Here are some great simple and inexpensive recipes to have instead of eating at Taco Bell:
Vegetarian Corn and Black Bean Taco Salad
Tamale Pie
Fish Tacos with Asparagus Salsa
Mushroom and Spinach Enchiladas
Tacos al Pastor
Barbecue Chicken Tacos
Baja Fresh
Boston Market
Burger King
Chick-fil-A
Chopt
Cosi
El Pollo Loco
Hardee's
Jack in the Box
Kentucky Fried Chicken
La Madeleine
Maggiano's Little Italy
McDonald's
Noodles & Company
Olive Garden
Panda Express
Panera Bread
Popeyes
Ruby Tuesday
SouperSalad
Souplantation
Subway
Sweetgreen
Taco Bell
Wendy's
Here are convenience meals we have reviewed at DrGourmet.com that are about the same price but a lot tastier and better for you than eating at Taco Bell:
Enchilada Pie: Cedarlane
Egg White & Spinach Breakfast Burrito and Sausage, Egg & Smoked Gouda Breakfast Burrito: evol Foods
Carnitas & Salsa Verde Enchiladas and Cilantro Lime Chicken Enchiladas: evol Foods
Fire Grilled Steak, Chicken Enchilada, and Teriyaki Chicken Bowls: evol Foods
Roasted Vegetable and Sweet Corn Tamales: Cedarlane
Chicken Enchilada Suiza: Lean Cuisine
The last time we looked at the Taco Bell nutrition and tried to make some recommendations, I wrote, "There is no doubt that eating at Taco Bell is not a great choice. As with all fast food, the meals are full of salt, fat, and highly processed ingredients."
This remains true today, and if anything, the picture is now worse. Back then there were some options for tacos that contained less than 300 or 400 milligrams of sodium. That is no longer the case.
I created this list so that if you are stuck eating there for some reason you can at least find an alternative that is healthier for you. The items listed fall generally under 400 calories or so which is a fairly good guideline for you). Sadly, there is more sodium as mentioned but there are a few that contain more than five grams of fiber.
Granted, Taco Bell is pretty bad and the food isn't great, but - and I never thought I would say this - you are still better off than eating at Baja Fresh or Chevys Fresh Mex.
Calories | Total Fat | Sodium | Fiber | |
Mini Skillet Bowl | 180 | 11 | 430 | 2 |
Cheesy Roll Up (V) | 180 | 9 | 430 | 2 |
Spicy Potato Soft Taco | 230 | 12 | 460 | 2 |
Spicy Tostada (V) | 190 | 10 | 410 | 6 |
Triple Layer Nachos | 320 | 15 | 480 | 7 |
Fresco Crunchy Taco - Beef | 140 | 7 | 300 | 3 |
Fresco Soft Taco - Beef | 160 | 6 | 480 | 3 |
Fresco Soft Taco - Shredded Chicken | 150 | 6 | 430 | 2 |
Fresco Soft Taco - Steak | 150 | 4 | 460 | 2 |
Black Beans & Rice (V) | 170 | 3.5 | 320 | 4 |
Black Beans (V) | 50 | 1 | 135 | 3 |
Chips and Guacamole | 230 | 14 | 220 | 4 |
Chips and Pico de Gallo | 180 | 9 | 100 | 3 |
Chalupa Supreme® - Beef | 350 | 18 | 560 | 4 |
Chalupa Supreme® - Chicken | 330 | 15 | 560 | 2 |
Chalupa Supreme® - Steak | 330 | 16 | 530 | 2 |
Cheesy Roll Up (V) | 180 | 9 | 430 | 2 |
Spicy Tostada (V) | 190 | 10 | 410 | 6 |
Triple Layer Nachos | 320 | 15 | 480 | 7 |
Crunchy Taco | 170 | 9 | 310 | 3 |
Crunchy Taco Supreme® | 190 | 11 | 340 | 3 |
Nacho Cheese Doritos® Locos Taco | 170 | 9 | 360 | 3 |
Nacho Cheese Doritos® Locos Taco Supreme® | 190 | 11 | 380 | 3 |
Soft Taco - Beef | 180 | 9 | 500 | 3 |
Soft Taco - Chicken | 170 | 8 | 450 | 2 |
Soft Taco Supreme® - Beef | 210 | 10 | 520 | 3 |
Spicy Potato Soft Taco | 230 | 12 | 460 | 2 |
Black Beans | 50 | 1 | 135 | 3 |
Black Beans & Rice | 170 | 3.5 | 320 | 4 |
Cheesy Roll Up | 180 | 9 | 430 | 2 |
Spicy Tostada | 190 | 10 | 410 | 6 |