We all love Chipotle, and those who say they don't, are big fat liars!!! However, there is a slight problem that these delicious Mexican choices wreak havoc upon. No, it's not a stained underwear that requires you to go out and buy Chipotlaway (as caused to believe by South Park). It's the hidden calories that we all fear and are unaware of. We think a simple tortilla on burritos are only there to hold our fixings together, but we do not realize that this simple stapler packs on at over 300 calories. That's a whole lot of calories for something that looks and tastes like a piece of paper.
Then there are also the choices of toppings and condiments, such as sour cream and cheese that we all love to add on to complete our meals. However, they also pack on the pounds. WHAT THE FUNK!?!? Are we just supposed give up our favorite Mexican pig out!?? No way!! And guess what!? You now don't have to choose between living healthily or dying happy! You can LIVE HEALTHILY AND HAPPILY!! There's no dying here!!! Not on my watch.
So what's the catch? Is this some kind of paradox?? How can we eat "fattening" Chipotle and NOT pack on the weight?! What is GOING ON HERE?!?!
The answer is really not as complicated as we may think. It's actually pretty cut and simple.
Here is a guide to HEALTHY eating at Chipotle!! HAPPY??? I SURE AM!!
RULE 1: DROP THE BURRITO. GRAB THE BOWL!!!
The difference between a burrito and a burrito bowl is simply the tortilla. The tortilla is made of unhealthy refine white flour that provides no nutrition and is simple a wrapper for you to hold. It has no taste, may even be expired and racks from 340-400 calories EACH!! That's basically eating calories of two meals in one! Grab the burrito bowl instead. It not only saves you calories but here's the good news, you actually get MORE with the bowl. They give you more meat, rice, beans, etc when you opt for the bowl because they don't need the space to roll up the burrito. So not only are you replacing refined saturated fat with more nutritious toppings, but even with the extra meat and rice, you still save calories. Yea, the tortilla has more calories than extra toppings! How scary is that!?
RULE 2: HARD > SOFT (That's what she said!)
A lot of us prefer soft tacos because they are less messy and easier to eat. But what soft tacos really are, are mini burritos. They still contain the fattening refined white flour tortilla, which is so BAD for us and provides us with no sustenance at all! Just because they are smaller tortillas does not take away the calories because they give you two when you order them, which comes up to about 300 calories, that WE STILL DON'T NEED! Compare that to hard shelled tacos, which come up at 240 calories. They may not necessarily be more nutritious but if you have to have a shelled taco, save yourself some calories and go for Mr. HARD!
RULE 3: BROWN RICE > WHITE RICE
Some may prefer white rice because of the lime and cilantro taste, but we all know that brown rice always trumps white rice. However, even though brown rice is more nutritious, the calories are basically the same, so if you want the tangy taste of the white rice once in awhile, go for it.
RULE 4: FAJITA VEGGIES > BLACK/PINTO BEANS (For carnivores)
Unless you're a vegetarian and require beans for protein sources, then opt for both. However, if you are eating a meat and are deciding between fajitas or beans, opt for the fajitas because they contain 30 less calories than the beans. Don't get me wrong. They're both nutritious, but if you like counting calories, then this is your option.
RULE 5: BLACK BEANS > PINTO BEANS
Black beans and pinto beans are both nutritious and are similar in calories. But if you ever ask yourself which is healthier, then black beans win. Black beans contain more antioxidants and fiber than pinto beans. They are also higher in protein and contain lower levels of cholesterol.
RULE 6: NIX SOUR CREAM & CHEESE. PICK LETTUCE AND GUACAMOLE.
Sour cream and cheese are fan favorites and are chosen by many as their "dairy source". However, these two choices are one of the worst dairy options you could possibly pick. They are high in saturated fat and provide little benefits for the body. They also add on extra unnecessary calories. Sour cream (120 calories) and cheese (110 calories). However, by choosing lettuce, you can add more vegetables to your meal with barely any calories and guacamole is a great choice because of the benefits that avocado provides. Guacamole (at 170 calories may scare some people who count calories, but they contian healthy fats). Healthy fats of avocado trumps unhealthy fats of sour cream. If you still need a dairy in your meal, pick up a bottle of low fat milk instead.
RULE 7: TRASH THE CHIPS!!!!!
I know you all want some nachos to complete your meal. We all do. They're delicious and fun to eat Sometimes too fun. We eat them unconsciously and the next thing you know, you would have just eaten 500 calories in ADDITION to your meal. Chips are completely made of carbs and fat, not healthy at all! Drop the chips and reach for carrots or an apple. SAY NEVER TO THE CHIP-PERS!!
My idea of the perfect Chipotle meal:
Non-Vegetarian Option:
Bowl: Chicken, Fajita Veggies, Brown Rice, Mild Tomato Salsa, Lettuce (589 Calories)
Vegetarian Option:
Bowl: Black Beans, Fajita Veggies, Brown Rice, Mild Tomato Salsa, Lettuce (500 Calories)
Traditional Chipotle the average American chooses:
Burrito: Chicken, Black Beans, White Rice, Medium Corn Salsa, Sour Cream, Cheese, Lettuce
Guacamole & Chips (1924 WHOPPING CALORIES!!!)
That's a whole day's worth of calories in one simple meal!!! No wonder why Americans are obese!
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