Are tacos healthier than burgers? (2024)

FAQs

Are tacos healthier than burgers? ›

The Verdict: A Delicious Tie

With certain ingredients and reasonable portion sizes, tacos can be lower in calories, fat, and salt yet higher in fiber than some other types of sandwiches ( 45 ). They can also be a good source of vegetables ( 37 ). Here are a few tips for making tacos even more nutritious.

Tacos are an overall balanced dish, pairing carbs with protein and vegetables. To make the healthiest tacos, choose corn tortillas, a high-protein filling, and top with plenty of vegetables. Want more ideas for building healthy meals with your favorite Latino foods?

All the different textures and flavors make tacos a popular food. But, tacos are best consumed in moderation. Especially if you are eating tacos that have a combination of cheese and meat, which could be high in saturated fat. Your body obtains all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from a diverse diet.

And the Winner Is… Taco Bell!

Well, it all comes down to the menu options and nutritional content. Taco Bell offers a variety of items that are lower in calories, fat, and even include vegetarian options. This makes it easier for folks looking to enjoy their favorite foods without overindulging.

To find out more, we reached out to Michelle Jaelin, a Registered Dietitian based in Toronto. What should tacos be considered — Junk food or health food? Jaelin: “Tacos could be considered as either a junk food or health food, depending on the ingredients used in the taco dish or how it was prepared.

One of the biggest culprits that can instantly turn a healthy taco into a fat bomb is the preparation method. Restaurants and traditionalists often fry those delicious soft shells in lard or a load of fat for a delightful but calorie-dense meal.

While it may look healthy, if it comes smothered in mayonnaise or some other sauce, the hamburger isn't as good for you as a taco. However, prepare a taco with the same lean meat and you're going to come out with less fat and fewer calories. That is until you douse the whole thing in melted cheese and call it a day.

One of the healthiest versions of an authentic Mexican taco is the tacos de carnitas. The meat for this taco is prepared by seasoning it with a little spice and then slowly cooking it in its own fat until it literally falls apart, making this the ultimately pulled pork taco.

If you're trying to limit your calorie intake or want to make a healthier taco, softshell is the option.

How unhealthy is a taco? ›

Best: Tacos

Order the grilled chicken, lean steak, or grilled fish on a baked corn tortilla. Those have 70% more fiber and less than half the fat of their white flour counterparts. Skip the chorizo, fried fish, and carnitas (fried pork or beef), which are higher in unhealthy saturated fat.

It turns out there is no such thing as too much tacos!

Good Source of Protein

Incorporate Mexican meals, such as enchiladas and tacos which contain meat (e.g., pork, fish, beef, chicken, and shrimp) to increase your protein intake. As a result, you keep your muscles and tissues in good condition.

Regardless of its global success, it goes without saying that McDonald's is one of the unhealthiest fast food chains around today. Sure, it has a few healthy offerings on its menu, but frankly, who orders a salad at McDonald's? In fact, salads only make up a measly 2% of sales for McDonald's.

Example 1: A person with a small appetite eating small tacos with light filling and no toppings can consume around 3-4 tacos. Example 2: A person with a healthy appetite eating large tacos with heavy meat filling and toppings can consume around 2-3 tacos.

“If you make healthy choices, you can enjoy traditional Mexican food.” Whether dining out at your favorite Mexican restaurant or cooking a Mexican dish at home, there are simple ways to reduce calories and fat in your meals. Just make some simple changes to the ingredients and how you cook your food.

A one-ounce slice of bread typically contains 75 to 100 calories. Corn tortillas, the traditional choice for tacos and enchiladas, generally have 60 to 65 calories in each small six-inch piece. Flour tortillas are slightly higher in calories because they contain added fat to make them softer and easier to roll.

Today we're talking about one of everybody's favorite low carb meals: tacos! Whether you stuff them with beef, steak, pork, or just veggies, they're one of the easiest meals to keep keto friendly when you're eating out. What is this? Tacos, like all Mexican food, is so flavorful, you won't even miss the carbs!