Additional Coverage:
- Avoid These 6 Unhealthy Taco Bell Items and Order These Instead (momswhothink.com)
Navigating the Bell: Unmasking Taco Bell’s Most & Least Healthy Bites
While the allure of Taco Bell’s cheesy, flavorful creations is undeniable, it’s no secret that some menu items pack a much bigger punch when it comes to calories, sodium, and less-than-ideal ingredients. For those looking to enjoy their next visit without derailing their health goals, understanding the nutritional profiles of these “calorie bombs” is key.
Join us as we take a journey through the history of this iconic fast-food chain, break down the nutritional facts of its most notorious offerings, and highlight what to look out for. Your next Taco Bell run will be a breeze once you’re equipped with the knowledge to make smarter choices. Let’s dive into the unhealthiest Taco Bell foods and discover some healthier alternatives.
The Origin Story of Taco Bell
The Taco Bell saga began with inspiration from Mitla Cafe, a San Bernardino, California, eatery that popularized affordable hard-shell tacos in 1937. Located conveniently off Route 66, it became a hit with travelers. A frequent patron, Glenn Bell, saw an opportunity in 1951 to expand on Mitla’s success, aiming to mass-produce these beloved tacos.
Adopting a fast-food model similar to McDonald’s, which had opened nearby, Bell launched the very first Taco Bell in 1964, quickly moving into franchising. As of March 2025, Taco Bell boasts an impressive 8,757 restaurants globally, remaining a dominant force in the fast-food landscape with an expanded menu, loyalty programs, and mobile ordering capabilities.
The Most Unhealthy Taco Bell Foods
Prepare yourselves, because some of these numbers might make your head spin!
1. Double Steak Grilled Cheese Burrito
Kicking off our list is the Double Steak Grilled Cheese Burrito, a formidable contender at 920 calories. This single item delivers 44 grams of total fat (18 grams saturated), 40 grams of protein, 7 grams of sugar, 91 grams of carbohydrates, and a staggering 2,170 milligrams of sodium. Considering the recommended daily sodium intake for adults hovers around 2,300 milligrams, this burrito nearly covers your entire day’s allowance.
2. Nachos BellGrande
Next up, the Nachos BellGrande. When “grande” is in the name, you can often expect a generous-and often unhealthy-portion.
This item rings in at 730 calories, with 38 grams of total fat, 81 grams of carbohydrates, and 1,130 milligrams of sodium-about half the daily recommended intake. Topped with fatty, salty beef, cheese sauce, and other rich additions, nutritionists frequently label these nachos as one of Taco Bell’s worst due to their high carbohydrate and saturated fat content, which can surprisingly lead to more cravings and overeating.
3. Fiesta Taco Salad
Don’t let the word “salad” fool you! The Fiesta Taco Salad, while significantly lower in calories at 340, still makes our list.
It contains 17 grams of total fat, 28 grams of carbohydrates, and 910 milligrams of sodium. The catch?
This “salad” is more akin to a large, crunchy beef taco, complete with a substantial shell and numerous toppings. Customization is key here: adding more vegetables and opting out of sour cream or meat in favor of rice and beans can improve its nutritional standing.
Conversely, piling on extra cheese, meat, or sodium-laden sauces will quickly negate any potential benefits.
4. The Grande Scrambler Breakfast Burrito
For a salty start to your day, look no further than the Grande Scrambler Breakfast Burrito. Without meat, this packed burrito contains 580 calories, 64 grams of carbohydrates, 29 grams of fat, 17 grams of protein, and a hefty 1,230 milligrams of sodium. Adding meat will only boost these numbers in the wrong direction.
5. Cheesy Gordita Crunch
The Cheesy Gordita Crunch features a flatbread with three cheeses, a crunchy hard-shell interior, beef, spicy ranch, lettuce, and more shredded cheese. Many of these ingredients are red flags for calorie counters.
This item has 490 calories, 28 grams of total fat, 41 grams of carbohydrates, 20 grams of protein, and 840 milligrams of sodium. While its sodium count is the lowest on this list, consuming more than two of these will quickly push you past your daily limit.
6. Beefy 5-Layer Burrito
Rounding out our list is the Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, also at 490 calories. Eating four of these puts you close to the suggested daily calorie limit for adult females, and five will place you just under the limit for adult males.
This burrito packs 18 grams of total fat, 65 grams of carbohydrates, 18 grams of protein, and a substantial 1,260 milligrams of sodium per serving. With no lettuce, and a combination of beans, cheese, nacho cheese sauce, sodium-saturated beef, and reduced-fat sour cream, this order can quickly go “into the red” with any added toppings.
Remember, customization is your friend: adding more vegetables and less salty meats can make a healthier difference.
What To Order Instead
Now that you’re armed with knowledge about what to approach with caution, let’s explore some of Taco Bell’s healthier options that won’t completely derail your nutritional goals.
1. Bean Burrito
The Bean Burrito is not only a tasty choice but also one of Taco Bell’s healthier offerings. At 350 calories, it’s a straightforward combination of beans, cheese, and a flour tortilla.
As of 2025, it contains 10 grams of total fat, 54 grams of carbohydrates, and 13 grams of protein. While its sodium level hits just over 1,000 milligrams, enjoying these in moderation is key.
2. Crunchy Taco
A classic for a reason, the Crunchy Taco comes in at a modest 170 calories, with 9 grams of total fat, 13 grams of carbohydrates, and 7 grams of protein. It also delivers 8 grams of protein. You can further enhance its nutritional value by adding fresh vegetable toppings, rice, beans, or low-fat sour cream.
3. Triple Layer Nachos
Don’t be deterred by the “triple” in the name; these Triple Layer Nachos contain only 320 calories. Featuring chips, cheese, pinto beans, and sauce, they have 15 grams of total fat, 40 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of protein, and 550 milligrams of sodium per serving. Like many items, they can be customized to your liking.
4. Power Menu Veggie Bowl
Finally, the Power Menu Veggie Bowl from Taco Bell’s “Power Menu” is a comprehensive and relatively healthy meal. It boasts 410 calories, 20 grams of total fat, 47 grams of carbohydrates, 12 grams of protein, and 870 milligrams of sodium.
This bowl comes with beans, rice, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. You can easily add meats, more fresh chopped tomatoes, or other healthy additions to suit your preferences.
With this guide in hand, you’re ready to navigate the Taco Bell menu like a pro, making choices that satisfy your cravings without sacrificing your health.
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- Avoid These 6 Unhealthy Taco Bell Items and Order These Instead (momswhothink.com)