21 Healthiest Items at Taco Bell in 2024
Founded in 1962 by Glen Bell in California, Taco Bell is a key fast food institution in the U.S. and due to its growing popularity, we are going to provide you with the healthiest items at Taco Bell. Whether it’s for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a late-night snack, Taco Bell is always a good option. In addition to its popular staples and other items that rotate on its menu, check out the Taco Bell secret menu to experience a different side to the Mexican chain. Fast food establishments provide quick and easy delicious food. But, what if we said there are many nutritious options at Taco Bell, meaning you can eat quick and delicious food without compromising your health?
We will go through the 21 healthiest Taco Bell menu items. The company has reduced sodium in its menu by 15% since 2008, a sign that it aims to make its food healthier. Other policies, such as 100% cage-free eggs and removing unsustainable palm oil also show this intent. We will go through the healthiest items at Taco Bell, from low-calorie burritos, vegetarian tacos, black bean delights and many other great options. After listing these options, we'll guide you through our selection of the healthiest items at Taco Bell.
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21 Healthiest Items at Taco Bell
1. Cheesy Toasted Breakfast Burrito - Potato
One of the healthiest items at Taco Bell, this breakfast burrito will get you ready for the whole day. This burrito is a vegetarian option that is full of protein and will give you plenty of energy without being too unhealthy. It is fluffy and cheesy, filled with smooth potatoes, making it a great option for a quick breakfast in the morning.
2. Doritos Locos Taco
This taco is one of the healthiest items at Taco Bell because it is low in calories, yet it still has an amazing cheesy, spicy kick. This item features a crunchy taco shell made from Doritos and is filled with beef and lettuce. Top tip: download and sign up for the Taco Bell fast food app and get one of these delicious tacos for free!
3. Crunchy Taco
Similar to the special Doritos Locos Taco, this classic taco is another one of the healthiest items at Taco Bell. It has a crunchy outer shell containing cheese, beef and lettuce and is well under 200 calories. If you want a tasty low-calorie taco, this is a great choice.
4. Cheese Quesadilla Fresco-Style
This item is high in protein, providing what your body needs for muscle repair and growth. Ordering items fresco-style reduces the calories and fat content, whilst keeping the taste and high-protein value. A simple flour tortilla with a three-cheese melted blend, this is one of the healthiest items at Taco Bell.
5. Chicken Quesadilla
If you fancy adding more protein to your cheese quesadilla, then the chicken quesadilla will help you do that. This quesadilla adds some extra protein whilst keeping the cheese and jalapeño sauce, making it one of the healthiest items at Taco Bell.
6. Chips and Guacamole
Guacamole, rich in monounsaturated fat and fiber, makes a wonderfully nutritious option and is one of the healthiest items at Taco Bell. However, be mindful that the freshly fried tortilla chips, although tasty, are not the healthiest choice.
7. Black Beans and Rice
A vegetarian, low-calorie option, this is one of the healthiest items at Taco Bell. Black beans are a good source of plant-based protein and fiber and they also contain folate and iron. Adding avocado and jalapeño peppers adds extra fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, promoting heart health. You can't go wrong with black beans and rice but be careful with toppings such as sour cream, as they will increase the calorie and saturated fat content.
8. Bean Burrito
The Bean Burrito is stuffed full of warm refried beans, red cheddar cheese, red sauce and diced onions, making it a wonderful vegetarian option. To make it vegan like other items, ask for it fresco-style, which will replace the cheese and sour cream with tomatoes. Unlike most fast food, this item is full of fiber due to the black beans.
9. Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme
This vegetarian feast is a Taco Bell classic. This wrap pairs cheese sauce and black beans with a grilled crunchy taco alongside lettuce, sour cream and tomato. This will give you a good amount of fiber and protein, making it one of the healthiest items at Taco Bell. Ordering the Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme fresco-style not only makes it vegan but also reduces calories by swapping out the sour cream and cheese sauce for nutritious tomatoes.
10. Black Bean Chalupa Supreme
Time to prepare yourself for another vegetarian delight but with even more flavor and taste. Chalupa is synonymous with being chill and this is exactly that. This item has a cloud-like shell with classic Taco Bell ingredients such as black beans, so everyone can enjoy it. It's one of the healthiest Taco Bell items available.
11. Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito
Another of the healthiest items at Taco Bell, the Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito is a cheese-fest. We explained the health benefits of beans and rice earlier and it's the same here, just with plenty of high-protein cheese in a soft flour tortilla wrap.
12. Cheesy Roll Up
The Cheesy Roll Up may seem indulgent with its three-cheese blend, but surprisingly, it can still be considered one of the healthiest items at Taco Bell, especially compared to other options on the menu. While cheese does contain saturated fat, this item is relatively low in calories, making it a healthier choice. Not only is this vegetarian but it is a tasty item that is not unhealthy in terms of fast food.
13. Purple Cabbage and Pico de Gallo
Looking for a healthy side instead of high-fat and high-calorie fries or nachos? The purple cabbage side is a nutritious option that will fill you up and provide essential vitamins and minerals. Similarly, a side of pico de gallo, consisting of diced tomatoes, onions and jalapeños, is delicious and one of the healthiest items at Taco Bell.
