Is Chipotle really healthy?

ryansworld731

I'm starting to watch my health and intake now that I am over 30 My wife and I love to eat at Chipotle but when looking at their nutrition stats it is just too many calories for a meal, maybe splitting a meal is best.

I feel like most people think Chipotle is healthy but I don't see how it is any better than say McDonalds given an average meal there appears to be 1,100+ calories.

Marketing win for Chipotle or what?

cmriverside

mmmm. Chipotle.

Take half of it home. Leave off the sour cream and ask for the cheese and guacamole or avocado on the side so you can add it yourself. It's good whole food, just a lot of it. Many people can easily fit 1000 calories in for a meal, though.

When I go somewhere like Chipotle it's a planned meal and I fit it in my daily calories. Obviously with 1600 calories a day as my goal, I have to be somewhat cautious. It's good you are looking at the calorie values of food you like! Knowledge is power.

malibu927

Healthy is relative. When I go I get a bowl (the tortillas are very high calorie) and half the normal serving of rice. That usually cuts me down to 500-600 calories.

Shull_rachael

I saw this post and laugh to myself. I remember when I had a misconception that it was healthy. Then I started tracking my calories. I went in there and tracked my burrito it was like 2000 cal just for the burrito granted I don't eat the whole thing but still. It really isn't any healthier than anywhere else the only thing that matters in weight loss of calorie deficiency.

jemhh

Everything in moderation. Though I have never heard anybody in real life say that Chipotle is healthy, mostly due to the huge portions (which goes back to moderation.)

Gallowmere1984

Chipotle isn't too dense on the calories if you get a bowl instead of a burrito. Those tortillas are ridiculous.

H_Ock12

I find the chicken bowls to be fairly balanced macro-wise and a bowl, half a serving of chips, and a protein shake will pretty much fill me up for the day, within about 100 calories of my goal, too!

Boland_D

It's not horrible for you, but it's not a super food.
It's better than McDonald's because it's not as processed.
Depends on who you're talking to honestly.
I treat Chipotle like any other meal out bc it's high in fat and sodium.
Maybe don't eat the whole thing? I get a bowl with tortillas on the side w/water and eat half and it's very filling.

cwolfman13

ryansworld731 wrote: »

I'm starting to watch my health and intake now that I am over 30 My wife and I love to eat at Chipotle but when looking at their nutrition stats it is just too many calories for a meal, maybe splitting a meal is best.

I feel like most people think Chipotle is healthy but I don't see how it is any better than say McDonalds given an average meal there appears to be 1,100+ calories.

Marketing win for Chipotle or what?

Healthy has nothing to do with calories...there are many nutritionally awesome foods that are also calorie bombs.

As fast food goes, I'd say it's a better option nutritionally speaking that many places...but portions are still huge as with most restaurants...but that has nothing to do with nutrition...i.e. "healthy".

jemhh

Gallowmere1984 wrote: »

Chipotle isn't too dense on the calories if you get a bowl instead of a burrito. Those tortillas are ridiculous.

One of my friends gets her burrito double wrapped. I admit to thinking about how many calories in tortilla alone that would be. Just looked it up and they are 300 cal each.

fitoverfortymom

I love Chipotle, but it's a challenge making the calories work, I agree. I typically get a kids meal or a bowl and choose rice or beans, not both, which for me is where the calories add up. I will also choose cheese or sour cream, or have them go light on both. I do love the quality of ingredients, but it's also trade off on calories. I used to eat in one Chipotle bowl almost the calories I eat in also need entire day now.

nomorepuke

Subway and Chipotle are the healthiest fast food chain I can think of. Although I don't eat any of that crap.

Unknown

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ibamosaserreinas

I get chicken tacos, black beans, no rice, just a little sour cream, with the pico. Pretty reasonable. I usually eat two of the three tacos.

You CAN eat healthy there.

richardgavel

I get the chicken tacos which are perfectly fine as a meal, little cup of rice on the side. Suggesting Chipotle is high calorie because of those massive burritos though? And what's nice is their web site allows you to do nutrition based on each component of a dish (pick the meat, toppings, etc.) As opposed to one catch all.

starryphoenix

My friends are body builders. I think those are the only kind of people that don't have to worry about gaining weight. Cafe Rio is another one I have to be careful with. I think they are healthy, you just have to be careful.

janejellyroll

My regular meal at Chipotle is under 400 calories and gives me a ton of protein, fiber, and vitamins. You literally build your own meal there so you can control the calorie content yourself. If you go to the website, you can play around with the options until you find the calorie/macro balance that meets your needs.

If you choose options that make it "too many calories" for a meal, that's on you.

ninerbuff

ryansworld731 wrote: »

I'm starting to watch my health and intake now that I am over 30 My wife and I love to eat at Chipotle but when looking at their nutrition stats it is just too many calories for a meal, maybe splitting a meal is best.

I feel like most people think Chipotle is healthy but I don't see how it is any better than say McDonalds given an average meal there appears to be 1,100+ calories.

Marketing win for Chipotle or what?

Calories and content are 2 different things. Cashews are high calorie. A Jolly Rancher isn't. If you went calorie for calorie, what do you think would have a better impact on your health?

As for Chipotle, "health" isn't just about food. You can have a healthy diet with just about ANY FOOD in it if you're also supplying a good amount of other nutritious foods. But even with the best eating, if your weight, genetics, mind health, risk behavior, rest, and overall happiness aren't on par, then you STILL risk a health issue.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

MelanieCN77

Leave off the cheese and sour cream, guac on the side and maybe don't eat it all. I think the other day I got white rice, pinto beans, veggies, salsa, corn and lettuce and it was 400 cals. With the guac adding I think another 200 that made two meals for a busy day on the go.

