The Nacho Bell Grande box from Taco Bell is a popular menu item that contains a hefty serving of nachos loaded with beef, beans, cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream and nacho chips. With its large size and indulgent ingredients, many people wonder just how many calories are packed into this over-the-top nacho creation.
In this article, we will break down the complete nutrition facts on the Nacho Bell Grande, looking at the calorie count as well as other nutrients like fat, protein, carbs and sodium. We will also compare its calories to other Taco Bell menu items and recommended daily calorie intakes. Read on to find out everything you need to know about the calorie count of the Nacho Bell Grande!
Overview of the Nacho Bell Grande Box
The Nacho Bell Grande is a limited time offering from Taco Bell that was first introduced in 2006. It has since become a popular recurring menu item due to its loaded nacho construction.
Here’s an overview of what comes in a standard Nacho Bell Grande box:
- Chips – A generous portion of Taco Bell’s tortilla chips.
- Beef – Seasoned ground beef.
- Beans – Taco Bell’s signature refried beans.
- Cheese – A three cheese blend of cheddar, pepper jack and mozzarella.
- Pico de Gallo – A fresh salsa made with chopped tomato, onion, cilantro, lime juice and seasoning.
- Sour Cream – Cool and creamy sour cream.
The chips form the base and are loaded up with warm beef, beans and cheese. The sour cream and pico de gallo add freshness and extra flavor. All these ingredients together make for an indulgent, shareable nacho experience.
Nutrition Facts for the Nacho Bell Grande
Now let’s take a look at the complete nutrition facts for a standard Nacho Bell Grande box from Taco Bell:
Nacho Bell Grande Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 box (330g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 790 |
| Fat | 37g |
| Carbohydrates | 71g |
| Fiber | 8g |
| Sugar | 3g |
| Sodium | 1930mg |
| Protein | 29g |
As you can see, a single Nacho Bell Grande box contains a total of 790 calories. It also packs 37g of fat, 71g of carbs and a whopping 1930mg of sodium.
To put the 790 calories into context, here is how the Nacho Bell Grande compares to other Taco Bell menu items:
- Crunchy Taco – 170 calories
- Soft Taco – 200 calories
- Burrito Supreme – 350 calories
- Quesadilla – 520 calories
- Nacho Bell Grande – 790 calories
As one of Taco Bell’s largest and most indulgent menu offerings, the Nacho Bell Grande unsurprisingly contains significantly more calories than standard items like tacos and burritos. The loaded nacho construction with layers of chips, beef, beans and cheese adds up quickly in terms of calorie count.
Daily Calorie Recommendations
To determine if the 790 calories in the Nacho Bell Grande is a lot or a little, we need to compare it to recommended daily calorie intakes. The number of calories a person needs per day depends on many factors like age, gender, activity level and weight goals.
According to the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, here are some general daily calorie recommendations:
- Sedentary women: 1,600 – 2,400 calories
- Sedentary men: 2,000 – 3,000 calories
- Moderately active women: 1,800 – 2,400 calories
- Moderately active men: 2,200 – 3,200 calories
- Active women: 2,000 – 2,400 calories
- Active men: 2,400 – 3,000 calories
Based on these guidelines, the 790 calories in a single Nacho Bell Grande box represents approximately 33% to 49% of most adults’ recommended daily calorie intake. For some more active individuals, it would represent 26% to 39%.
Consuming 790 calories in one sitting is quite high, especially from a fast food meal. The Nacho Bell Grande would be considered a very high calorie menu item that should be split or shared between multiple people. For most adults, consuming the entire box alone would provide nearly half or more of their total daily calorie needs.
Nutrients in the Nacho Bell Grande
Looking beyond just calories, here is a more detailed breakdown of the nutrients found in a Nacho Bell Grande box and how they compare to daily values:
Total Fat – 37g
The Nacho Bell Grande contains 37g of total fat, which represents 57% of the recommended daily value. The majority of the fat comes from the seasoned beef, cheese and sour cream. Consuming this much fat from one fast food meal is very high.
Saturated Fat – 14g
It packs 14g of saturated fat, which is 70% of the daily value. Saturated fat should be limited to avoid raising LDL “bad” cholesterol levels.
Trans Fat – 1.5g
It contains 1.5g of trans fat, representing 9% of the daily value. Trans fats like partially hydrogenated oils are even unhealthier than saturated fats and should be limited as much as possible.
Cholesterol – 115mg
Each box also contains 115mg of cholesterol, accounting for 38% of the daily value. The high cholesterol is mainly coming from the beef and cheese.
