Chipotle is Giving Us Too Much Food

auddii

I'm having freebirds tonight, but (although as an Aggie, I'm ashamed to say) I like chipotle better. Both places charge extra for guac, but you get the world's smallest portion of guac at freebirds that is completely not worth the money.

Also choosing to forego cheese tonight. My burrito bowl will be a little more sad, but the duck confit sandwich on Wednesday will be worth it!!!

cmcollins001

This whole thread was TL;DR

Having said that, if you think any restaurant experience is the exact amount of calories as listed, then you're setting yourself up for a really disappointing reality check. Everything is estimated...everything. Even packaged foods are not 100% accurate. The main point is to get as close as you can to your goal, pay attention to what goes in your mouth, and track progress for a while and make adjustments (either calorie goals, exercise, amount of times dining out and where, etc...whatever works for you) as you go along.

Also, I know my ticker doesn't say I've lost much, but I've been here a while and I've reset my ticker for a new goal.

hgycta

I had a similar experience after contacting Dunkin Donuts asking about how many pumps of syrup were calculated for each size drink in the nutrition, and discovered my store adds about 3x that... yikes xD No wonder it was so good!

dwozniak16

I've had chipotle probably 15 times in the last 35 days, and I've lost 23 pounds..
It's really the only fast food I will eat.. So I make do with it. I always feel guilty consuming a 800-1000 calories meal in one sitting.. but it's too damn delicious haha.

Joreanasaurous

Eh. Chipotle is delicious and only eaten occasionally. I ways go in there knowing full well I'm leaving stuffed from eating too much and I'm a a-okay with that.

Annie_01

I find it incredibly funny that when someone logs on here and says they are having problems losing weight, the very first response (and the 80 pile-on posts behind that) is "You're eating too much" and "you're not being accurate" and "you are underestimating.".

Yet when somebody comes on and tries to give info about how a popular chain can be calorically inaccurate, they're told to man up and stop whining.

I also love how respondents on this site will talk about calories as if they were some precise measurement ..." adjust by 100 calories"..." you need to up your calories by 250..." etc.

It's all very entertaining.

I'm sorry, did you say something. I thought you did but with no face it just sounds like mumbling. Sorry there faceless warrior.

I usually find faceless peeps with no friends to be trolls by there OP.

So...if we don't post a picture of ourselves...we are trolls???

Oh well...I have been called worse I suppose.

Please see bold. LOL

To be honest...I only accept friend requests because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. I am a horrible friend. I don't give thumbs up...or likes...or way to goes.

Honestly...I never thought about judging anyone based on if they have friends or not...especially on a message board.

I don't know...maybe that is just me...seems a little strange...I think.

yopeeps025

I find it incredibly funny that when someone logs on here and says they are having problems losing weight, the very first response (and the 80 pile-on posts behind that) is "You're eating too much" and "you're not being accurate" and "you are underestimating.".

Yet when somebody comes on and tries to give info about how a popular chain can be calorically inaccurate, they're told to man up and stop whining.

I also love how respondents on this site will talk about calories as if they were some precise measurement ..." adjust by 100 calories"..." you need to up your calories by 250..." etc.

It's all very entertaining.

I'm sorry, did you say something. I thought you did but with no face it just sounds like mumbling. Sorry there faceless warrior.

I usually find faceless peeps with no friends to be trolls by there OP.

So...if we don't post a picture of ourselves...we are trolls???

Oh well...I have been called worse I suppose.

Please see bold. LOL

To be honest...I only accept friend requests because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. I am a horrible friend. I don't give thumbs up...or likes...or way to goes.

Honestly...I never thought about judging anyone based on if they have friends or not...especially on a message board.

I don't know...maybe that is just me...seems a little strange...I think.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

MelodyandBarbells

I'm sorry, did you say something. I thought you did but with no face it just sounds like mumbling. Sorry there faceless warrior.

I think JaneiR36 is offering reading tutoring, if that helps.

I'll do what I can but some potential students are beyond hope!

Wyld_Stallyns

I think any restaurant just gives a certain amount of food for a set price, but it's up to the individuals to use their discretion about serving size for their weight/height. For a 6'6" bodybuilder (my bf) it's one meal. For me, I split a burrito bowl into 2 or 3 meals. No one has to warn me that a giant bowl overflowing with food is too much for one sitting.

One thing that needs to be done is for schools to have a nutrition class mandatory for students that covers proper serving size and the dangers of obesity. Not everyone is going to educate themselves and, frankly, MOST parents do not have the proper information themselves, so there's no chance for them to pass it down to their kids.

