Taco Bell Revisited! (New Survival Guide!)

Healthier_Me

Words To Watch Out For...

Do NOT utter these terms through the drive-thru window (or to a person behind the counter, for that matter!)...

Supreme - Supreme equals sour cream. Sour cream equals a whole lot of added fat and calories. Added fat and calories equals supreme disappointment.

Stuft - Don't be mislead by the healthy sounding "Grilled", which precedes "Stuft" in the names of these wacky concoctions. They each contain a minimum of 630 calories and 23g fat! The worst of the bunch? The Grilled Stuft Beef Burrito with 680 calories, 30g fat, and 76g carbs (POINTS® value 15*). Never trust a misspelled menu item...

Salad - You read right! If you order the Fiesta Taco Salad at Taco Bell, as is, you'll be served a giant fried tortilla shell filled with ground beef, cheese, sour cream, beans, tortilla strips and, oh yeah, lettuce and tomatoes. That tops out at 840 calories, 45g fat, and 80g carbs (POINTS® value 20*). That makes it the highest calorie item on the menu!!!




One Word To Live For... FRESCO!

"Fresco" is Taco Bell talk for "less fat and calories". Basically, it means they swap the cheese and sauce for fresh fiesta salsa. ALWAYS order Fresco style!!! Here are some highlights...

Fresco Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco - 170 calories, 4g fat, 21g carbs, 3g fiber, 12g protein -- POINTS® value 3*

Grilled chicken, and lots of it, in a tasty soft taco.

Fresco Crunchy Taco - 150 calories, 8g fat, 13g carbs, 3g fiber, 7g protein -- POINTS® value 3*

Perfect for when you're craving Mexican ground beef in a crispy shell straight from the drive-thru.

Fresco Spicy Chicken Soft Taco - 180 calories, 6g fat, 21g carbs, 3g fiber, 10g protein -- POINTS® value 3*

Seasoned, shredded chicken in a soft shell. And guess what? Even if you forget to say Fresco, this thing'll come out practically the same -- it's naturally sauce-less and cheese-free!

Fresco Zesty Chicken Border Bowl - 350 calories, 8g fat, 51g carbs, 10g fiber, 19g protein -- POINTS® value 7*

Who needs the taco? Indulge in rice, beans, chicken, and more with this protein-packed Mexican meal. Olé!

Go here to see the full Fresco menu -- all of these items have 350 calories or less and under 9g fat. Nice! http://www.tacobell.com/fresco/




Extra, Extra!

Tips, a nutritional update, and more...

* Think about ordering two tacos, but only eating ONE tortilla or taco shell. Just stuff the insides from the second one into the first, and toss the extra tortilla/shell. You'll save dozens of calories that way!

* Those Cinnamon Twists have crept up in the fat and calorie departments over the years. So if you order 'em, just be prepared to spend 170 calories, 7g fat, and 26g carbs (POINTS® value 4*). Still worth it.

* Add flavor to your food with any of these guilt-free extras -- Border Sauce (Mild, Hot, or Fire), Citrus Salsa, Green Tomatillo Sauce, and Red Sauce. Those all have 0 - 30 calories per serving, no fat, and a POINTS® value of 0*. Mmmmm!

* Beware of these crazy condiments -- Creamy Jalapeno Sauce, Creamy Lime Sauce, Pepper Jack Sauce, Spicy Avocado Ranch Dressing, and Zesty Dressing. Most of those have 70 - 90 calories and 7 - 10g fat (POINTS® value 2 - 3*) -- and that's just for a serving of the stuff by itself! The Zesty Dressing actually tips the scales with a whopping 200 calories and 20g fat per serving (POINTS® value 6*). Eeeks!




Yo Quiero HG Swaps!

Some HG-ified T. Bell items...

HG's Gooey Chili Cheese Nachos - SERIOUSLY... just make our nachos at home where you can enjoy them on your couch in front of the TV... as nature intended.-http://www.hungry-girl.com/chew/chewdetails.php?isid=951

HG's Rockin' Taco Salad - Avoid the scary salad shells at The Bell and make our swap in the safety of your own kitchen.-http://www.hungry-girl.com/chew/chewdetails.php?isid=1361

HG's Cheesy-Good Chicken Quesadillas - Save over 350 calories and 24 fat grams with ours. Ques closed!-http://www.hungry-girl.com/chew/chewdetails.php?isid=762

HG's Cheesy Beefy Supreme Wrap - If you're not craving the 29g fat that comes with Taco Bell's version, whip up our wrap instead. It will hit the spot without hitting your butt too!-http://www.hungry-girl.com/chew/chewdetails.php?isid=1396

HG's Crunchtastic Supreme - Don't be intimidated by the geometric design! Our slimmed-down Supreme comes complete with fancy folding instructions.-http://www.hungry-girl.com/chew/chewdetails.php?isid=1257

Healthier_Me

Words To Watch Out For...

Do NOT utter these terms through the drive-thru window (or to a person behind the counter, for that matter!)...

Supreme - Supreme equals sour cream. Sour cream equals a whole lot of added fat and calories. Added fat and calories equals supreme disappointment.