Sodium – 1,930mg
With 1,930mg of sodium, the Nacho Bell Grande provides 81% of the daily recommended value. This is an extremely high amount from one meal and over three-quarters of the maximum daily guideline.
Total Carbohydrates – 71g
There are 71g of total carbohydrates in the Nacho Bell Grande, making up 24% of the daily intake. The carbs are coming from the tortilla chips, beans and beans mainly.
Dietary Fiber – 8g
It contains 8g of fiber, providing 29% of the recommended daily value. The fiber comes mostly from the beans, chips and pico de gallo.
Sugar – 3g
There are 3g of sugar in the Nacho Bell Grande, making up just 1% of the daily value. Sugar is low since there are no added sugars.
Protein – 29g
Each box contains 29g of protein, accounting for 58% of the daily recommendation. The high protein comes primarily from the seasoned beef.
Overall, while the Nacho Bell Grande provides a significant amount of protein, it is very high in sodium, saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol. The large portion size also contains nearly half or more of most people’s recommended daily calories.
Ingredients in the Nacho Bell Grande
Now let’s take a detailed look at the ingredients that go into Taco Bell’s Nacho Bell Grande:
Tortilla Chips
The base of the nachos is made up of Taco Bell’s signature white corn tortilla chips. They provide carbs, fiber and a crunchy texture.
Seasoned Beef
Taco meat made from ground beef that is seasoned with salt, spices and other flavorings. It provides protein and fat.
Refried Beans
These are pinto beans that have been mashed and fried in oil. They add fiber, carbs and a creamy texture.
Three Cheese Blend
A mix of melted cheddar, mozzarella and pepper jack cheese. It provides calcium but also significant amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol.
Pico de Gallo
A fresh salsa made with chopped tomatoes, onion, cilantro and lime juice. It adds vitamin C, fiber and a fresh flavor.
Sour Cream
Cool and creamy sour cream made from cultured dairy. It provides fat and calcium.
These indulgent ingredients layered together are what make the Nacho Bell Grande such a craveworthy fast food option. However, they also result in the very high calories, fat and sodium.
Cooking Instructions
Taco Bell prepares the Nacho Bell Grande fresh to order using the following cooking method:
- Place a portion of tortilla chips into a tray.
- Ladle warmed refried beans evenly over the chips.
- Top with seasoned ground beef.
- Cover the beef with shredded cheddar, mozzarella and pepper jack cheese.
- Add dollops of sour cream around the nachos.
- Spoon fresh pico de gallo over the top.
- Warm in an oven or food warmer until the cheese is melted.
- Serve hot.
This layering of ingredients results in a hearty and indulgent nacho meal. The melted cheese in particular adds significant fat and calories.
Cost of a Nacho Bell Grande Box
The Nacho Bell Grande is one of the more expensive items on the Taco Bell menu. The current price for a Nacho Bell Grande Box is:
- $5.49
However, prices can vary between locations. Taco Bell frequently runs promotions where you can get the Nacho Bell Grande Box for a discounted price like $2, $3 or $4.
Tips for Reducing Calories
Here are some tips for reducing the calories if you want to make the Nacho Bell Grande a bit healthier:
- Split it – Share the nacho box with a friend to cut the calories in half.
- Skip the meat – Order it vegetarian style to remove the high-calorie beef.
- Easy on the cheese – Ask for less cheese to trim fat and calories.
- Swap chips for salad – Replace the chips with a low calorie side salad.
- Cut the sour cream – Either skip it or use a light sour cream instead.
Implementing some of these tweaks can help reduce the calorie count by a couple hundred calories. Keep portions under control and balance it with lower calorie foods the rest of the day.
Healthier Nacho Options
If you love nachos but want a lighter option, here are some healthier recipes to consider making at home:
- Chicken Nachos – Use lean chicken breast instead of beef.
- Veggie Nachos – Load up on grilled veggies instead of just beans.
- Baked Nachos – Bake instead of frying for less fat.
- Greek Yogurt Nachos – Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
With some simple substitutions and smart adjustments, you can still enjoy delicious nachos without all the extra calories and fat of the Nacho Bell Grande.
Conclusion
The Nacho Bell Grande from Taco Bell packs a caloric punch with 790 calories per serving. That’s nearly half of most adults’ recommended daily calorie intake from one fast food meal! It also contains high amounts of sodium, saturated fat and cholesterol.
While it can fit into a balanced diet in moderation and when portioned out, regularly consuming the entire Nacho Bell Grande box alone may lead to excess calorie intake. Use caution and consider sharing this indulgent high-calorie nacho box.
Implement some of the tips above for downsizing the calories to make it a healthier choice. And consider making lighter homemade nachos for a more well-rounded way to enjoy this popular appetizer.