But getting 2-3 meals for $9 is not something I'm upset at Chipotle about! lol I also only go to restaurants on occasion, which is something else people need to learn. Eating out is an indulgence, not a way of life.

(but, to the guy who started this topic, it is undoubtedly a helpful warning for some!)

jofjltncb6

I'm sticking to Whole Foods where everything is weighed.

You never mentioned you were independently wealthy. That changes things considerably.



(Also, I hope you have learned the difference between the "quote" and "reply" link in the dozen pages I have not yet read. If not, please try the "quote" link and see just how awesome it is for others to follow the conversation.)

Unknown

This content has been removed.

jkwolly

They need a location near me! Only in Toronto and Vancouver :sad:

jofjltncb6

Haha, I mean I'm trying to lose weight. Isn't that why everyone is on here?

You'd think, in the WEIGHT LOSS forum, but no.

Many are here to brag about how much they can eat, apparently. I've never wanted to eat a burrito the size of my arm in minutes, but I guess some envy that skill?

I think Chipotle is careful with their quac servings but probably overdoes the cheap stuff-- rice and beans.

I'm sure this has already been addressed, but...

...you *do* know what "General Diet" means, right? Those aren't just extra words to pad the category title.

During the times I'm losing weight, I still eat an amount of calories that would probably draw your ire. Sorry about that. Perhaps you believe I should stop using MFP because of that?

jofjltncb6

This is why you shouldn't eat it everyday. If it's extra calories only once in a while, it shouldn't affect anything. It doesn't for me. But I usually ask for 'only a little' of the rice and beans but count it as the full serving and such. I think this topic is a pretty moot point really.

Great. TIL that I'm doing it wrong.

Also, why would you intentionally "mislog" a partial serving as a whole serving? In what way does that result in an accurate food log (on which you can rely to make reasonable decisions about any necessary adjustments)?

jofjltncb6

I can't eat a whole burrito bowl anyway - if I'm getting Chipotle it is both lunch AND dinner. AND I get my white flour tortilla on the side to help scoop up the deliciousness. Chipotle is high in calories, and high in delicious flavor. I accept it the way it is.

Are you serious?

One time my husband wanted something else and I wanted Chipotle, so we went to Chipotle first got my burrito and by the time we drove over the the drive thru he wanted his thing from he looks over at me and goes "do you want anything here?" ....i had already killed that burrito.



I mean, I didn't get overweight from eating halves of things at restaurants? I can't be the only one?

Haha I understand. It's just that I've eaten a whole burrito bowl maybe once, and that was when I hadn't eaten anything all day. If I eat a whole bowl I go into food coma city haha.

I eat entire burrito bowls after I do my weekend long runs because I have a "food rapture" that requires 3lbs of food to satisfy, or else seven trumpets will sound

I ate a whole burrito bowl for dinner tonight. Because.

And I was actually upset that the lady was so skimpy with the steak.

I sense that this thread may not align with my priorities. :indifferent:

I just returned from a steak bowl with fajita veggies white rice no beans two scoops of green cheese sour cream guacamole (yes, I know it is) and a bag of chips. I carefully watched and approved of the measured portions given so no further adjustment to my diary was warranted.

1355 calories, 37/46/16% (C/F/P), so not bad (albeit the bag of chips really pushes it away from ideal). Pro-tip: when working with fewer calories, the kid-sized mini-bag of chips is a solid choice.

jofjltncb6

if you're getting a double portion of meat at chipotle, wait for them to put the first scoop on so you know how much a double portion should actually be

Agreed. Solid this^. They know me well enough that they often ask before the first scoop, "are you getting double meat today?" I never say "yes" but I "change" my mind sometimes. I'll also sometime ask for double meat when the first scoop is just a little too light (to me) rather than asking them for more just as a way to get more food without asking them to break corporate rules...and then I'll log it as 1/2-1 extra portion of steak depending on how much they ultimately give me.

TL;Dr - Chipotle ordering is serious business.

jofjltncb6

Yipes! Was that really necessary? I don't think he was bashing you in any way.

Probably not...

...but you know what *is* necessary? Using the quote link so others will know to whom you are referring.



(Also, I see that everyone else has already given up on this thread so I have a half dozen posts in a row now as I catch up. Most people who realize this would stop replying...but I'm not most people, so a full page of all jof all the time is likely.)

jmc0806

and that is why I love Chipotle

Iwishyouwell

I think the nastiness likely stems from the title of the thread.

