When it comes to maintaining a healthy diet, steering clear of fast food is often recommended due to its high calorie, fat, and sodium content. However, for many, the convenience and crave-worthy flavors of fast food are hard to resist. When the occasional craving strikes, making informed choices at the drive-thru can make a significant difference in your overall health. Opting for the right menu items can help mitigate some of the negative health impacts associated with fast food consumption.
Taco Bell, a popular fast-food chain known for its Mexican-inspired fare, offers a wide array of menu items that vary greatly in nutritional value. While some options can be relatively health-conscious, others are best avoided due to their high levels of unhealthy fats, excessive sodium, and calorie counts that can quickly add up. Below, we’ll spotlight a few of the least healthy items on Taco Bell’s menu, helping you make better choices the next time you find yourself at the border of hunger and convenience.
1. Cinnabon delights
Who doesn't love dessert? If you have a sweet tooth, you may give into your cravings and order some Cinnabon delights with your meal. But health experts say you might want to give this an second thought. Not only are these sweet treats a whopping 1010 calories, but they also come with 68g of fat, 430mg of sodium, and 88g of carbs. The sugar content is no joke either, and it shouldn't be a surprise to hear that eating too much sugar can set you up for some serious health risks.
"The Cinnabon Delights are deep-fried dough balls filled with cinnamon and cream cheese frosting. They are high in calories, with approximately 50 grams of sugar per 12-pack. They are also high in saturated fat, which is a risk factor for many chronic diseases," Wan Na Chun, RD, CPT of One Pot Wellness told Eat This. Yikes!
2. Baja Blast
If you're watching your calorie intake, you're definitely going to want to avoid this drink. the 40-oz size of the Baja Blast has 550 calories, which is more calories than some meals there. And that's not even the worst part! It also has a whopping 145 grams of sugar. That's the equivalent of eating over 36 sugar cubes. And unfortunately, there's no nutritional value in them, either, so there's not even a silver lining. This much is clear: avoid the Baja Blast.
3. Breakfast Crunchwrap Sausage
Eating a healthy breakfast is crucial to your overall wellness. And although Taco Bell may sound great when your stomach is rumbling in the morning, their breakfast section actually offers some of the worst items on the menu. Take the Breakfast Crunchwrap, for example. The sausage variety packs in 750 calories, 49g of fat, and 1220mg of sodium.
"The Breakfast Crunchwrap Sausage at Taco Bell falls under the category of the worst menu options. Its excessive 47 grams of fat per serving can contribute to weight gain and negatively impact heart health when consumed regularly," Jessie Hulsey, RD, LDan Atlanta-based registered dietitian told Eat This, Not That. "Additionally, with only 4 grams of fiber, this meal lacks the essential nutrients needed for proper digestion and satiety, leaving you feeling unsatisfied and potentially leading to overeating later in the day. Opting for more balanced breakfast choices with higher fiber content can help support your digestive health and overall nutritional goals."
4. Grilled Cheese Dipping Taco Delux Box
This monstrosity of a meal contains a Chalupa Supreme, a Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, a shredded beef Grilled Cheese Dipping Taco with Nacho Cheese sauce and Red sauce to dip, chips & Nacho Cheese sauce, and a medium fountain drink. Basically enough for a whole day in one meal!
"I strongly caution against indulging in the Shredded Beef Grilled Cheese Dipping Taco Deluxe Box at Taco Bell," Atlanta-based registered dietitician Jessie Hulsey says. "This meal, with its calorie range of 1505 to 1785, poses a significant risk of exceeding daily calorie limits in a single sitting. Packed with various tacos, a burrito, chips, and nacho cheese sauce, it offers a high-calorie, high-fat, and high-sodium combination that can be detrimental to your health when consumed regularly."
5. Steak Grilled Cheese Burrito
The thing about this order that will get you is the high fat content. Coming in at 38 grams of fat—and not the good kind—you'll want to avoid this one if you're trying to shed some pounds. “The high fat and sodium content can cause high blood pressure, kidney issues, liver issues, and cardiovascular issues such as congestive heart failure, heart attack, and stroke," registered dietitian Yelena Wheeler said of the meal.
The American Heart Association recommends that just 5-6% of your daily fat intake should come from saturated fat, which comes to about 13 grams—just a fraction of the amount in one meal from Taco Bell.
6. Steak Quesadilla
If you're seeking optimal health, it's always a good idea to cut back on sodium—which means you're better of skipping this simple yet sodium-packed menu item at Taco Bell. Joanna Ayalloore, MS, RD, warns in Eat This, Not That! that despite the decent protein content, the Steak Quesadilla could do a number on your health. "Although this menu item may be filling it has the worst nutrition profile. One quesadilla has 520 calories, 26 grams of protein, 14 grams of saturated fat, and 1,270 milligrams of sodium," she says. All that salt could result in a higher risk of heart disease, among other issues.
7. Beef NachoBell Grande
Nachos are an undeniably delicious, simple meal when you're craving something crunchy and cheesy. However, next time you roll up to the Taco Bell drive-thru aiming to order something that's at least slightly healthy, experts recommend avoiding the Beef NachoBell Grande.
"Beware of the Nacho Bell Grande… This menu item contains a whopping 38 grams of fat and a staggering 1,130 grams of sodium per serving. A great way to make healthier choices at Taco Bell is to use their online nutrition calculator. By entering the menu items of your order, this calculator will show you exactly how much fat and sodium is in your meal, along with other important nutrition facts," Dr. Su-Nui Escobar, DCN, RDN, FAND tells ETNT. Noted!
8. Beef Crunchwrap Supreme
It isn't just the breakfast Crunchwrap that's bad for you. This classic, beloved Taco Bell item is an all-around poor choice for your health. This is largely due to the high amount of sodium it packs in.
"I would stay away from the Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme. One wrap contains 540 calories, 7 grams of saturated fat, and 1,210 mg of sodium, which is over half of the recommended maximum daily intake of sodium. For a healthier option, choose a soft taco topped with shredded lettuce, tomato, onions, and salsa," Mandy Tyler, M.Ed., RD, CSSD, LD says.
Order Fresco Style Items Instead
On the flipside, one of the best things you can order at Taco Bell to stay healthy is Fresco Style items. Taco Bell's Fresco-style items can also be healthier than other menu options for several reasons. Firstly, Fresco-style items replace high-calorie, high-fat ingredients like cheese and creamy sauces with freshly prepared pico de gallo salsa, significantly reducing the overall calorie and fat content. Additionally, the use of lean protein sources like grilled chicken or steak in Fresco-style options provides a healthier alternative to fried meats. Furthermore, the abundance of vegetables and herbs in the pico de gallo salsa adds fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants to the dish, promoting satiety and overall health. Kimberly Duffy, RDN, LD, CPT, says this method "can cut calories and fat quite a lot."
"I like that Taco Bell is trying to cater to those who may not want to consume 1000 calories in one meal," she continued. By choosing Fresco-style items or the power bowl at Taco Bell, customers can enjoy flavorful Mexican-inspired cuisine while making more mindful choices for their well-being.
