Is Del Taco Considered Healthy? A Complete Nutritional Breakdown

November 21, 2025 •

4 min read

While often perceived as a healthier alternative to traditional fast food burgers, Mexican-inspired fast-food chains like Del Taco can still contain high levels of sodium, fat, and calories. The question, 'is Del Taco considered healthy?' depends entirely on your menu choices and portion control.

Quick Summary

An analysis of the Del Taco menu reveals that while some items are very high in calories, fat, and sodium, others can be tailored to fit into a balanced diet. Smart ordering and customization are key to enjoying a nutritious meal at the fast-food chain. Exploring the nutritional data helps to identify the best options for various dietary goals.

Key Points

Depends on the Order: Del Taco's menu has both healthy and unhealthy options, making your specific choices critical.
Prioritize Grilled Options: Choosing grilled chicken or steak over fried or heavily processed meats is key for reducing fat and calories.
Customize Your Meal: Hold cheese, sour cream, and heavy sauces to lower saturated fat and sodium content.
Mind Portions and Combos: Smaller, a la carte items like the Crunchy Snack Taco are better choices than large, epic burritos or combo meals with fries.
Leverage Vegetarian Options: The Beyond Meat and bean-based items can offer a healthy, fiber-rich alternative to traditional meat-based dishes.

Understanding the Nutritional Landscape at Del Taco

Del Taco, like many fast-food chains, offers a wide spectrum of menu items, from low-calorie snacks to high-fat, high-sodium indulgent meals. To truly answer the question, 'is Del Taco considered healthy?', one must look beyond the initial menu and into the nutritional details. The presence of fresh ingredients like guacamole, pico de gallo, and grilled chicken might suggest healthiness, but these can be overshadowed by processed toppings, high-sodium sauces, and fried components. The strategy for a healthy meal at Del Taco relies on customization and mindful selection.

The Healthiest Options on the Del Taco Menu

For those aiming for a more nutritious meal, there are several standout items that can fit into a balanced diet. These typically feature lean protein, fresh produce, and minimal heavy sauces.

Crunchy Snack Taco: This item is one of the most basic and healthiest offerings. With just seasoned beef, lettuce, and cheese in a crispy shell, it provides a satisfying crunch with significantly fewer calories and less sodium than larger tacos.
Grilled Chicken Street Taco: Opting for a street taco with grilled chicken provides a good source of protein without excessive fat. The simple toppings like onions and cilantro add flavor without adding much to the calorie count.
Taco Salad with Fresh Guac and Grilled Chicken: A salad can be a great choice, but it's important to modify it. By holding the creamy dressing and excessive chips, you can enjoy a bowl packed with lettuce, fresh guacamole, and lean grilled chicken.
Egg and Cheese Breakfast Roller: For a healthier start to the day, this simple roller with eggs and cheese in a tortilla is a low-calorie and protein-rich option compared to other breakfast items with processed meats.
Beyond Guacamole Taco: For a plant-based option, the Beyond Meat tacos offer a good source of protein and can be customized with fresh ingredients for a healthier profile.

Comparing Del Taco's Options: Good vs. Bad

To illustrate the range of nutritional values, here is a comparison table highlighting the difference between a healthy choice and a less healthy one within the same meal category.


Item Category	Healthier Choice	Calories	Sodium (mg)	Saturated Fat (g)	Less Healthy Choice	Calories	Sodium (mg)	Saturated Fat (g)
Taco	Crunchy Snack Taco	120	140	3.5	Crispy Chicken & Guac Stuffed Quesadilla Taco	480	1180	10
Burrito	Original Chicken Roller	220	680	2.5	Epic Loaded Queso Burrito with Carne Asada	860	2770	15
Side	Small Crinkle-Cut Fries	160	190	1.5	Carne Asada Fries	760	1180	14

Strategies for a Healthier Del Taco Meal

Even when faced with high-calorie options, savvy ordering can significantly improve the nutritional profile of your meal.

Modify Your Order: Ask to hold the cheese and sour cream. These toppings add unnecessary calories and saturated fat. You can substitute them with fresh salsa or extra lettuce.
Choose Grilled Over Fried: Opt for grilled chicken or steak instead of crispy, breaded, or fried options. This simple switch reduces the amount of oil and fat in your meal.
Go Plant-Based: Utilize Del Taco's Beyond Meat options. Items like the Beyond Guacamole Taco can be a great way to increase fiber and reduce saturated fat, especially when compared to seasoned beef.
Focus on Fiber: Add more beans and fresh vegetables. The bean and cheese burrito, for example, is a filling option with a decent amount of fiber, but be mindful of the sodium content.
Mind Your Portions: Consider ordering a la carte items instead of a combo meal that includes fries and a sugary drink. A few snack tacos or a smaller burrito can be a perfectly sufficient meal.

The Importance of Context

Ultimately, whether a meal from Del Taco is 'healthy' is subjective and depends on your overall diet. A balanced diet allows for occasional fast-food indulgence. If you're on a weight loss journey or have specific dietary restrictions, making informed, customizable choices is crucial. For example, someone following a low-carb diet might order a burrito bowl with no tortilla, while a vegetarian has several options featuring beans and Beyond Meat. Del Taco provides sufficient information on its website to help customers make these decisions. The key is not to view it as an all-or-nothing proposition, but to navigate the menu with an understanding of its nutritional diversity.

Conclusion: A Matter of Choice

Is Del Taco considered healthy? The answer is nuanced: some items can be part of a healthy diet, while others are best enjoyed in moderation. By choosing grilled meats over fried, opting for smaller portions, and customizing your order to minimize cheese and sour cream, you can significantly improve the nutritional profile of your meal. Del Taco's inclusion of plant-based Beyond Meat and vegetarian options further broadens the possibility for healthier eating. As with any fast food, the healthiest option is often the one you customize yourself.

Visit the official Del Taco nutrition page for the most up-to-date nutritional information.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Crunchy Snack Taco is one of the healthiest and most nutritious options, with low calories and sodium. Other good choices include the Grilled Chicken Street Taco or a modified Taco Salad with grilled chicken.

Del Taco's beans provide a good source of protein and fiber. However, like many fast-food items, they can be high in sodium, so it's important to factor that into your overall meal.

Yes, but you will need to customize your order. You can ask for a burrito bowl without the tortilla or order a taco salad with no chips. The Grilled Chicken Taco is also a lower-carb option.

According to some nutrition experts, Del Taco and Taco Bell are comparable in terms of overall healthiness, with both offering a wide range of options. Del Taco sometimes offers more fresh veggie or vegetarian choices.

No, the Epic Burritos are generally not considered healthy. They are often very high in calories, fat, and sodium, making them less suitable for a balanced diet.

Yes, Del Taco offers several vegetarian and vegan options, including Beyond Meat alternatives and bean-based items. The Beyond Guacamole Taco and the 8-Layer Veggie Burrito are popular choices.

To reduce sodium, avoid heavy sauces and cheese, choose grilled options over processed meats, and opt for smaller items. Asking for fresh salsa instead of creamy sauces is a great strategy.