14. Burrito Supreme Fresco-Style
The Burrito Supreme is one of the healthiest items at Taco Bell if you order it fresco-style. If you love burritos, this supreme version will make you very happy. It comes with seasoned beef, refried beans, red sauce, lettuce and onions. From vegetables to beans, there are lots of healthy ingredients here. Ordering it fresco-style will replace the high-calorie and fatty ingredients like mayonnaise and cheese with diced tomatoes.
15. Grande Toasted Breakfast Burrito
For one of the healthiest items at Taco Bell, try the Grande Toasted Breakfast Burrito. It's high in protein and very filling with options like steak or sausage. It contains potatoes, cheese, egg and tomatoes but you can reduce the high-fat dairy by ordering it fresco-style.
16. Soft Taco
Very similar to the Crunchy Taco, this taco instead has a very soft tortilla. It is low in calories despite packing seasoned beef, lettuce and cheese. A delicious taco that is one of the healthiest items at Taco Bell.
17. Veggie Mexican Pizza
A unique addition to the Taco Bell menu, the Veggie Mexican Pizza is one of the healthiest items at Taco Bell. This Mexican version of a pizza features refried beans sandwiched between two shells, along with a three-cheese blend, tomatoes and the signature Mexican Pizza sauce.
18. Spicy Potato Soft Taco
Another option among the healthiest items at Taco Bell is the Spicy Potato Soft Taco, perfect for vegetarians. This taco is low in calories but provides you with a sizzling hot potato instead of meat. It comes with cheese, crisp lettuce and creamy chipotle to give it a spicy kick.
19. Soft Taco Supreme
The Soft Taco Supreme is among the healthiest items at Taco Bell. Packing slightly more calories and protein than the original Soft Taco, it includes seasoned beef, lettuce, cheddar cheese, tomatoes and reduced-fat sour cream in a gorgeously soft tortilla.
20. Crunchy Taco Supreme
The regular Crunchy Taco is low in calories but with the Crunchy Taco Supreme, you get a lot more protein with only 20 more calories. It comes packed with seasoned beef, reduced-fat sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes and cheddar cheese. Like the soft taco, it is one of the healthiest items at Taco Bell but just a lot crunchier.
21. Hash Brown
Finally, we have a delectable treat or side, perfect for breakfast but suitable for any time of day. While not inherently healthy, this patty is low-calorie and stands out as one of the healthiest items at Taco Bell.
What Is the Healthiest Item at Taco Bell?
If we were to compare Taco Bell with other fast food options, it would clearly have some of the healthiest items available from fast-food restaurants. If you are on a diet that requires eating little salt, then fast food is not a good option because of the high sodium intake. But many items are full of protein and fiber whilst being low in calories at Taco Bell. Before looking at the healthiest menu items at Taco Bell, it is important to understand how we can make meals at Taco Bell healthier.
Firstly, having baked potatoes instead of fries makes the potato options much healthier than at other fast-food restaurants. This is why ordering a Spicy Potato Soft Taco is a good idea, not just for taste but health-wise. You should definitely think about ordering items fresco-style, as this replaces high-fat items with diced tomatoes, reducing the total calories and fat. Adding beans is a good option if you want some extra protein.
Another healthy idea at Taco Bell is to ask for guacamole, as avocado is a rich source of cholesterol-lowering monounsaturated fat. Taco Bell also has a nutrition calculator online, making it easier to plan your meals based on your diet. Lastly, you could opt for zero-calorie drinks and avoid sweet treats to make your meal healthier. Another way to boost nutrition is to skip sauces such as chipotle, mayonnaise and nacho cheese because they can make a meal a lot less healthy. Soft tacos are a better option because crunchy tacos are usually deep-fried, making them higher in saturated fat. Meanwhile, grilled foods like vegetables and chicken are lower in fat since they aren’t cooked in as much oil.
Alongside the Spicy Potato Taco, having burritos or tacos with black beans is a great way to increase your fiber intake, making any of the black bean options some of the healthiest items at Taco Bell. Guacamole, black beans and rice are great choices of sides as explained above. For an extra protein boost, go for a Supreme Taco or a chicken quesadilla. The Soft Taco Supreme is one of the healthiest items on the Taco Bell menu, offering nine grams of protein and only 200 calories. Yet it is as filling as ‘supreme’ would suggest. Secondly, opting for a bean burrito ensures you get the necessary fiber and protein in your diet, even though it's fast food. This choice stands out as one of the healthiest items at Taco Bell, thanks to its black beans and is lower in sodium than many other items. So these two items should definitely be considered as some of the healthiest items at Taco Bell.
By going through the healthiest items at Taco Bell, it is clear that the fast food chain has a range of healthier items. Through this article we have delved into the healthiest Taco Bell items currently available in the U.S. It is clear that you can get a good amount of fiber and protein, and you can also avoid high-calorie items by making healthy decisions. It is important to order items in a certain way, such as fresco-style, and choose your sides wisely to cut out unhealthier ingredients.
We hope that this list of the healthiest items at Taco Bell will make your experience at Taco Bell even better! For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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