Eating Healthy at Taco Bell

This spicy chain tries to lure us in for a fourth meal, late-night snacks and over-the-top tacos. Stay far, far away from any seasonal specialty--especially if it's served in an edible tortilla bowl! Thankfully, the Taco Bell menu has some healthier options that won't have you running for the border.

• Bypass the regular menu and go for the Fresco Menu, which replaces cheese and/or sauce with a zesty fiesta salsa made of diced tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. All items on the Fresco Menu have 330 calories or fewer with no more than 8 g of fat. Here are some of the best Fresco options to consider:
  
  
  • Fresco Crunchy Taco (150 calories, 8 g fat, 370 mg sodium)
  • Fresco Soft Taco with Beef (180 calories, 7 g fat, 650 mg sodium)
  • Fresco Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco (170 calories, 4 g fat, 730 mg sodium)
  • Fresco Grilled Steak Soft Taco (160 calories, 4.5 g fat, 550 mg sodium)
  
  
  
• If you want a little cheese, a taco is your best choice. Try:
  
  
  • Spicy Chicken Soft Taco (170 calories, 6 g fat, 580 mg sodium)
  • Crunchy Taco (170 calories, 10 g fat, 350 mg sodium)
  • Soft Beef Taco (200 calories, 9 g fat, 630 mg sodium)
  
  
  
• Ask for extra fresco salsa or extra lettuce to boost the nutrition of your meal.
  
  
• Add side items to a basic taco or Fresco Menu item to build a more complete meal. The Pintos and Cheese (160 calories, 6 g fat, 670 mg sodium) and Mexican Rice (100 calories, 3 g fat, 790 mg sodium) are great choices.
  
  
• For added flavor without the fat, use the various hot sauces instead of sour cream, cheese sauce or other creamy toppings.
  
  
• Taco Bell provides nutrition info on its website.