Rocbola

When compared to most restaurants, Chipotle is not too bad. I love a good veggie bowl! But, when compared to fresh produce, or a meal prepared at home, ANY RESTAURANT is sub-par. No matter how healthy the base ingredients are, if a restaurant going compete with all the other restaurants out there, they will need to add salt, and often times oil or sugar.

Barbs2222

I get a bowl and come home and make my own tacos out of it, I use store bought tortillas. I can make one bowl stretch to 3 meals. I appreciate that they try to buy free range meat. I have animal rights welfare issues. Plus it's in walking distance of my house and the only times I buy food out are when I've had a few too many beers. As for healthy I believe it's far superior to McDonald's but I'm not a nutrition expert. Well wait, today after coming home from costco I ate 1/2 of piece of pizza. So I shouldn't say "the only time"

ryansworld731

I understand calories and nutrition are not necessarily at odds all the time but even if say a cashew is nutritious but calorie dense you wouldn't eat 1,200 calories worth of them at a time!

I was just rambling about chipotle because everyone, I personally know, goes there says its healthy and then proceeds to eat 1,200 calories in 15 minutes! I still love their food but maybe next time I'll just buy one bowl and split it with my wife instead of each of us getting a bowl on our own.

BTW my mindset right now is weight loss so calories do matter, a lot. Physics!

malibu927

ryansworld731 wrote: »

I understand calories and nutrition are not necessarily at odds all the time but even if say a cashew is nutritious but calorie dense you wouldn't eat 1,200 calories worth of them at a time!

I was just rambling about chipotle because everyone, I personally know, goes there says its healthy and then proceeds to eat 1,200 calories in 15 minutes! I still love their food but maybe next time I'll just buy one bowl and split it with my wife instead of each of us getting a bowl on our own.

BTW my mindset right now is weight loss so calories do matter, a lot. Physics!

Most of them probably aren't aware how calorie dense Chipotle is

Gallowmere1984

malibu927 wrote: »

ryansworld731 wrote: »

I understand calories and nutrition are not necessarily at odds all the time but even if say a cashew is nutritious but calorie dense you wouldn't eat 1,200 calories worth of them at a time!

I was just rambling about chipotle because everyone, I personally know, goes there says its healthy and then proceeds to eat 1,200 calories in 15 minutes! I still love their food but maybe next time I'll just buy one bowl and split it with my wife instead of each of us getting a bowl on our own.

BTW my mindset right now is weight loss so calories do matter, a lot. Physics!

Most of them probably aren't aware how calorie dense Chipotle is

Which is pretty funny when you consider the public lashings they've gotten over that "thousand calorie burrito" thing. I don't even own a TV and I saw that *kitten*. Seriously, you have to be willfully ignorant at this point, to not be aware.

schmanciepants

I have used Chipotle's nutrition calculator, and a salad with double fajita veggies, a protein, salsa, and half of the cheese isn't too bad....I skip the rice and tortillas to make it fit.

ClubSilencio

Rice and beans and guacamole... it's hard to beat that when you're on the go.

Has anyone tried Moe's? Do they let you add more scoops of rice and beans?

littlechiaseed

No it's high cal and salty AF. I go there once in awhile but mostly because they are veg friendly, unlike most chains.

cwolfman13

Gallowmere1984 wrote: »

malibu927 wrote: »

ryansworld731 wrote: »

I understand calories and nutrition are not necessarily at odds all the time but even if say a cashew is nutritious but calorie dense you wouldn't eat 1,200 calories worth of them at a time!

I was just rambling about chipotle because everyone, I personally know, goes there says its healthy and then proceeds to eat 1,200 calories in 15 minutes! I still love their food but maybe next time I'll just buy one bowl and split it with my wife instead of each of us getting a bowl on our own.

BTW my mindset right now is weight loss so calories do matter, a lot. Physics!

Most of them probably aren't aware how calorie dense Chipotle is

Which is pretty funny when you consider the public lashings they've gotten over that "thousand calorie burrito" thing. I don't even own a TV and I saw that *kitten*. Seriously, you have to be willfully ignorant at this point, to not be aware.

I think even if they're aware, for many, the information is meaningless because theirs no real context. Before I was on MFP, I was aware of calories in most things, but it was just meaningless information for me because I didn't have any context and had no idea what that meant for my body...it was basically just a number.

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cwolfman13

ryansworld731 wrote: »

I understand calories and nutrition are not necessarily at odds all the time but even if say a cashew is nutritious but calorie dense you wouldn't eat 1,200 calories worth of them at a time!

I was just rambling about chipotle because everyone, I personally know, goes there says its healthy and then proceeds to eat 1,200 calories in 15 minutes! I still love their food but maybe next time I'll just buy one bowl and split it with my wife instead of each of us getting a bowl on our own.

BTW my mindset right now is weight loss so calories do matter, a lot. Physics!

Calories always matter which is where portion control comes in regardless of the healthfulness of anything.

Your friends likely are either unaware of the calories in what they're eating or if they are aware, it's not particularly meaningful data to them.

H_Ock12

ClubSilencio wrote: »

Rice and beans and guacamole... it's hard to beat that when you're on the go.

Has anyone tried Moe's? Do they let you add more scoops of rice and beans?

Love Moe's.... Especially on Mondays! And I've never been charged more for getting extra beans or rice....Only extra meat or adding guac or queso.

shor0814

Hopefully they have cleaned up their act since salmonella, norovirus, and E. coli aren't all that healthy. That said I would still eat there if they had one here. Used to eat there all the time in Denver.

Lots of calories doesn't make something unhealthy. I can easily make a 1200 calorie burrito into 600 or 300 if that is my goal. I don't even have to change the ingredients.