What is the lowest calorie thing from Taco Bell?

When trying to eat healthy, fast food may seem off limits. However, most fast food chains offer lower calorie options so you can still grab a quick bite without derailing your diet. Taco Bell is no exception. While some of their famous tacos, burritos, and nachos are loaded with calories, Taco Bell has plenty of lighter choices too. So what is the absolute lowest calorie item you can order at Taco Bell? Let’s take a look at the nutrition facts and find the best options for eating low cal at this popular Mexican fast food spot.

The Lowest Calorie Items on Taco Bell’s Menu

After scouring the Taco Bell website and nutrition information, these appear to be their lowest calorie menu items:

Item Calories
Black Beans (Side Order) 80
Pintos N’ Cheese (Side Order) 120
Soft Taco (Fresco Style) 150
Cinnamon Twists 150
Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito 170

Taco Bell’s black beans contain the fewest calories, coming in at just 80 calories for a side order. Their pintos and cheese side order has 120 calories, while a fresco style soft taco, cinnamon twists, and cheesy bean and rice burrito all contain 150 calories or less. Clearly, sides, desserts, and veggie items top the list of Taco Bell’s lightest fare.

How Taco Bell’s Low Calorie Items Fit into a Healthy Diet

When eating fast food, moderation is key. While Taco Bell does offer some lower calorie options, they may still be high in sodium, fat, and preservatives. Here are some tips for enjoying Taco Bell sensibly as part of a healthy diet:

– Focus on their bean-based items. Black beans, pintos and cheese, and the cheesy bean and rice burrito maximize fiber and protein while keeping calories, fat, and carbs down.

– Customize your order. Turn any taco, burrito, or entree into a fresco style item by replacing cheese and sour cream with pico de gallo. This cuts back on saturated fat and calories.

– Watch portion sizes. While a side of black beans is only 80 calories, a full burrito quickly adds up in calories, sodium, fat, and carbs. Enjoy lighter items in appropriate portions.

– Skip extras like chips, queso, and creamy sauces. These add excess fat, carbs, and calories. Ask for salsa or pico instead.

– Choose water, unsweetened tea, or diet soda. The regular sodas and sweet tea at Taco Bell pack in added sugar and empty calories.

By sticking to veggie based sides in reasonable portions and skipping extras, you can work Taco Bell into your healthy eating plan. Moderation and customization are key to keeping calories down.

Nutrition Breakdown of Taco Bell’s Lowest Calorie Items

Let’s take a closer look at the nutrition facts for Taco Bell’s lightest menu items:

Black Beans

A side order of Taco Bell’s black beans contains 80 calories, 14g carbs, 7g protein, 4g fiber, and 5% DV for iron. With just 80 calories and ample protein and fiber, this plant based side makes a smart choice.

Pintos N Cheese

The pintos and cheese side order provides 120 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated), 13g carbs, 5g protein and 25% DV for calcium. While slightly higher in calories than the black beans, you’re getting extra protein from the cheese.

Soft Taco Fresco Style

Ordering a soft taco fresco style drops the calorie count significantly. A regular soft taco has 170 calories, while a fresco style has just 150 calories. You’ll also get less fat (5g vs 8g) and sodium (370mg vs 490mg).

Cinnamon Twists

If you’re craving something sweet, Taco Bell’s cinnamon twists hit the spot at 150 calories for a generous portion. You’ll get 22g of carbs from the fried pastry sticks dusted in cinnamon and sugar.

Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito

This vegetarian burrito provides plant based protein from the beans and rice, plus calcium from the three cheese blend. With 170 calories, 5g fat, and 24g carbs, it makes a lighter pick than beef and chicken burritos.

The Best Taco Bell Items for Vegetarians

When it comes to low cal vegetarian fare, Taco Bell has lots of tasty options:

– Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme: This crispy black bean stuffed tortilla totals 450 calories with 19g protein.

– Bean Burrito: A simple 300 calorie bean and cheese burrito with 12g protein and fiber.

– 7 Layer Burrito: Layers of rice, beans, guac, pico, cheese and more for 430 calories and 11g protein.

– Power Veggie Bowl: Rice, lettuce, beans, guac, pico, and avocado ranch make a satisfying vegetarian bowl with 14g protein and 10g fiber.

– Spicy Potato Soft Taco: Potatoes, chipotle sauce, lettuce, and cheese in a soft taco shell for just 170 calories.

– Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito: Cheesy rice, bean, and three cheese blend in a classic burrito with 12g protein.

– Black Beans Side Order: 80 calories gets you 7g plant based protein and 4g fiber.

So whether you’re craving beans, potatoes, rice, or veggies, Taco Bell can satisfy your vegetarian craving for under 500 calories.

Satisfying Low Calorie Taco Bell Orders

While their signature tacos, burritos, and nachos are indulgent, you can also build satisfying low calorie orders at Taco Bell:

Under 300 calories:
– Side of black beans (80 calories)
– 2 Cinnamon Twists (150 calories)
– Diet soda (0 calories)

Under 400 calories:
– Soft taco fresco style (150 calories)
– Side of pintos n’ cheese (120 calories)
– Side salad with salsa dressing (60 calories)
– Diet soda (0 calories)

Under 500 calories:
– Cheesy bean and rice burrito (170 calories)
– Side of black beans (80 calories)
– Cinnamon twists (150 calories)
– Unsweetened iced tea (0 calories)

With smart swaps like fresco style tacos, savvy sides picks, lighter dips and dressings, and skipping extras, you can enjoy Taco Bell in moderation as part of a low calorie diet. A few customizations go a long way to cutting calories while still enjoying the flavors.

