Finding the Healthiest Options at Del Taco
Navigating a fast-food menu can be a challenge for health-conscious diners, but Del Taco offers several menu items and customization options to create a more nutritious meal. The key is to look beyond the heavily loaded burritos and fried items towards simple, grilled, and fresh-ingredient choices. By understanding the nutritional breakdown, you can make informed decisions that align with your dietary goals, whether that's reducing calories, increasing protein, or cutting back on fat and sodium.
The Healthiest Tacos: Lean and Clean
When it comes to tacos, simplicity is often best. The most nutritious options feature grilled meats and fresh toppings rather than deep-fried shells or excessive cheese and sauces. The best choices include:
- Chicken Del Carbon Taco: This is one of the leanest options, featuring grilled, marinated chicken with onions, cilantro, and green sauce in a corn tortilla. With just 110 calories and 3.5g of fat, it’s a great high-protein choice.
- Crunchy Snack Taco: For those who crave a crispy shell, the Crunchy Snack Taco is a surprisingly good option. With seasoned beef, lettuce, and cheese, it's a solid, lower-calorie choice.
- Carne Asada Street Taco: Featuring marinated grilled steak, onions, and cilantro on two corn tortillas, this taco is both flavorful and relatively low in calories.
To make your tacos even healthier, consider ordering them “Del Fresca” style, which replaces cheese and sour cream with pico de gallo, or adding extra vegetables like tomatoes and onions.
The Best Burritos: Mindful Choices
While burritos can quickly become a calorie bomb, some options can be healthier with a few modifications. The oversized “Epic” burritos are generally best avoided, but the smaller rollers offer a better starting point.
- Original Chicken Roller: This is one of the more nutritious burrito options, with grilled chicken, cheddar cheese, and green sauce rolled in a flour tortilla.
- Bean & Cheese Burrito: A classic vegetarian choice, the standard bean and cheese burrito is a reliable option. To reduce sodium, ask for no red or green sauce.
- Epic Beyond Fresh Guacamole Burrito: A great plant-based option, this burrito features Beyond Meat, fresh guacamole, beans, and fresh ingredients. While it has more calories than some other items, it is still a healthier choice than many of its meat-based counterparts.
Customization is Key: Building a Healthier Meal
One of the biggest advantages of Del Taco is the ability to customize your order to better fit your dietary needs. This allows you to control portion sizes and remove high-fat, high-sodium ingredients.
Tips for Customizing Your Order:
- Go Lean on Protein: Opt for grilled chicken or steak over seasoned beef or fried chicken. Beyond Meat is also an excellent protein source.
- Load Up on Veggies: Add fresh pico de gallo, lettuce, and onions to increase fiber and nutrients.
- Limit High-Fat Additions: Ask for light cheese, no sour cream, and skip the creamy sauces. Substitute fresh avocado or guacamole for healthy fats instead of creamy dressings.
- Choose Corn Tortillas: Corn tortillas are often a lower-calorie and less-processed alternative to large flour tortillas.
- Skip the Combo: Order à la carte items instead of a combo meal to avoid high-calorie sides like fries and sugary drinks.
Healthier Options Beyond Tacos and Burritos
Del Taco offers a variety of other items that can be healthy choices, especially when customized correctly.
- Taco Salad with Grilled Chicken: A taco salad can be a nutritious option, especially when you choose grilled chicken and ask for no chips or sour cream. Fill it with fresh vegetables like lettuce, pico de gallo, and guacamole.
- Snack Queso Quesadilla: This smaller-sized quesadilla is a more moderate choice than larger, stuffed versions. Consider pairing it with a side of beans or extra vegetables to make it a more substantial meal.
- 3 Layer Queso Nachos: This smaller, more basic nacho dish is relatively lower in calories than other loaded options. It features simple ingredients like tortilla chips, beans, and queso.
Comparison Table: Healthiest vs. Unhealthiest Choices
| Item | Healthiest Choice (Example) | Unhealthiest Choice (Example) | Difference & Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taco | Chicken Del Carbon Taco (110 Cal, 3.5g Fat) | Crispy Chicken & Guac Stuffed Quesadilla Taco (480 Cal, 26g Fat) | The healthiest option uses grilled meat and a corn tortilla, while the unhealthiest uses fried chicken and a cheesy, stuffed tortilla. |
| Burrito | Original Chicken Roller (220 Cal, 8g Fat) | Epic Loaded Queso Burrito with Carne Asada (Epiic Loaded Queso Burrito With Carne Asada: around 800-900+ Cal) | The healthiest is a modest size with lean protein, whereas the unhealthiest is large and filled with multiple types of meat, sauces, and toppings. |
| Breakfast | Egg & Cheese Breakfast Roller (250 Cal, 12g Fat) | Epic Scrambler Burrito with Bacon (around 900+ Cal) | A simple, non-processed breakfast item versus a heavy, oversized burrito with multiple meats and rich sauces. |
| Sides | Small Crinkle-Cut Fries (160 Cal, 10g Fat) | Carne Asada Fries (1100+ Cal) | A small portion of a classic side is a moderate treat, while loaded fries are packed with high-calorie toppings. |
Conclusion
While the concept of "healthiest fast food" is relative, Del Taco offers surprisingly good options for those mindful of their diet. The Chicken Del Carbon Taco stands out as an exceptionally light and low-calorie choice, while the Egg & Cheese Breakfast Roller offers a modest, filling breakfast. However, customization is your most powerful tool. Opting for grilled protein, fresh vegetables, and limiting high-fat additions like creamy sauces and excess cheese allows you to enjoy the menu without overdoing it. Remember to check the official nutrition information, but the general rule of thumb is: keep it simple, fresh, and grilled for the most nutritious Del Taco experience.
