Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza has been a popular menu item for decades, but is it actually healthy? With its layers of meat, cheese, beans, and crunchy shells, the Mexican Pizza may seem indulgent. However, by examining its ingredients and nutrition information, we can get a better sense of how healthy it really is.
In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide quick answers to key questions about the Mexican Pizza’s healthiness:
– Is the Mexican Pizza low in calories? No, one Mexican Pizza contains 760 calories, which is quite high for a single menu item.
– Does it contain healthy fats? No, the main sources of fat are cheese and ground beef, which are higher in saturated fat.
– Is it high in protein? Yes, with 22g of protein from the beans and ground beef.
– Does it contain a lot of fiber? Yes, the beans and shells provide 25% of the recommended daily fiber.
– Is it low in sodium? No, it contains 1,070mg of sodium, which is nearly half the daily recommended limit.
So in summary – while the Mexican Pizza does contain some positives like protein and fiber, it is quite high in calories, saturated fat, and sodium. Overall it would not be considered one of Taco Bell’s lighter options.
Ingredients in the Mexican Pizza
To understand the Mexican Pizza’s nutritional value, we need to look at its ingredients:
Tortillas: The Mexican Pizza uses two crunchy corn tortillas as its shells. Corn tortillas are typically higher in fiber than flour tortillas. However, being deep fried makes them higher in fat and calories.
Ground Beef: The ground beef provides a hefty protein punch but is also Taco Bell’s fattiest meat. A single Mexican Pizza contains 2.5oz of ground beef.
Beans: Black beans or pinto beans are used, which supply fiber. However, Taco Bell’s beans may be made with added oils and seasonings.
Cheese: Loads of melty cheese tops the Mexican Pizza. A combination of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese provides plenty of calcium but also saturated fat and sodium.
Sauce: The classic Mexican Pizza sauce contains ingredients like tomatoes, onions, sugar, and oils. The sauce adds lots of savory flavor.
So in examining the ingredients, we see a mix of pros and cons for health. The beans provide a beneficial fiber source, but the tortillas, ground beef, cheese, and sauce add less healthy fat, sodium, and calories.
Nutrition Information
Now let’s analyze the full nutrition information for a Taco Bell Mexican Pizza:
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 760 | 38% |
| Fat | 37g | 57% |
| Saturated Fat | 18g | 90% |
| Trans Fat | 1.5g | |
| Cholesterol | 105mg | 35% |
| Sodium | 1070mg | 47% |
| Carbohydrates | 80g | 27% |
| Fiber | 12g | 25% |
| Sugar | 3g | |
| Protein | 22g |
Analyzing these nutrition facts, we can see that the Mexican Pizza is very high in calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium compared to the daily recommended values. It also contains a sizable amount of cholesterol.
On the positive side, it does provide 25% of the recommended daily fiber and 22g of filling protein. However, the high amounts of less healthy components make it hard to consider this a truly healthy fast food option.
Health Impact of Ingredients
To better understand the Mexican Pizza’s effects on health, let’s break down some of its key ingredients and components:
Refined Carbs
The fried corn tortillas shells are made from refined grains, which act similarly to sugar in the body by spiking blood sugar levels. The refined carbs lack the fiber of whole grains and can promote unhealthy spikes and crashes in energy levels.
Saturated Fat
The high amount of saturated fat from the cheese and ground beef can negatively impact heart health by raising LDL “bad” cholesterol levels. Too much saturated fat is linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Sodium
The very high sodium content (over 1000mg per pizza) is concerning, as too much sodium can increase risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Most health guidelines recommend limiting sodium to 1500-2300mg per day, so this one menu item contains nearly an entire day’s worth.
Trans Fats
While a relatively small amount, the Mexican Pizza does contain trans fats, which are considered the unhealthiest type of fat due to heart health risks. Many restaurants have eliminated trans fats – their presence in the Mexican Pizza is undesirable.
Preservatives
The Mexican Pizza likely contains preservatives like sodium benzoate and calcium propionate. While GRAS-approved, some preservatives may cause mild issues like digestive problems, headaches, or hyperactivity in sensitive individuals.
So in studying its ingredients, the Mexican Pizza contains several components that nutritionists would recommend limiting in an overall healthy diet.
Healthier Customization Options
While the classic Mexican Pizza may not be that healthy, there are ways to customize your order to make it somewhat better for you:
– Substitute black beans instead of beef – cuts about 120 calories and 8g saturated fat.
– Skip the tortilla shells – removes around 200 calories per shell.
– Ask for reduced-fat cheese – lessens saturated fat intake.
– Request less sauce and cheese than normal – reduces sodium, cholesterol, and calories.
– Add extra veggies like tomatoes, lettuce, onions – provides more fiber, nutrients, and bulk.
– Choose soft taco shells instead of fried shells – cuts calories, fat, and refined carbs.
– Swap sour cream for guacamole – improves fat quality.
– Add hot sauce instead of creamy sauces – brings flavor with no added calories.
– Choose a side salad instead of chips – increases vegetable and nutrient intake.
– Opt for water instead of a sugary soda – avoids excess sugar and calories.
Making combinations of these customizations can definitely create a healthier version of the Mexican Pizza that still satisfies the craving.
Healthier Taco Bell Alternatives
Beyond customizing it, there are also some inherently healthier menu options at Taco Bell if you are looking for lighter fare:
– Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme – saves about 200 calories over Mexican Pizza
– Chicken Soft Taco – at 180 calories, has less than 1/4 the calories. Add veggies and salsa instead of sauces.
– Veggie Power Menu Bowl – lower calorie plant-based option with greens, beans, rice, etc.
– Chicken Fiesta Taco Salad – skip chips and opt for salsa dressing for a lighter salad entree
– Soft Beef Taco Supreme – go for soft taco shell over fried shell to save 80 calories.
– Fresco Menu Items – these replace cheese, sour cream with fresher pico de gallo.
– Chicken Mini Quesadilla – smaller portion with lighter toppings than Mexican Pizza
So in summary, while the Mexican Pizza may be one of Taco Bell’s most crave-worthy options, it lands on the unhealthier end of the spectrum due to its high amounts of calories, fat, sodium, and refined carbs. Customizing your order and choosing lighter menu alternatives can help satisfy a Taco Bell craving in a healthier way. But the classic Mexican Pizza itself is hard to consider a healthy choice.
Conclusion
The Taco Bell Mexican Pizza contains a tasty combination of ingredients like ground beef, beans, cheese, and fried shells. However, taking a closer look at its full nutrition information reveals it is quite high in calories, saturated fat, sodium, and refined carbs. Compared to daily recommended health guidelines, the Mexican Pizza is very high in less healthy components.
While customizations like subbing beans for beef or skipping shells can help somewhat, the Mexican Pizza still contains concerning levels of saturated fat, sodium, and refined grains. Therefore, it would not be ranked among the healthiest options at Taco Bell.
Individuals seeking a healthier Taco Bell choice would do better choosing menu alternatives like salads, soft tacos, or fresco style items. But for an occasional indulgence, the Mexican Pizza can still be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet. Just don’t mistake it as a truly healthy fast food option.
