Chili’s Big Mouth Burger Bites are a popular appetizer option at Chili’s restaurants. But like many fried and high-fat foods, they can be high in calories. So how many calories are actually in Chili’s Big Mouth Burger Bites?
Nutrition Info for Chili’s Big Mouth Burger Bites
According to the Chili’s nutrition information page, an order of Big Mouth Burger Bites contains the following nutrition facts:
| Serving Size | 10 pieces (263g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1070 |
| Fat | 64g |
| Saturated Fat | 24g |
| Trans Fat | 1.5g |
| Cholesterol | 125mg |
| Sodium | 1830mg |
| Carbs | 70g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 5g |
| Protein | 29g |
So for the entire 10-piece order of Chili’s Big Mouth Burger Bites, there are a total of 1070 calories.
Calories Per Serving
But what if you don’t eat the entire order and just have a few pieces? Here is the breakdown of calories per serving:
- 1 piece: 107 calories
- 2 pieces: 214 calories
- 3 pieces: 321 calories
- 4 pieces: 428 calories
- 5 pieces: 535 calories
As you can see, even just a single Big Mouth Burger Bite contains over 100 calories. So while they may be small in size, they pack in a lot of calories and fat for each bite.
Calories from Fat
A significant amount of the calories in Chili’s Big Mouth Burger Bites comes from fat:
- Total fat: 64g
- Saturated fat: 24g
- Trans fat: 1.5g
The 64 grams of total fat equates to 576 calories from fat. Since the total calories are 1070, this means approximately 54% of the calories come from fat. The American Heart Association recommends limiting total fat intake to between 25-35% of total calories.
Saturated Fat
The saturated fat content is also alarmingly high at 24g. The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat to no more than 5-6% of total calories. For a 2000 calorie diet, this would equate to about 13 grams of saturated fat per day.
Just a single serving of 3 Big Mouth Burger Bites would provide nearly an entire day’s worth of recommended saturated fat intake at over 18 grams.
Trans Fat
While small at 1.5g, the Chili’s Burger Bites still contain some trans fat as well. Trans fats are considered the most unhealthy type of fat and should be avoided completely.
Sodium Content
In addition to high amounts of fat and calories, Chili’s Big Mouth Burger Bites are very high in sodium:
- Total sodium: 1830mg
The American Heart Association recommends limiting daily sodium intake to 1500mg per day. An entire order of the Chili’s Burger Bites provides over 100% of the recommended daily value.
Even a single serving of 3 pieces contains nearly 600mg of sodium, or 40% of the recommended daily value.
Lower Sodium Options
If watching your sodium intake, there are some lower sodium appetizer options at Chili’s:
- Crispy Chips and Queso: 720mg sodium
- Fresh Guacamole: 270mg sodium
- House Salad with Light Ranch: 580mg sodium
While not exactly low in sodium, these options contain 30-60% less than the Burger Bites.
Protein, Carbs, and Fiber
On the positive side, the Chili’s Big Mouth Burger Bites do contain a decent amount of protein and carbs:
- Protein: 29g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
The protein and carbs help provide some nutrients and fill you up. However, the fiber content is low at only 2g. Getting adequate fiber can aid digestion and provide a prolonged feeling of fullness.
Increasing Fiber
To increase the fiber while dining at Chili’s, you could add a side salad or side of broccoli to your meal. Some higher fiber side dish options include:
- Bowl of soup: 4-8g fiber
- Fresh steamed broccoli: 5g fiber
- Bowl of chili: 10g fiber
- Side salad with vinaigrette dressing: 4g fiber
Cholesterol Content
Chili’s Big Mouth Burger Bites are also high in cholesterol:
- Total cholesterol: 125mg
The recommendation from the American Heart Association is to limit cholesterol intake to 300mg per day. So the burger bites supply over 40% of the daily recommended amount.
For those with high blood cholesterol levels, consuming high cholesterol foods regularly like these burger bites can be problematic.
Lower Cholesterol Options
Some lower cholesterol appetizer options at Chili’s include:
- Crispy Chips and Queso: 65mg cholesterol
- Fresh Guacamole: 0mg cholesterol
- Cajun Chicken Egg Rolls: 105mg cholesterol
Calories Compared to Other Appetizers
Compared to other appetizer options at Chili’s, the Big Mouth Burger Bites are one of the highest calorie options:
| Appetizer | Calories |
|---|---|
| Big Mouth Burger Bites | 1070 |
| Boneless Buffalo Wings | 1010 |
| Southwest Chicken Egg Rolls | 790 |
| Skillet Queso | 710 |
| Crispy Chips and Queso | 470 |
| House Salad with Ranch | 330 |
| Fresh Guacamole | 240 |
While most appetizers are high in calories, fat, or sodium, the Burger Bites are one of the most calorie-dense options.
Lower Calorie Alternatives
To save on calories at Chili’s, some lower calorie appetizer choices include:
- Crispy Chips and Queso: 470 calories
- House Salad with Light Ranch: 210 calories
- Fresh Guacamole: 240 calories
- Cup of Chicken Tortilla Soup: 280 calories
Nutrition Tips for Dining Out
When dining out at chains like Chili’s, here are some general tips to lighten up your meal:
- Share or split appetizers and entrees
- Order salad as an app instead of fried foods
- Request dressings and sauces on the side
- Opt for grilled, roasted, or steamed proteins
- Ask for a to-go box and pack up half before eating
- Limit soda, alcohol, and sugary drinks
- Enjoy a low-cal dessert if having something sweet
Being mindful about selections and portions can help control calories even when not preparing food yourself.
Conclusion
Chili’s Big Mouth Burger Bites deliver a high amount of calories at 1070 for an entire order. A significant percentage of these calories come from fat. The burger bites are also very high in saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol compared to other appetizer choices.
To lighten up your Chili’s meal, share an order of the burger bites, go for lower calorie appetizers, or balance it out with healthier sides and entree options. Being aware of nutrition info can help you enjoy dining out while still watching your overall calorie and fat intake.