Is Taco Bell Considered Healthy? Separating Fact from Fiesta

November 10, 2025 •

4 min read

Since 2008, Taco Bell has made significant efforts to reduce sodium and remove artificial ingredients from its menu, causing many to wonder: is Taco Bell considered healthy? While the chain is known for indulgent items, it offers surprising customizable options for health-conscious diners.

Quick Summary

An analysis of Taco Bell's menu reveals a mix of highly customizable, lighter options and calorie-dense favorites. Smart choices and ingredient modifications can lead to a more balanced and nutritious meal, making it possible to fit Taco Bell into a healthy lifestyle.

Key Points

Customization is Key: The key to a healthier Taco Bell meal is modifying your order by choosing leaner proteins and opting for 'Fresco Style' to reduce calories and fat.
Lighter Options Exist: Menu items like the Cantina Chicken Bowl, crunchy tacos, and bean burritos can be part of a balanced meal plan if ordered mindfully.
Mind the Sodium: Even with corporate-led reductions, many items still contain high levels of sodium, so monitoring your portion size and overall intake is essential.
Ingredient Improvements: Taco Bell has phased out artificial ingredients and sources premium beef, moving towards higher quality ingredients than previously thought.
Not a Daily Diet: While there are healthy choices, Taco Bell should still be viewed as an occasional treat rather than a daily dining habit due to the nature of fast food.
Use the Nutrition Calculator: Taco Bell provides a comprehensive nutrition calculator online, empowering you to track and manage the calories, fat, and sodium in your specific order.

The Truth About Taco Bell's Nutrition

Fast food has long been associated with adverse health effects, but chains like Taco Bell are making strides to offer more balanced menu items. The answer to "is Taco Bell considered healthy?" is nuanced and largely depends on a diner's specific choices. While many items are loaded with sodium, fat, and calories, Taco Bell has actively worked to improve its ingredient quality and offers a range of options that can fit into a nutritious diet. The key is to navigate the menu with awareness and to utilize the many customization options available.

Taco Bell's Behind-the-Scenes Improvements

Over the past decade, Taco Bell has made several changes to improve its nutritional profile. These efforts address common fast-food criticisms and provide better choices for consumers. Some of the notable improvements include:

Sodium Reduction: Since 2008, Taco Bell has reduced sodium across its menu, with a goal of a total 25% reduction by 2025. This makes a significant impact on heart-healthy dining.
Ingredient Simplification: The company has removed artificial flavors and colors, replacing them with natural alternatives where possible. This move appeals to diners seeking more natural ingredients.
Quality Proteins: Taco Bell uses 100% USDA premium beef in its seasoned beef, and its proteins are sourced and prepared in a consistent, standardized way. The beef is cooked, drained, and seasoned with a blend of spices, not composed mostly of fillers as was once rumored.
Vegetarian Options: With a robust selection of meat-free items, Taco Bell is one of the more veg-friendly fast-food options. Black beans and refried beans offer fiber and protein, and many items can be made vegetarian by substituting meat.

How to Build a Healthier Meal at Taco Bell

Creating a balanced meal at Taco Bell is possible by applying a few simple hacks. Customization is your greatest tool for managing calories, fat, and sodium content.

Tips for Customizing Your Order:

Order "Fresco Style": Ask for any item "fresco style." This replaces cheese, sour cream, and creamy sauces with fresh, diced tomatoes, instantly slashing calories and fat.
Swap Proteins: Replace seasoned beef with grilled chicken or black beans for a leaner, higher-protein, or higher-fiber meal.
Prioritize Grilled over Fried: Choose grilled chicken options instead of fried shells or breaded meats to reduce fat intake.
Go Light on the Dairy: Request less cheese and sour cream or skip them entirely on your order.
Load Up on Veggies: Add extra lettuce, tomatoes, and other available vegetables for more volume and nutrients.

Healthier Menu Item Examples

Several menu items can serve as a base for a healthier meal. These include:

Cantina Chicken Bowl: With 490 calories and 25g of protein, this option features grilled chicken, rice, and beans.
Crunchy or Soft Tacos: A single crunchy taco contains 170 calories and 8g of protein, while a soft taco is 180 calories. Ordering these fresco style makes them even lighter.
Bean Burrito: A classic bean burrito offers 360 calories and is a satisfying vegetarian option. Ordering it fresco style reduces calories further.

Nutritional Comparison Table

To illustrate the difference smart choices can make, here is a comparison of some popular Taco Bell menu items, based on standard preparation:


Item	Calories	Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)
Crunchwrap Supreme	530	22	1000
Grilled Chicken Power Bowl	470	25	1180
Bean Burrito (Standard)	360	11	1040
Crunchy Taco (Standard)	170	9	310
Soft Taco (Standard)	180	8	490
Cheesy Roll Up	180	9	430

The Potential Downsides

Despite the improvements, Taco Bell still faces challenges related to public health. The most significant issue is the high sodium content found in many of its savory items. For individuals with high blood pressure, diabetes, or other conditions sensitive to sodium, portion control is critical. Even healthier-sounding items like the Cantina Chicken Bowl contain over 1,000mg of sodium, nearly half of the recommended daily limit. Another potential issue is portion size. While a single soft taco is low-calorie, ordering multiple items can quickly lead to high caloric and sodium intake. It is important to be mindful and use the online nutrition calculator to track your intake.

Conclusion: Making Informed Choices

So, is Taco Bell considered healthy? The answer isn't a simple yes or no. It's more accurate to say that Taco Bell can be a healthy option, but it requires mindful decision-making. The chain has made commendable efforts to improve ingredient quality and transparency, offering a solid range of customizable choices for those looking to eat healthier within a fast-food context. By focusing on leaner proteins like chicken or beans, opting for fresco-style preparations, and controlling portion sizes, consumers can easily create a balanced and satisfying meal that aligns with their dietary goals. Ultimately, like any fast food, moderation and making informed choices are the keys to enjoying Taco Bell while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

For more detailed nutritional information, consult Taco Bell's official website: Taco Bell Nutrition Information.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no single 'healthiest' item, as it depends on your dietary needs. The Cantina Chicken Bowl is often cited by dietitians for its good balance of protein, fiber, and vegetables. Other good options include fresco-style soft tacos with chicken or the black beans and rice side dish.

To reduce calories, order items 'fresco style' to replace creamy sauces and cheese with fresh pico de gallo. You can also swap out beef for leaner grilled chicken or black beans.

Yes, Taco Bell uses 100% USDA premium beef. A 2011 lawsuit and subsequent ingredient transparency revealed that the seasoned beef is 88% beef, with the remaining ingredients being water, spices, and seasonings, similar to home cooking preparations.

Taco Bell offers more customizable and vegetarian options than many traditional burger-and-fries chains. A 2021 study even showed that Taco Bell meals were generally lower in calories from fat and cholesterol compared to McDonald's. However, overall healthiness still depends on specific menu choices.

Yes, it is possible to include Taco Bell in a balanced diet or weight loss plan. The key is moderation and making informed choices, such as customizing orders to be lower in calories, fat, and sodium.

Many vegetarian items like the bean burrito or black beans and rice are excellent sources of fiber and can be lower in fat. However, some items, like the Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito, can still be high in calories and sodium, so it's best to check the nutritional information.

Despite efforts to reduce sodium, many of Taco Bell's items remain high in salt, especially larger or creamier dishes. High sodium intake is linked to elevated blood pressure and risk of heart disease, so portion control and careful choices are necessary.