Taquitos are a popular Tex-Mex food, essentially consisting of a small rolled-up tortilla filled with meat, cheese, or other fillings and then deep-fried. Whataburger, the popular fast food chain based in Texas, offers its own version of taquitos on its menu, including the Egg and Cheese Taquito. For those watching their calorie intake or doing calorie counting, knowing the calorie content of menu items is important. This article will provide a detailed breakdown of the calories and other nutritional information in an Egg and Cheese Taquito from Whataburger.
Calories in a Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito
According to the Whataburger website, a single Egg and Cheese Taquito contains 270 calories. This is the total calories for one taquito as it is served by Whataburger.
Here is a quick overview of the calorie content in a Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito:
Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito Calories
| Total Calories: | 270 |
So in a single Egg and Cheese Taquito from Whataburger, you are consuming 270 total calories.
Nutrition Information for Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito
In addition to calories, looking at the full nutrition facts label can provide more detailed information on the various nutrients in the Egg and Cheese Taquito.
Here is the full nutrition information for a Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito:
Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito Nutrition Facts
| Calories | 270 |
| Total Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 7g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 140mg |
| Sodium | 730mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 16g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Sugars | 1g |
| Protein | 10g |
As you can see, in addition to the 270 calories, the Egg and Cheese Taquito also contains 18g of fat, 730mg of sodium, 16g of carbs, and 10g of protein.
So the calories provide one part of the overall nutritional profile. Looking at the full facts label gives you a more complete picture of everything that is included in the taquito.
Calories and Macros in a Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito
When analyzing the nutritional components of a food item, it can be helpful to look at the breakdown of calories from the three macronutrients:
– Fat
– Carbohydrates
– Protein
This macros breakdown can show what percentage of the calories in the Egg and Cheese Taquito come from each of these sources.
Here is the macros breakdown for a Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito:
Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito Macros
| Total Calories | 270 |
| Calories from Fat | 162 |
| Calories from Carbs | 64 |
| Calories from Protein | 40 |
| Total Fat | 18g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 16g |
| Protein | 10g |
As the table shows, of the 270 total calories in the taquito:
– 162 calories (or 60%) come from fat
– 64 calories (or 24%) come from carbohydrates
– 40 calories (or 15%) come from protein
So the majority of the calories come from fat in this food item. This macros perspective provides additional context beyond just looking at the total calories.
Comparing Calories to Other Whataburger Menu Items
To put the 270 calories for the Egg and Cheese Taquito in context, it can be useful to see how it compares to some other items on the Whataburger menu.
Here is a comparison of the calories in a Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito versus some other popular menu items:
Whataburger Menu Item Calorie Comparison
| Egg and Cheese Taquito | 270 calories |
| Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit | 460 calories |
| Sausage, Egg and Cheese Biscuit | 500 calories |
| Breakfast on a Bun | 370 calories |
| Breakfast Burger | 420 calories |
| Hash Browns | 320 calories |
As you can see, the Egg and Cheese Taquito is on the lower end for calorie content compared to most other Whataburger breakfast items. A biscuit sandwich with meat and egg will have nearly double the calories.
So if you are looking for a lower calorie breakfast option at Whataburger, the 270 calorie Egg and Cheese Taquito is a good choice compared to the higher calorie sandwiches and burgers.
Calorie Density of a Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito
In addition to just looking at total calories, another useful metric is calorie density. Calorie density measures the number of calories in a food item relative to its weight or volume.
Foods with higher calorie density will pack more calories into a smaller, heavier amount of food. Foods with lower calorie density provide fewer calories relative to their size or weight.
Determining the calorie density involves dividing the total calories by the serving size or weight.
Here is the calorie density for a Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito:
Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito Calorie Density
| Calories | 270 |
| Serving Size | 114g (4 oz) |
| Calories per gram | 2.4 cal/g |
With 270 calories per 114g serving, the Egg and Cheese Taquito has a calorie density of 2.4 calories per gram.
