A burrito bowl is a popular menu item at many Mexican restaurants. It typically consists of rice, beans, meat, cheese, lettuce, salsa, guacamole, and other toppings served in a bowl rather than a tortilla. Many people believe that burrito bowls are a healthier option than burritos because they don’t contain the high-carb tortilla wrap. But is this perception accurate? Are burrito bowls really lower in calories and better for you? Let’s take a closer look.
Burrito Bowl Ingredients
The ingredients in a typical burrito bowl may include:
- Rice – White or brown rice adds a starch base. A 1/2 cup serving of rice contains around 100 calories.
- Beans – Black or pinto beans add fiber and protein. Beans contain around 100 calories per 1/2 cup.
- Meat – Chicken, steak, carnitas (pork), barbacoa (shredded beef), etc. A 3-4 oz serving of meat provides 150-200 calories.
- Cheese – Cheddar, queso fresco, cotija. An ounce of cheese is around 100 calories.
- Lettuce – A cup of shredded lettuce is only 10-20 calories.
- Salsa – Salsa is very low calorie, with just 10-15 calories per 1/4 cup.
- Guacamole – At around 200 calories for a 4 oz serving, guacamole significantly increases the calorie count.
- Sour cream – Also high in calories at around 100 per 2 tablespoons.
So without any toppings, a bowl with rice, beans, meat, lettuce, and salsa might total 500-700 calories. But guacamole, cheese, and sour cream can quickly bring that total to 800, 900, even 1000+ calories.
Burrito Bowl vs. Burrito Calories
How do burrito bowl calories compare to a regular burrito? A typical flour tortilla burrito with the same fillings contains around 300 calories. So the tortilla alone doesn’t make a huge calorie difference.
Ultimately, the total calories comes down to your choice of fillings and toppings:
- A bowl with rice, chicken, lettuce, mild salsa = 500 calories
- A burrito with the same = 800 calories
- A bowl with rice, steak, guac, cheese, sour cream = 900 calories
- A burrito with the same = 1200 calories
As you can see, both burrito bowls and burritos can range widely in calories based on what you put in them. The tortilla itself only accounts for 200-300 calories.
Lower Calorie Options
Here are some tips to lighten up your burrito bowl or burrito:
- Go easy on high-calorie toppings like guacamole, cheese, and sour cream
- Choose lean protein options like chicken or carnitas rather than higher-fat meats
- Load up on veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, onions, etc.
- Ask for brown rice or no rice to cut carbs
- Skip the tortilla on a burrito bowl or get a small 6” burrito
- Order corn tortillas instead of large flour tortillas
- Go easy on the sauces and dressings which can be high in fat and calories
Following these guidelines can help reduce your calorie intake by 200-400 calories easily.
Nutritional Value
Beyond just calories, how do burrito bowls and burritos compare in terms of overall nutrition?
| Nutrient | Burrito Bowl | Burrito |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | High from beans, meat, cheese | High from beans, meat, cheese |
| Carbs | Moderate from rice, beans | Higher from large tortilla |
| Fiber | High from beans, rice | High from beans, rice, tortilla |
| Fat | Varies depending on toppings | Varies depending on toppings |
Both options provide protein from the beans and meat. Burritos offer more carbs when you factor in the tortilla. Burrito bowls may be slightly higher in fiber without the tortilla. But overall the fiber content is comparable when you include beans, rice, and tortilla in the burrito.
The fat content depends completely on your choice of toppings. Leaner meats and minimal high-fat cheeses or sour cream will keep the fat grams down.
So in terms of overall nutrition, burrito bowls and burritos can both provide a balanced meal, assuming you choose healthy fillings.
Satiety
Many people find that burrito bowls are less filling and satisfying than burritos. Why is this?
A few potential reasons burritos are more satiating:
- The tortilla adds bulk and carbs that can be more filling.
- Burritos feel more substantial when you pick them up.
- Bowl ingredients may be prone to sliding around and falling out of the bowl.
- A burrito contains the ingredients in one neat hand-held package.
The tortilla also provides more chewing satisfaction compared to dishes eaten with a spoon or fork. So while burrito bowls contain the same ingredients, many people find they don’t keep you feeling full for as long.
Tips for Satiety
Here are some ways to make a burrito bowl more satisfying:
- Add extra beans, rice, meat for a bigger meal.
- Include healthy fats like avocado or olive oil for satiety.
- Top with crunchy components like tortilla chips.
- Opt for nutty brown rice over white for more fiber.
- Pair it with a side like beans, salad, or tortilla.
With the right combinations of ingredients, you can make a burrito bowl just as filling as a burrito.
Cost Comparison
Is one option usually cheaper than the other? Here’s how burrito bowls and burritos typically compare in cost:
- Burrito bowls range from $8-$12 at most restaurants.
- Burritos range from $6-$10 at the same establishments.
- A bowl often costs $2+ more than a comparable burrito.
- Extra toppings like guacamole cost extra for both.
Burrito bowls tend to cost a little bit more across the board at most restaurants. The difference averages $2-3.
Factors affecting the pricing:
- Burritos require just the tortilla as packaging.
- Bowls require disposable containers and utensils.
- Burritos are seen as the signature menu item at Mexican restaurants.
- Burrito bowls are considered the “lighter” version.
For essentially the same ingredients, you’ll typically pay a slight upcharge for the convenience of a bowl. But the difference amounts to the equivalent of adding guacamole anyway.
Ease of Eating
Burrito bowls obviously require a fork to eat, while you can pick up a burrito with your hands. Is one option easier to eat than the other?
Potential advantages of burrito bowls:
- All ingredients are visible and accessible.
- You control each bite as you eat.
- Toppings don’t slide out as easily.
- Perfect for people who don’t like messy foods.
Potential advantages of burritos:
- Portable and easy to eat on the go.
- No need for utensils.
- Can be picked up and put down easily.
- Wrapped package contains ingredients.
For some people, burrito bowls are the less messy, convenient option requiring no hand-eye coordination to keep ingredients in the tortilla. For others, burritos are the ultimate hand-held meal you can walk around with.
It comes down to personal eating preferences. But both offer relatively easy, contained ways to get your Mexican food fix.
Customization Options
When it comes to mix-and-match ingredients, burrito bowls may offer more flexibility:
- Burrito fillings constrained by size of tortilla.
- Bowls can hold more rice, beans, toppings.
- Can layer or mix ingredients as desired.
- Easy to customize ratios of each component.
With a burrito, overstuffing it can cause it to break and ingredients to fall out. Burrito bowls offer more room to add extra scoops of your favorite items.
However, some fast casual restaurants have combos where you can get a burrito bowl and a tortilla on the side. This gives you the best of both worlds!
Conclusion
Overall, burrito bowls don’t automatically mean lower calories than burritos. Base ingredients like rice, beans, meat and tortillas account for similar calorie counts. What really tips the scales are your choice of high-calorie toppings and sauces.
Burritos offer more carb-based satisfaction for some people. But burrito bowls can also be filing with fiber-rich add-ons and sides. In terms of nutrition, both provide a balanced mix when you choose healthy fillings.
Cost is comparable, with burrito bowls averaging slightly higher prices at most restaurants. Ease of eating comes down to personal preference for utensils versus hand-held.
For maximum flexibility, get your burrito bowl contents wrapped in a tortilla on the side. Then you can make each bite the perfect proportion of ingredients.
So don’t assume burrito bowls are necessarily the lighter option. With smart choices, both burritos and burrito bowls can be part of a healthy lifestyle.