Healthy Choices at Taco Bell
If you've been driving past Taco Bell on your way to the burger joint, you might want to pull over. Not only is Mexican food a refreshing change from burgers, chicken nuggets and pizza, but at this fast-food joint you'll find plenty of options to satisfy your hunger without wreaking havoc on your waistline.
The "Fresco Style" menu replaces regular sauces and cheeses (containing higher calories and fat content) with Fiesta Salsa, a mix of diced tomatoes, onions and cilantro. It has 15 different items with less than 10 grams of fat. The calories in this group are respectable too. We picked our five favorites and, of course, couldn't leave out the basic beef taco, which is a good choice even though it's not in the "Fresco" group!
- Crunchy Taco
Enjoy a crunchy corn taco stuffed with seasoned ground beef, lettuce and Cheddar cheese.With calories this low, you can enjoy two, or add a side of Pintos 'n Cheese for 160 calories and 6 grams of fat. Choose this over the Taco Supreme (with sour cream and cheese) and skip 60 calories and 5 grams of fat.
Calories 150
Fat 8g
Saturated Fat 2.5g
Carbohydrates 13g
Fiber 3g -
Fresco style Bean Burrito
This is a great choice for vegetarians. A flour tortilla is stuffed with nutrient-rich, super-filling beans, diced onions and a savory red sauce. It's high in sodium, but there's a significant amount of fiber (almost half a day's worth). Select this over their 7-Layer Burrito and eliminate 160 calories and 11 grams of fat.
Calories 330
Fat 7g
Saturated Fat 2.5g
Carbohydrates 54g
Fiber 9g
-
Fresco style Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco
You can't help but love a warm flour tortilla stuffed with marinated and grilled white-meat chicken, shredded lettuce, tomato, and a mildly spicy salsa-all for just 170 calories. With calories and fat this low, you can enjoy two portions without guilt. Choose this over the regular Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco (with cream sauce and cheese) and dodge 100 calories and 10 grams of fat.
Calories 170
Fat 4g
Saturated Fat 1.5g
Carbohydrates 21g
Fiber 3g
-
Fresco Style Tostada
Think of this as a Mexican pizza. A crisp corn tostada shell is topped with beans, a tangy red sauce, shredded lettuce and diced tomato. It's lower in sodium than all menu items in this category (salads, bowls and Mexican pizza). Choose this over the Fiesta Taco Salad and avoid 600 calories and 35 grams of fat.
Calories 240
Fat 10g
Saturated Fat 3.5g
Carbohydrates 27g
Fiber 7g
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