With its build-your-own format, Chipotle has become a go-to for custom and tasty Tex-Mex cuisine. When considering your health, is it better to build a burrito or a bowl at Chipotle? There are pros and cons to each option. Keep reading to learn which is the healthier choice.
Calories
When looking at overall calorie content, Chipotle bowls tend to be lower in calories than burritos:
| Menu Item | Calories |
|---|---|
| Burrito with steak, rice, cheese, sour cream | 1155 |
| Bowl with steak, rice, cheese, guacamole | 745 |
This difference in calories comes down to the tortilla used for burritos. A standard flour tortilla from Chipotle contains 300 calories. So by opting for a bowl rather than wrapping your ingredients in a tortilla, you can slash hundreds of calories from your meal.
Portion Size
Another factor to consider is portion size. With a burrito, it can be difficult to determine if you’re getting too much food. The tortilla encloses the ingredients, making it harder to visually assess how large your portion is. Bowls, on the other hand, allow you to clearly see the amount of each ingredient you’re getting.
This can help prevent overeating. If you build a bowl, you may realize a standard scoop of rice is plenty and resist the urge to ask for extra. Being able to see and measure out portions can lead to a healthier overall meal.
Fiber
Fiber is another important element of a healthy diet. It helps keep you feeling full and aids in digestive health.
When it comes to fiber, bowls again tend to have an advantage over burritos. The flour tortilla used for burritos contains only 1 gram of fiber per serving. Bowls, especially those loaded up with veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, and beans, can provide significantly more fiber.
| Menu Item | Fiber (grams) |
|---|---|
| Burrito with steak, rice, cheese, lettuce, tomato | 13 |
| Bowl with steak, rice, beans, fajita veggies, lettuce, tomato | 20 |
So if you’re looking to increase fiber intake, skipping the tortilla is likely your best bet.
Protein
Getting adequate protein is vital for maintaining muscle mass and keeping you feeling full. Will you get more protein from a Chipotle burrito or bowl?
If you choose the same protein source, such as chicken, steak, carnitas or barbacoa, you’ll get the same amount of protein in either a burrito or bowl. The tortilla itself doesn’t add a significant amount of protein.
Where bowls have an edge is that they allow for easy double protein. You can easily add a scoop of chicken and a scoop of steak to your bowl. Doing this in a burrito is more difficult since you’re limited by the size of the tortilla. So if you’re looking to maximize protein, bowls make it simpler to double up.
Sodium
Sodium is another nutrient to pay attention to, as excess salt intake has been linked to high blood pressure. Chipotle burritos and bowls both can be high in sodium, but bowls may have slightly less due to the omission of the tortilla.
| Menu Item | Sodium (mg) |
|---|---|
| Burrito with carnitas, rice, medium salsa | 1870 |
| Bowl with carnitas, rice, medium salsa | 1770 |
Still, both burritos and bowls can top 1,500 mg of sodium pretty easily. To lower your salt intake, skip ingredients like cheese and sour cream and opt for fresh salsa over the tomato-based salsas.
Ingredients
When choosing ingredients for your burrito or bowl, think about nutrition. Focus on getting plenty of veggies, including lettuce, fajita peppers and onions, tomato salsa, and guacamole. Going easy on sour cream, cheese, and creamy sauces can also improve the health factor. Here are some healthy ingredient choices:
- Rice
- Beans
- Fajita veggies
- Lettuce
- Salsa
- Guacamole
For protein, stick to lean options like chicken or steak rather than heavier meats like carnitas or chorizo. If you choose to include cheese or sour cream, ask for just a sprinkle to keep calories and saturated fat in check.
Customization Potential
One advantage bowls have over burritos when it comes to nutrition is customization potential. With a bowl, you aren’t limited by the size of a tortilla, so you can load up on as many healthy toppings as you want. Cant fit all those fajita veggies you were hoping for into your burrito? Simply add them to a bowl instead.