How does this compare to other foods? Here is a comparison of calorie density for some common foods:
Calorie Density of Common Foods
| Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito | 2.4 cal/g |
| Apple | 0.5 cal/g |
| Steak | 2.7 cal/g |
| Broccoli | 0.4 cal/g |
| French fries | 3.4 cal/g |
| Snickers bar | 5.4 cal/g |
The Egg and Cheese Taquito has a medium calorie density. It’s lower than high fat/carb foods like French fries and candy bars. But it’s higher than low density foods like fruits and vegetables.
So in terms of calorie density, the taquito provides a moderate amount of calories for its weight. This reinforces it as a lighter breakfast option relative to denser fast food sandwiches.
Factors Affecting Calories in Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito
When analyzing the calories and nutrition in a menu item like the Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito, it’s important to note that the exact numbers can vary depending on certain factors:
Size and Portion
The standard nutrition information is based on the regular full-size taquito. However, Whataburger may occasionally offer mini or bite-size versions that will have proportionally fewer calories.
Customization and Add-ons
Adding extra ingredients like additional cheese or meat will increase the calorie and nutrition counts. The basic nutrition info is for a standard taquito as ordered off the menu.
Cooking Methods and Preparation
Slight variations in frying time, oil used, or other preparation factors in an individual restaurant could alter the nutrition content to some degree. The published information represents Whataburger’s standard recipes and procedures.
Supplier Ingredients
Using different suppliers for ingredients like tortillas, cheese, oil, etc. may cause slight nutrition differences across locations or over time. Whataburger likely sources from approved, consistent suppliers, but some variance is still possible.
Serving Container
If the taquito is served in a combo with other menu items, any accompanying container, packaging, or side dishes will need to be accounted for in the total meal nutrition.
So while the standard nutritional numbers provide a good reference point, the specific details of an individual order could result in some variation from the published information.
Health and Dietary Considerations
For people monitoring their diet and nutrition, here are some health and dietary considerations for the Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito:
Calories and Weight Loss
At 270 calories, the taquito is a lower calorie option for breakfast at Whataburger. This makes it a reasonable choice if you are counting calories and allowing yourself a fast food breakfast within your daily calorie allotment.
Fat and Saturated Fat
Over 60% of the taquito’s calories come from fat. It also provides 29% of the recommended daily value for saturated fat. So it is relatively high in unhealthy fats.
Sodium
The taquito has 31% of the daily recommended value for sodium. This is quite high for a single breakfast item.
Protein
With 10g of protein, the taquito provides a good amount to help you feel full and satisfied, especially in the morning.
Fiber
The taquito is not a significant source of fiber, with only 4% of the recommended daily amount.
Nutrient Density
While it does contain some protein, the taquito is not the most nutrient-dense breakfast choice due to the high fat and sodium content. Fresh, whole food options would provide more nutrition.
So in summary, the Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito is a reasonable lower calorie fast food breakfast pick, but it is high in fat and sodium. Making fresh homemade breakfast tacos with healthier ingredients would be more nutritious.
Tips for Enjoying Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito as Part of a Healthy Lifestyle
Here are some tips for enjoying a Whataburger Egg and Cheese Taquito in moderation as part of an overall healthy lifestyle:
– Split the taquito or only eat half to reduce calories, fat, and sodium.
– Pair it with healthier sides like fresh fruit, yogurt, or oatmeal instead of hash browns or sausage.
– Order a SMALL combo and skip the sugary soda. Drink water or unsweetened tea instead.
– Watch your other meals that day and balance out the taquito’s fat and sodium with more wholesome foods and snacks.
– Don’t make it an everyday habit. Enjoy the taquito as an occasional treat, not a daily breakfast routine.
– Pay attention to portion control. Don’t overindulge just because it’s lower calorie than other menu items.
– Try customizing your order to make it healthier (egg whites only, no cheese, etc).
With smart choices to complement the taquito, you can still fit it into an overall balanced diet and active lifestyle. Moderation is key.
Conclusion
Whataburger’s Egg and Cheese Taquito provides a lower calorie breakfast option, containing 270 calories per taquito. It has moderately high calorie density, with the majority of calories coming from fat. While not the most nutritious choice, the taquito can be incorporated into a healthy diet in moderation by customizing the order, choosing healthier sides, watching portions, and balancing it with more wholesome foods. As an occasional treat, it allows Whataburger fans a way to enjoy a favorite menu item as part of an active, balanced lifestyle.