There is a pervasive attitude on MFP amongst a good chunk of the regular posters that more foodz=more life. There is a real LOVE of food here, to an extent that's equal parts hilarious and extremely telling as to why so many people here struggle with weight.

I think if the title of this thread had been "Be careful, Chipotle's calorie counts on their website might be off" and he hadn't mentioned anything about "too much food" as a negative, we wouldn't have this nonsense. Because truly that dude said nothing else that would explain some of the more vehement responses.

sullus

I'm sorry, did you say something. I thought you did but with no face it just sounds like mumbling. Sorry there faceless warrior.

I think JaneiR36 is offering reading tutoring, if that helps.

I'll do what I can but some potential students are beyond hope!

Thankfully I'd pass.. you know what they say, those who can't.....teach.

... and those who can't teach .. teach gym.

mmarquard75

I agree that Chipolte is very generous, but I love it and don't want to stop going. So, I ask for a heaping helping of lettuce first, then I specifically tell them I want only 1 spoonfull of chicken, veggies and a 1/2 spoon of black beans. I get extra pico and a smidge of cheese if I feel daring. Top that off with a diet soda and I'm a full and happy girl. They are very kind of helping me with my portions and since I travel I have been to several locations. Try it and the best of luck.

jimmmer

Who are Chipotle and why haven't they given me any food?

Let alone too much.

Not one bite. That's just bad form.

missomgitsica

So don't eat at Chipotle. Problem solved! Amazing!

extra_medium

I don't know if this is relevant, but I hear ya on portion sizes varying! Honestly, the employees SHOULD just stick to what their company/trainers taught them to put into each meal. There are guidelines for a reason.

I work at a chinese restaurant in a mall near my house, and I am always irritated by these loud, fatass customers who yell at me to add extra of everything when I'm putting their bowls together, even though the regular portions are QUITE large already, /and/ they are not paying any extra for that extra sesame chicken, ect.

so, it's actually greedy customers that get portions doubled up past what they should be, past what you are supposed to be paying for/and logging in as calories.

loud...fatass...greedy customers...

You must make a killing in tips!

When was the last time you saw anyone tip at the type of restaurant where you scoop food into a container?

yellowlemoned

I'll never understand why a forum post intended to be helpful and informative turns into a bashing each other festival.

Anyway, thank you OP, I'll be sure to pay attention to how much is being added to my burrito if I eat there.

oxers

I'll never understand why a forum post intended to be helpful and informative turns into a bashing each other festival.

Anyway, thank you OP, I'll be sure to pay attention to how much is being added to my burrito if I eat there.

Yeah, you know, I am reeeally surprised at how quickly something like "btw Chipotle calories are probably off" turns into a mess like this. Real friendly community we have here.

tbh, I agree with the OP. Inaccurate calorie and nutrition facts are a problem, and I want to know what I'm putting in my body. It probably won't kill me, no, but that's not the point - it's an ethics in food thing, and I think that's important.

I've never been to Chipotle, but I've been considering it, so I appreciate the information. It's helpful.

likitisplit

If I had just strictly been on a Chipotle diet and planned on losing half a pound a week, I would actually be gaining weight. Not cool.

For my moneys, my game plan with this new information is I'm gonna watch closely each spoonful , half extra spoonful :smooched: , and double spoonful :smokin: that goes into my burrito and just use the math's to log them as "1" serving, "1.5 servings" and "2 servings" of whatever goes in thier burritos. Then if I'm like way over, I'll work out the next day, or that evening, and or cut cals do more exercise the following day to get back on track for the week.

there is like NO WAY I am quitting Chipotle. Nuh, unh!

I think that was the point. Not that we should stop going, just that we should stop assuming that they necessarily exercise portion control.

MityMax96

Hi, I just contacted Chipotle to verify how many servings of each item are supposed to go into a burrito bowl. I was shocked to find out that myself and most other people who eat at Chipotle have consumed way more calories than they are supposed to. The nutrition facts on a burrito bowl include one spoonful of any item that you add to the nutrition calculator. Unfortunately, many if not all Chipotle employees will double things like the rice, which would add an extra 180 calories. I've also noticed that they usually add an additional half spoon of the meats they offer. Next time you go to Chipotle, ask for only one spoonful of each item or you may be consuming way more calories than you planned.

Thank God they do, I love my burrito bowls
And I love lots of chicken and rice

Mikkimeow

I am literally reading this while eating a giant Chipotle burrito. Get at me.