, which contains GMOs, hydrogenated oils and preservatives. For health-conscious consumers, it may be wise to avoid burritos and tacos and instead choose a bowl or salad. Menu items that exclude trans fats, GMOs and preservative include barbacoa, black beans, carnitas, cheese, guacamole, each of the salsas, lettuce and sour cream.