Taco Bell is celebrated for its array of tacos, burritos, and other Tex-Mex specialties and low prices. Although many of its dishes are often seen as indulgent and calorie-dense, there are strategies to make healthier selections that can align with weight loss objectives.
In an enlightening TikTok video, health expert and content creator Josh New, MS, RD, CSSD, CSCS, revealed his top choice for the “best tasting” meal at Taco Bell, designed to aid in healthy weight loss during your next drive-thru visit. Discover his clever tip for ordering the popular Cantina Chicken Bowl and making it even healthier.
@jnewtrition Idk if the meat is real but this Taco Bell hack is #tacobellorders #quicklunch #easymealideas ♬ original sound – Josh New | MS, RD, CSSD, CSCS
How Taco Bell’s Cantina Chicken Bowl Can Support Healthy Weight Loss, According To An Expert
New started his clip by noting: “I’m a weight loss dietitian and this is my go to order for Taco Bell.” He went on to say that it is “probably one of the simplest orders from a fast food restaurant.” The dietitian also explained that he grew up eating Taco Bell and “could easily eat two or three Mexican pizzas, or beefy five layer burritos, or Doritos Locos tacos, but now I would rather spend my calories elsewhere and maximize how much food I can eat, mainly because I’m always hungry.”
He continued: “what I like to get is a Cantina Chicken Bowl and ask for no rice and no beans, and then extra chicken and extra of the triple cheese blend.” New also advised looking into “nutrition calculators online” for those who want to lose weight while enjoying an occasional fast food treat. “Taking out the beans and rice from this takes off 220 calories without really sacrificing the flavor because the added flavor is gonna come from the avocado ranch sauce that’s already in this,” New explained.
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To “boost the food volume more,” he also said he likes to add on “pintos and cheese for 9 grams of protein.” The TikToker went on: “I’ll just take the pintos and cheese and add it into the overall bowl.” New concluded his video by telling viewers: “Shaking the bowl is shown in research to increase the flavor by 1,000%. In this entire bowl is 40 grams of protein and 550 calories.”
He recommended “adding this to your list of fast food places you can stop at when you’re short on time and just need something quick without breaking the calorie bank.”
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According to Taco Bell's website, the chain describes the Cantina Chicken Bowl as a "bowl filled with slow-roasted chicken, seasoned rice, black beans, Avocado Ranch sauce, reduced-fat sour cream, lettuce, shredded purple cabbage, freshly prepared pico de gallo, guacamole, and cheddar cheese."
It usually contains 540 calories and costs $7.89. Overall, we're def trying this ordering hack for more protein!