Bowls also allow easier modification of protein portions. If you want a lighter meat portion, you can ask for half chicken and half steak, for example. Doing this with a burrito is trickier.
Having full control over ingredients and portions makes it easier to construct a nutritious bowl.
Meal Completeness
Both burritos and bowls can provide a balanced meal containing protein, carbs, and veggies. However, the contained nature of a burrito may help you feel more satisfied and full compared to an exposed bowl.
The tortilla encasing burrito ingredients can slow eating and digestion. The slower rate of consumption may make a burrito more filling and suppress appetite longer than a loosely arranged bowl.
Taste Preference
This may not seem an obvious factor when considering nutrition, but taste preferences impact food enjoyment and satisfaction. If you simply dislike burritos, a bowl will be a better option for you nutritionally. Why? You’ll be more likely to finish and feel happy with your meal.
Bowls also provide more flavor mixing potential. With each bite of a burrito, you’re getting a pre-determined mix of ingredients bundled in the tortilla. A bowl allows you to customize each bite and combine flavors to suit your preferences.
So if you know you prefer the bowl experience, don’t feel obligated to order a burrito for health reasons. Go with what will taste best and be most satisfying to you.
Cost
Looking at the bottom line? Bowls are typically $1-2 cheaper than burritos at Chipotle. Though the savings isn’t huge, over time choosing a bowl over a burrito can make a difference from a budget perspective. And you can still build a healthy bowl while keeping costs lower.
| Menu Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Burrito with carnitas, rice, cheese | $9.10 |
| Bowl with carnitas, rice, cheese | $7.95 |
Ease of Eating
How you eat your meal can also impact your health and satisfaction. Burritos are typically easier to eat on-the-go, as they contain ingredients neatly wrapped up. Bowls require a bit more care while eating to avoid spills.
However, burritos eaten hastily can lead to overeating. It’s easy to quickly scarf down a burrito without properly chewing. And if you aren’t paying attention, you may realize you ate the whole burrito when you were already full half way through.
Bowls encourage a more mindful eating approach. With ingredients separated, you’re forced to thoughtful combine each bite. This slower pace of eating may help you recognize fullness signals sooner.
Cooking Method
The cooking method used to prepare your burrito or bowl ingredients also impacts health. Items like the rice, beans, chicken, and steak are cooked either on a stove or grill. This results in lower fat and calorie content compared to deep frying.
However, the flour tortillas used for burritos are deep fried before being steam heated in restaurants. The frying adds unnecessary calories and fat. Opting for a bowl avoids this extra oil used during cooking.
Conclusion
When comparing nutritional content, Chipotle bowls tend to have an advantage over burritos. Lower in calories, carbs, and fat, bowls allow you to skip the tortilla and customize ingredients for a healthier meal. Burritos still can be a good option, however, depending on your taste preferences and lifestyle needs.
Some key takeaways when deciding between a Chipotle bowl or burrito:
- Bowls are typically fewer calories due to omission of the 300 calorie tortilla
- Bowls offer more customization potential for ingredients and portions
- Burritos are more convenient to eat on-the-go
- Both options allow you to build a balanced meal with protein, carbs, and veggies
- Choosing the option you prefer the taste of will lead to greater satisfaction
While bowls tend to be a healthier pick, the right choice ultimately depends on your own preferences and needs. Either a burrito or bowl can be part of an overall healthy diet when ordered with nutritious ingredients. So consider your goals, taste, and lifestyle to decide which fits you best.
References
[1] Chipotle Nutrition Calculator. Available at: https://www.chipotle.com/nutrition-calculator
[2]pHood Nutrition Facts for Chipotle Burrito Tortilla. Available at: https://www.phood.net/nutrition-information/chipotle-mexican-grill/203298
[3] Harvard Health Letter. Eat more fiber. Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/eat-more-fiber
[4] Medical News Today. The advantages of eating slowly. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327128
[5]Healthline. Burritos: Nutrition, Benefits, and Drawbacks. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/burritos-nutrition