The Big Beef Burrito Supreme from Taco Bell is a popular menu item that packs a lot of flavor into one burrito. But like many fast food items, it can also pack a lot of calories. For people watching their calorie intake or following a specific diet plan, knowing the calorie count of menu items is important. So how many calories are actually in a Taco Bell Big Beef Burrito Supreme?
Calories in a Taco Bell Big Beef Burrito Supreme
According to the Taco Bell website, a Big Beef Burrito Supreme contains 540 calories. This is the calorie count for one standard burrito on its own, without any customizations or additions.
Here is a breakdown of the Big Beef Burrito Supreme’s nutritional information:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 540 |
| Total Fat | 24g |
| Saturated Fat | 9g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 45mg |
| Sodium | 1280mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 61g |
| Dietary Fiber | 5g |
| Sugars | 3g |
| Protein | 23g |
As you can see, the burrito contains 540 total calories, with 24g of fat, 61g of carbohydrates, and 23g of protein. It also contains a sizable amount of sodium at 1280mg.
Calorie breakdown of ingredients
To better understand where those calories are coming from, let’s break down the main ingredients in the Big Beef Burrito Supreme:
Flour tortilla
The large flour tortilla wrap accounts for about 200 calories of the burrito. Flour tortillas can range from 150-250 calories or more depending on the size and ingredients. Taco Bell’s tortillas are likely on the higher end due to their size.
Seasoned beef
The seasoned beef provides a significant protein and calorie source. A single serving of Taco Bell’s seasoned beef contains about 110 calories. With the large amount of beef stuffed into the Big Beef Burrito Supreme, it likely packs over 200 calories from the beef alone.
Lettuce
Being mostly water, the lettuce provides very minimal calories to the burrito. The small amount of shredded lettuce adds fewer than 10 calories.
Onions
Onions are also very low in calories. The onion in the Big Beef Burrito Supreme only contributes around 5 calories.
Red Sauce
Taco Bell’s red sauce adds flavor without too many calories. The 2-3 tablespoons in the burrito amount to around 20 calories.
Cheese
Cheese is a higher calorie ingredient, with 100g of cheddar cheese containing around 400 calories. The cheese in the burrito contributes about 70 calories.
Sour Cream
The sour cream adds a creamy tanginess while also adding more calories. Around 2-3 tablespoons of sour cream can add 50 calories to the burrito.
Factors that alter the calories
While the standard Big Beef Burrito Supreme contains 540 calories, there are some factors that can alter the final calorie count:
Ingredients added
Adding extra ingredients like guacamole, bacon, rice, or jalapeños will increase the calorie count. Guacamole adds around 50 calories per serving, bacon around 45 calories, pinto beans around 110 calories, and jalapeños negligible calories.
Supreme vs Regular
The regular Beef Burrito without “Supreme” contains reduced calories at 350 calories. The Supreme version has added ingredients like sour cream, which increases the calories.
Taco Bell preparation
There may be slight variations in preparation across different Taco Bell locations that lead to calorie differences. More generous cheese or sauce portions could add more calories.
Daily calorie intake
To put the 540 calories into context, here is a look at recommended daily calorie intake:
Women
– Sedentary (little exercise): 2,000 calories
– Moderately Active: 2,200-2,400 calories
– Active (exercising most days): 2,400-2,800 calories
Men
– Sedentary: 2,500 calories
– Moderately Active: 2,700-3,000 calories
– Active: 3,000-3,500 calories
So the Big Beef Burrito Supreme contains about 25% of daily calories for an average moderately active woman, or around 20% for a moderately active man. For those who are more sedentary, the burrito would provide over 25% of their daily calories.
Comparing calories of other Taco Bell items
Here is how the Big Beef Burrito Supreme compares calorie-wise to some other popular Taco Bell menu items:
| Taco Bell Item | Calories |
|---|---|
| Crunchy Taco | 170 |
| Soft Taco | 150 |
| Chicken Quesadilla | 520 |
| Nachos BellGrande | 850 |
| Burrito Supreme | 370 |
| Mexican Pizza | 770 |
As you can see, the Big Beef Burrito Supreme contains significantly more calories than basic items like regular tacos. However, it has fewer calories than larger combo items like the Nachos BellGrande. Compared to the regular Burrito Supreme, the Big Beef version contains 170 more calories.
Low calorie ordering tips
If you want to lower the calorie count of your Taco Bell order, here are some tips:
– Choose soft or crunchy tacos, or bean burritos for lower calorie options
– Skip cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and creamy sauces
– Choose chicken or steak instead of seasoned beef
– Ask for lettuce wraps instead of taco shells or tortillas
– Opt for fresco style preparations that replace cheese and sour cream with pico de gallo
– Drink water instead of sugary sodas or shakes
With some simple customizations and menu choices, you can enjoy Taco Bell while still watching your calorie intake.
Should you eat the whole burrito in one sitting?
With 540 calories, the Big Beef Burrito Supreme packs quite a caloric punch. Eating the entire burrito in one sitting means you’ll be consuming over 25% of your daily recommended calories just from this one item.
Whether or not you should eat the whole thing depends on your individual calorie needs and daily eating habits:
– If you have a higher calorie allowance for the day, eating the whole burrito may be fine. Just account for the calories.
– If you’re following a lower calorie diet, consider splitting the burrito into two portions of around 270 calories each.
– For a very low calorie diet, one portion may still be too calorie-dense. Only eat half the burrito.
– If you’re hungry and physically active, your calorie needs may be able to accommodate the whole burrito.
– If you ate a lot of other calories earlier in the day, you may want to save half for another meal.
In general, it’s best to pay attention to your hunger cues and calorie targets to decide if the entire burrito works for your needs that day. Portioning part of it for later is always an option if the whole thing is too calorie-dense for a single meal.
Healthier and lower calorie burrito options
While tasty, the Big Beef Burrito Supreme is quite high in calories and fat. Here are some ideas for lighter and healthier burritos:
Veggie burrito
Swap the beef for beans and load up on vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and spinach. Use a whole grain tortilla and limit the cheese.
Chicken fajita burrito
Choose grilled chicken breast, onions, peppers, lettuce, salsa, and a sprinkle of cheese.
Breakfast burrito
Make it with scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, spinach, peppers, beans, and reduced-fat cheese.
Brown rice burrito
Use brown rice, black beans, chicken, avocado, cotija cheese, and roasted veggie mix.
Burrito bowl
Build a burrito without the tortilla. Top salad greens with seasoned lean protein, beans, salsa, and a little cheese/guacamole.
The bottom line
A Taco Bell Big Beef Burrito Supreme packs a hefty 540 calories along with over 24g of fat. While high in calories, an occasional indulgence may be fine for most healthy individuals. You can also customize the burrito to be lower in calories, or look for lighter menu options to keep your meal within your calorie target. Being mindful of portions and what else you eat for the day can help the burrito fit into an overall balanced diet.
