The Quesarito from Taco Bell has developed a cult following among fast food lovers. This Mexican-inspired concoction wraps rice, beef, cheese, and chipotle sauce in a cheesy quesadilla shell. With its rich flavors and hearty ingredients, the Quesarito satisfies cravings and hunger. But is it actually a healthy option?
What is in the Quesarito?
The Quesarito contains the following main ingredients:
- Flour tortilla – Used to make the quesadilla shell
- Rice – Taco Bell uses a Mexican-style long grain rice
- Seasoned beef – The ground beef is seasoned with Taco Bell’s signature spices
- Cheese – A three cheese blend of cheddar, pepper jack, and mozzarella
- Chipotle sauce – Adds a smoky, spicy flavor
- Lettuce – Shredded iceberg lettuce
- Tomatoes – Diced tomatoes
- Onions – Chopped onions
- Sour cream – Optional topping to add a creamy tang
The ingredient list reveals that the Quesarito is high in calories, fat, and sodium compared to typical healthy meals. The main culprits are the seasoned beef, rice, cheese, and creamy sour cream. While ingredients like lettuce, tomatoes, and onions add some nutrients, the less healthy ingredients dominate this dish.
Nutrition Information
Here are the nutrition facts for a standard Taco Bell Quesarito:
| Amount Per Item | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Quesarito | 520 | 25 g | 45 g | 19 g | 1210 mg |
As we can see, the Quesarito is very high in calories, fat, carbs, and sodium. Let’s break these down:
Calories – At 520 calories, the Quesarito accounts for over 1/4 of a 2000 calorie diet. Eating one of these wraps is like eating a small meal.
Fat – With 25 grams of fat, the Quesarito provides about 40% of recommended daily fat intake. Much of this comes from the beef, cheese, and sour cream.
Carbs – The combination of the tortilla, rice, and other toppings adds up to 45 grams of carbs. This is a significant amount from one menu item.
Sodium – The very high 1210 milligrams of sodium is over half of the daily 2300 mg limit recommended by dietary guidelines.
Clearly, the Quesarito’s nutrition stats reveal it is not exactly a healthy choice. The saturated fat, carbohydrates, and sodium alone should give you pause. Consuming dishes with this nutritional profile on a regular basis is associated with increased risk for obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions.
Does it provide important nutrients?
Beyond just calories, fat, carbs, and sodium, we should analyze whether the Quesarito delivers any beneficial vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients.
The ingredients do contain some valuable nutrients:
- Protein – The 19 grams of protein help support muscle growth and satisfaction.
- Vitamin C – Tomatoes provide this essential vitamin and antioxidant.
- Calcium – The cheese contains calcium for strong bones.
- Iron – The beef supplies iron to prevent anemia.
- Fiber – The rice, tortilla, and onions supply a bit of filling fiber.
However, most experts would agree these beneficial nutrients are far outweighed by the unhealthy aspects of saturated fat, sodium, and calories in the standard recipe. You can find these nutrients from healthier food sources.
How does it fit with dietary guidelines?
Government nutrition standards can also help analyze if the Quesarito aligns with a balanced, healthy diet:
- MyPlate – The Quesarito would use up most of your Grains and Protein servings for a meal or day, leaving little room for the recommended intake of Fruits, Vegetables, and Dairy.
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans – With its high saturated fat and sodium counts, the Quesarito does not fit well within these evidence-based federal nutrition recommendations.
- Healthy Eating Index – The HEI gives high scores to vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. The Quesarito contains very few of these encouraged foods.
As we can see, national nutrition standards uniformly confirm the Quesarito is not an optimal choice and does not contribute to a healthy overall diet. It lacks the balance encouraged by dietary guidance.
How does it compare to other Taco Bell menu items?
Taco Bell offers a range of menu items with varying degrees of nutrients and health impacts. How does the Quesarito stack up to other options when dining at this fast food chain?
| Item | Calories | Fat | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quesarito | 520 | 25g | 1210mg |
| Black Bean Burrito | 370 | 8g | 1090mg |
| Chicken Soft Taco | 180 | 5g | 370mg |
| Fresco Chicken Soft Taco | 150 | 3.5g | 470mg |
Compared to other items, the Quesarito emerges as one of the less healthy options at Taco Bell based on its higher calorie, fat, and sodium contents. Meatless choices like the Black Bean Burrito or Chicken Soft Taco are lower in these unhealthy metrics. The Fresco Chicken Taco, which replaces cheese and sour cream with pico de gallo, is the most balanced item in the table.
So within Taco Bell’s own menu, there are clearly healthier picks than the heavy, cheesy Quesarito. Those seeking a more nutritious fast food meal should steer their order away from this famously decadent option.
Healthier ways to customize your Quesarito
For those who crave the unique taste of the Quesarito, there are some simple ways to lighten it up:
- Ask for less rice and beef to reduce carbs, fat, and calories
- Substitute chicken or steak for the greasy seasoned beef
- Get it “Fresco style” to replace cheese and sour cream with pico de gallo
- Add extra veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and peppers
- Request just one layer of the tortilla instead of the full quesadilla
- Skip the creamy chipotle sauce to decrease fat and sodium
- Avoid adding extras like guacamole, bacon, or potatoes
Implementing some of these tweaks can help lower the calorie count into the 300-400 range while still letting you enjoy the classic Quesarito elements. Building your meal with more wholesome fresh ingredients can also increase nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Healthy alternative meals
If you want to skip the Quesarito and its questionable nutrition stats altogether, many healthier and satisfying meals exist:
Build a taco salad – Choose lean grilled chicken or steak over a salad base with beans, salsa, avocado, lettuce, peppers, onion, corn, and just a bit of shredded cheese. The fiber-rich veggies and plant-based protein make this a nutritional all-star.
Brown rice burrito bowl – Swap out the fatty beef for black or pinto beans and brown rice for a plant-powered burrito bowl bursting with fiber. Load it up with non-starchy veggies, healthy fats from avocado, and fresh lime juice.
Fajita plate – Opt for shrimp, chicken, or flank steak fajitas with sauteed peppers and onions over a bed of spinach. Wrap in just 1-2 corn tortillas to limit carbs and calories. The lean protein, veggies, and dose of spices make a delicious Mexican meal.
Chicken tortilla soup – This flavorful soup contains chicken, tomato, onion, chile peppers, broth, avocado, and just a handful of crunchy tortilla strips. The balance of protein, veggies, and complex carbs supplies a healthy comforting dish.
These alternatives provide the Tex-Mex flavors you crave while emphasizing nutritious ingredients like lean protein, fiber-rich beans and veggies, healthy fats, and spices. Creating your own Mexican-inspired bowl or salad allows you to control the contents for a satisfying meal that aligns with dietary recommendations.
The bottom line
The Quesarito’s appealing taste and texture may call your name amid the Taco Bell menu. However, virtually all nutrition and health authorities would agree this indulgent menu item should only be an occasional treat. With its high amounts of saturated fat, sodium, carbs, and calories, the standard Quesarito recipe does not contribute to a balanced diet. It instead tips the scales towards increased risk for chronic disease when consumed regularly.
Lightening up your Quesarito order with lean proteins and extra veggies can make this crave-worthy mash-up slightly less detrimental to your health. But avoiding this high-calorie concoction altogether and choosing more wholesome alternatives is the healthiest path for most diners. While an occasional Quesarito may be manageable for some, it should not become a dietary habit. At the end of the day, your body and well-being deserve better nutrition than this decadent fast food Frankenstein.