Stuft - Don't be mislead by the healthy sounding "Grilled", which precedes "Stuft" in the names of these wacky concoctions. They each contain a minimum of 630 calories and 23g fat! The worst of the bunch? The Grilled Stuft Beef Burrito with 680 calories, 30g fat, and 76g carbs (POINTS® value 15*). Never trust a misspelled menu item...

Salad - You read right! If you order the Fiesta Taco Salad at Taco Bell, as is, you'll be served a giant fried tortilla shell filled with ground beef, cheese, sour cream, beans, tortilla strips and, oh yeah, lettuce and tomatoes. That tops out at 840 calories, 45g fat, and 80g carbs (POINTS® value 20*). That makes it the highest calorie item on the menu!!!




One Word To Live For... FRESCO!

"Fresco" is Taco Bell talk for "less fat and calories". Basically, it means they swap the cheese and sauce for fresh fiesta salsa. ALWAYS order Fresco style!!! Here are some highlights...

Fresco Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco - 170 calories, 4g fat, 21g carbs, 3g fiber, 12g protein -- POINTS® value 3*

Grilled chicken, and lots of it, in a tasty soft taco.

Fresco Crunchy Taco - 150 calories, 8g fat, 13g carbs, 3g fiber, 7g protein -- POINTS® value 3*

Perfect for when you're craving Mexican ground beef in a crispy shell straight from the drive-thru.

Fresco Spicy Chicken Soft Taco - 180 calories, 6g fat, 21g carbs, 3g fiber, 10g protein -- POINTS® value 3*

Seasoned, shredded chicken in a soft shell. And guess what? Even if you forget to say Fresco, this thing'll come out practically the same -- it's naturally sauce-less and cheese-free!

Fresco Zesty Chicken Border Bowl - 350 calories, 8g fat, 51g carbs, 10g fiber, 19g protein -- POINTS® value 7*

Who needs the taco? Indulge in rice, beans, chicken, and more with this protein-packed Mexican meal. Olé!

Go here to see the full Fresco menu -- all of these items have 350 calories or less and under 9g fat. Nice! http://www.tacobell.com/fresco/




Extra, Extra!

Tips, a nutritional update, and more...

* Think about ordering two tacos, but only eating ONE tortilla or taco shell. Just stuff the insides from the second one into the first, and toss the extra tortilla/shell. You'll save dozens of calories that way!

* Those Cinnamon Twists have crept up in the fat and calorie departments over the years. So if you order 'em, just be prepared to spend 170 calories, 7g fat, and 26g carbs (POINTS® value 4*). Still worth it.

* Add flavor to your food with any of these guilt-free extras -- Border Sauce (Mild, Hot, or Fire), Citrus Salsa, Green Tomatillo Sauce, and Red Sauce. Those all have 0 - 30 calories per serving, no fat, and a POINTS® value of 0*. Mmmmm!

* Beware of these crazy condiments -- Creamy Jalapeno Sauce, Creamy Lime Sauce, Pepper Jack Sauce, Spicy Avocado Ranch Dressing, and Zesty Dressing. Most of those have 70 - 90 calories and 7 - 10g fat (POINTS® value 2 - 3*) -- and that's just for a serving of the stuff by itself! The Zesty Dressing actually tips the scales with a whopping 200 calories and 20g fat per serving (POINTS® value 6*). Eeeks!




Yo Quiero HG Swaps!

Some HG-ified T. Bell items...

HG's Gooey Chili Cheese Nachos - SERIOUSLY... just make our nachos at home where you can enjoy them on your couch in front of the TV... as nature intended.-http://www.hungry-girl.com/chew/chewdetails.php?isid=951

HG's Rockin' Taco Salad - Avoid the scary salad shells at The Bell and make our swap in the safety of your own kitchen.-http://www.hungry-girl.com/chew/chewdetails.php?isid=1361

HG's Cheesy-Good Chicken Quesadillas - Save over 350 calories and 24 fat grams with ours. Ques closed!-http://www.hungry-girl.com/chew/chewdetails.php?isid=762

HG's Cheesy Beefy Supreme Wrap - If you're not craving the 29g fat that comes with Taco Bell's version, whip up our wrap instead. It will hit the spot without hitting your butt too!-http://www.hungry-girl.com/chew/chewdetails.php?isid=1396

HG's Crunchtastic Supreme - Don't be intimidated by the geometric design! Our slimmed-down Supreme comes complete with fancy folding instructions.-http://www.hungry-girl.com/chew/chewdetails.php?isid=1257

Juliebean

My family had Taco Bell for dinner last night. I can honestly say that the most successful part of my day was when I pulled away from the drive-thru without ordering anything, and then watching them eat it while I had my fish and squash at home. I was so proud that I didn't give in. I know there are some healthy alternatives and it's nice to know, considering next time I may not be as strong! Thanks for the article! :drinker:

tanzmamma

OMG I haven't had taco bell in.... hmmmm over 11 months!

Healthier_Me

I the cinnamon twists!

Very welcome:bigsmile:

Phoenix_Rising

Thank you!!
Gonna check out those links later as I make a grocery list.

TamTastic

I LOVE the fresco style border bowl!! VERY filling and tasty! High in sodium like all fast food...so just plan accordingly!

Healthier_Me

Thank you!!
Gonna check out those links later as I make a grocery list.

Very welcome Lauryn!!!