A Dietitian Tells Us What To Order From Taco Bell For A Healthier Body
November 1, 2023 by Mariam Qayum
Fast food has become a ubiquitous part of modern life, offering convenience and speed for on-the-go meals. While it’s true that many fast food options are high in calories, saturated fats, and sugars, there are also healthier choices available at these restaurants that can help you make more nutritious decisions. Despite being classified as a fast food restaurant, establishments like Taco Bell provide a range of healthy food choices that won’t negatively impact your overall well-being.
Maddie Macdonald, MS, RD, LDN, recently discussed in a TikTok video about the common question she gets as a dietitian: What to order at a fast food restaurant? She specifically chose Taco Bell’s menu as an example and picked her go-to options when it came to a balanced and nutritious meal. Macdonald revealed that the power menu bowl would be the best choice in this scenario.
According to Macdonald, what you want to look for in Taco Bell’s menu are options that contain protein, carbs, fiber, and fat. This ensures you are full and energized so you don’t go snacking too much after your meal, which can increase your calorie count.
Her number one choice is the power menu bowl. It consists of seasoned rice, guac, beans, and veggies such as tomatoes and lettuce. Without anything else, this meal can be considered as a vegetarian option. Macdonald also points out that “it’s got 11 grams of fiber,” and although the sodium count is higher than she prefers it to be (870 mg), it’s still lower than other options on their menu.
She also recommends to add some chicken for extra protein, which bumps the protein content to 32 grams, 11 grams of fiber, carbs from the rice, and healthy fat from the guacamole.