Chipotle is likely to be one of the most popular Mexican fast-food chains with around 2500 restaurants around the world!
This restaurant is loved for its customizable menu, offering burritos, tacos, salads, and an array of toppings, sauces, and sides.
Unfortunately, if you’re trying to watch your calorie intake, a burrito isn’t always the best way to go.
At Chipotle, it’s very quick and easy to build yourself a burrito that contains over 1000 calories!
This article is going to discuss the calories you will likely find in a burrito, and what steps you can take in order to reduce the number of calories, while still being able to enjoy this Mexican-inspired grub!
How Many Calories In A Burrito?
A burrito is a Mexican-inspired dish that consists of a tortilla that is wrapped tightly around an array of fillings, such as vegetables, your choice of protein, rice, and beans. You’ll also get your choice of salsa, sour cream, and or guacamole.
There are a significant amount of calories in a burrito due to all the ingredients that go inside the tortilla.
You have to count the actual tortilla, rice, beans, cheese, meat, salsa, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.
All these ingredients add up together, and Chipotle burritos can normally reach a staggering 1,275 calories!
Consuming this many calories in one meal isn’t always the best idea unless you are trying to gain a lot of weight in the case of body-building.
That being said, many burritos are sold in fast-food establishments, whose ingredients aren’t always the freshest.
Even if you are body-building, you should be consuming healthy, whole foods, rather than processed alternatives.
How To Cut Down The Calories In A Burrito
Just because a burrito is very high in calories, does not mean you can’t ever have one.
Aside from using fresh ingredients, there are several steps you can take in order to cut down the calories significantly, meaning you can still enjoy this delicious dish.
Say Goodbye To The Tortilla
It may be hard to believe, but the tortilla that is wrapped around all those scrumptious ingredients alone is 300 calories!
Even the whole wheat tortillas have the same amount of calories (but they do contain more fiber).
At Chipotle and other Mexican-inspired chains, you’ll have the option of going for a burrito bowl instead, which means you can still enjoy all your favorite ingredients without the extra calories of the tortilla!
Choose Between Rice Or Tortilla
If you’re serious about cutting down your calories, you may need to choose between one carb or the other.
If the idea of having a burrito without the tortilla hurts your soul, then leave out the rice.
You’ll still be saving around 250 calories, and you can bulk up your burrito with extra lettuce, which has barely any calories.
Think About Your Proteins
You’ll be able to choose between a few beans, such as pinto or black beans, and a few types of meat, such as chicken or beef.
While there is not much difference between these, pinto beans do have around 10 calories less than black beans, and chicken has fewer calories than beef. It’s the little things that make a difference!
Add All The Veggies
Whether you’ve kept the tortilla, or opted for a bowl, piling on vegetables is a great way to make this more of a nutritious meal.
Adding more veggies will increase your fiber intake, resulting in you feeling fuller, energized, and satisfied a lot longer.
If you are trying to lose weight, then incorporating vegetables into your diet is a great way to do this, as the fiber keeps you full, and you won’t be craving your usual snacks afterward.
Avoid High-Calorie Sauces
If you’re a frequent visitor of these Mexican-inspired chains, then you’ll know that they offer many delicious sauces.
Unfortunately, these sauces are very high in calories. Sour cream, cheese, and queso sauce are all very calorific and are very high in unhealthy fats.
While you may be thinking that guacamole is the healthiest option as it is filled with healthy fats, it is still very high in calories, so if lowering your calorie intake is your goal, it is best to avoid the above.
However, you can sometimes opt for the salsa options as they aren’t as high in calories.
You can choose tomatillo green or red chili salsa, roasted chili-corn salsa, or fresh tomato salsa.
Pico de gallo is also pretty low in calories, as it is a mix of tomatoes, onions, and other herbs and spices.
Beware Of The Sides
Sides (especially when they’re included in the deal), are just as important as the main in these restaurants.
However, they are also very calorific. If you were to choose a side of chips and queso, you’re looking at 770 calories, in just a side dish!
If you really want a nice side, choose your salsa, get it to go, and then choose your own whole-grain crackers to dip in.
This will save you a lot of calories, and they’re also much healthier!
You Could Just Opt For Tacos
Tacos have fewer calories than burritos, and you get three crispy shells, for the price of one, heavily loaded burrito.
Three of these corn shells with all your fillings amount to around 500 to 700 calories, and they are just as delicious with an added crunch!
If you are really concerned about your calories but love these restaurants, then tacos are an easier way to consume fewer calories.
Final Thoughts
Burritos are pretty heavy on the calories, with many reaching over the 1000 mark.
Fortunately, those who are looking to reduce their calorie intake have several ways to do so, such as ditching the tortilla, and or ditching the rice.
We hope this article has provided you with a good insight into the calorie count of burritos, and how you can reduce this if need be.