Tips for Ordering Low Calorie Items at Taco Bell

Here are some top tips for lightening up your Taco Bell order:

– Stick to bean-based items like the black bean crunchwrap, bean burrito, and pintos n’ cheese. Beans offer fiber, plant based protein, and fewer calories than meat based options.

– Skip cheese, sauces, sour cream and go “fresco style” to cut added fat and calories.

– Order sides like black beans, cilantro rice, and guacamole to maximize nutrition in smaller portions.

– Choose soft corn or flour tortillas instead of fried taco shells or gordita bread. This saves about 60 calories per item.

– Build your own power bowl style entree with lettuce, salsa, black beans, guacamole, and pico de gallo for fresh flavor under 500 calories.

– Drink water or unsweetened tea instead of soda. Iced tea saves about 110 calories compared to a 20 oz soda.

– Opt for lighter breakfast items like the egg and potato flatbread, veggie egg wrap, or granola with yogurt and fruit.

– Enjoy desserts like cinnamon twists and caramel apple empanadas in moderation to end your meal on a sweet note.

Following these simple tips when perusing the Taco Bell menu can help you put together a satisfying 500 calorie or lower Mexican style feast. A few savvy tweaks go a long way to lighten up your Taco Bell favorites.

Filling Low Calorie Taco Bell Combos

If you want a complete Taco Bell meal under 500 calories, here are some filling combo ideas:

Veggie Power Combo – 480 calories

– Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme (450 calories)
– Side of Black Beans (80 calories)
– Diet Pepsi (0 calories)

Fresco Fiesta – 410 calories

– 2 Soft Tacos Fresco Style (300 calories)
– Side of Rice (110 calories)
– Diet Mountain Dew (0 calories)

Breakfast Pick-Me-Up – 340 calories

– Egg and Potato Flatbread (280 calories)
– Hashbrown (130 calories)
– Iced Coffee with nonfat milk (50 calories)

Protein Packed Lunch – 390 calories

– Bean Burrito (300 calories)
– Chicken Power Side Salad (70 calories)
– Diet Pepsi (0 calories)

You can mix and match light items to build complete Taco Bell meals for 500 calories or less. Focus on veggie based options, lighter sides, customizing orders “fresco style”, and skipping high calorie extras.

Allowing for Flexibility and Treats

While it’s smart to focus on lower calorie items at Taco Bell, allowing yourself flexibility is also important. Here are two ways to work in treats or higher cal favorites:

Pick Your Splurge

Choose just one higher calorie menu item to order in addition to lighter choices. For example, opting for their classic Beef Crunchwrap Supreme (510 calories) in addition to sides like cilantro rice (110 calories), black beans (80 calories), and iced tea (0 calories).

Portion Control

Order a favorite indulgent item but eat just half and take the rest to go. This allows you to satisfy a craving while controlling portions. Their Chicken Quesadilla Crunch (540 calories) can be enjoyed as a 270 calorie snack when eating just half.

Eating low calorie at Taco Bell is best approached using a mix of smarter choices, controlled portions, and allowances for cravings. An overly restrictive approach usually backfires. Allowing for flexibility and the occasional treat can help you succeed long term.

Customizing Your Menu Items

One of the best things about Taco Bell is their willingness to customize menu items. Here are some smart ways to order for lower calories:

– Make any taco or burrito “fresco style” to remove cheese, sour cream and add pico de gallo.

– Replace tortillas with lettuce wraps or taco salad shells for lower carb options.

– Swap in sides like cilantro rice, black beans, or guacamole as a filling for burritos and tacos.

– Ask for extra veggies like lettuce, onion, peppers, pico de gallo, and salsa.

– Choose flour tortillas over fried tortilla shells. A flour tortilla saves 60-80 calories.

– Skip creamy sauces and dressings and opt for salsa for a calorie cutting dip.

Don’t hesitate to request open-ended customizations as well to make items uniquely your own lower calorie meal. Small changes add up fast, so take advantage!

Low Calorie Taco Bell Menu Items – A Quick Summary

Here’s a quick recap of some of the lowest calorie options at Taco Bell and how to lighten up your order:

– Side of black beans – 80 calories
– Side of pintos n’ cheese – 120 calories
– Soft taco, fresco style – 150 calories
– Cinnamon twists – 150 calories
– Cheesy bean and rice burrito – 170 calories
– Salad with salsa dressing – 60-100 calories
– Potato soft taco – 170 calories
– Customize it “fresco style”
– Swap out tortillas for lettuce or bowls
– Skip cheese, sauces, sour cream
– Load up on veggies and salsa

Sticking to lighter sides, customizing with fresco style options, and skipping high calorie extras makes it totally possible to enjoy Taco Bell on a low calorie diet!

Conclusion

When eating at Taco Bell, the best low calorie options include sides like black beans (80 calories) and pintos n’ cheese (120 calories), along with fresco style menu items such as soft tacos (150 calories). With customizations like skipping cheese and sour cream or swapping tortillas for lettuce wraps, you can easily keep your Taco Bell order under 500 calories. Focus on veggie based options, watch portions, skip chips and soda, and allow room for occasional treats. This makes it possible to work this popular Mexican fast food spot into your healthy eating plan. So next time you’re craving Tex-Mex fast food, head to Taco Bell and order smart!

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