Taco Bell may be beloved for its bold flavors and budget-friendly bites, but not everything on the menu plays nice with your health goals. From oversized burritos to deep-fried favorites, some choices pack more fat, sodium, and calories than you bargained for. Fortunately, the chain also offers smarter alternatives that don’t sacrifice flavor. Whether you’re watching your waistline or just want to feel better after your meal, it pays to know which items to skip—and which to savor. Here’s a breakdown of Taco Bell’s 8 least healthy menu items, along with 9 better-for-you picks that still hit the spot.
1. Cheesy Double Beef Burrito Combo
When combined with Large Nacho Fries and a Dirty Baja Blast, this meal creates the perfect storm of dietary red flags. The burrito alone contains heavily processed beef mixed with multiple cheese varieties and sauces.
Add the large portion of fried potatoes coated in seasoning and cheese dip, plus a sugar-loaded soda with extra syrup, and you’ve got a combination that can exceed 1,500 calories.
The fat, sodium, and sugar trifecta hits nearly every nutritional warning category at once. Many customers don’t realize this single meal provides more calories than most people should consume in an entire day.
2. Beef XXL Grilled Stuft Burrito
The name says it all – this oversized creation lives up to its “XXL” promise in both portion size and nutritional impact.
Weighing in at nearly a pound, this massive burrito combines seasoned beef, three-cheese blend, reduced-fat sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, rice, and beans in a flour tortilla. Despite containing some healthier ingredients like beans and tomatoes, the sheer volume pushes this item to around 800 calories.
The saturated fat content approaches 10 grams, while sodium levels soar above 2,000mg. Even the reduced-fat sour cream can’t save this menu item from its status as one of Taco Bell’s most calorie-dense offerings.
3. Fiesta Taco Salad
Don’t let the word “salad” fool you – this menu item might be the most misleading of all Taco Bell’s offerings. The crispy fried tortilla bowl alone adds significant calories and fat before any ingredients are even added.
Filled with seasoned beef, refried beans, rice, tomatoes, lettuce, reduced-fat sour cream, and cheese, this dish masquerades as a healthier option.
The reality? It contains more calories than multiple regular tacos combined. The creamy dressing and fried shell transform what could have been a nutrient-rich meal into one of the menu’s biggest dietary pitfalls, proving that not all salads deserve their healthy reputation.
4. Steak Grilled Cheese Burrito
This indulgent burrito packs a serious caloric punch that might surprise even dedicated Taco Bell fans. Loaded with steak, a three-cheese blend, creamy chipotle sauce, and rice, it delivers nearly a meal’s worth of calories in one hand-held package.
The combination of multiple cheese layers and seasoned steak creates a saturated fat content that exceeds half the daily recommended limit. Meanwhile, the sodium levels reach alarming heights, approaching 2,000mg in just one item. For perspective, that’s roughly 80% of what health experts recommend consuming in an entire day!
5. Cheesy Gordita Crunch
This fan-favorite creation represents Taco Bell’s knack for creative combinations that taste amazing but come with nutritional consequences. A soft flatbread layer hugs a hard taco shell, with melted three-cheese blend acting as the delicious glue between them.
Inside lurks seasoned beef, lettuce, more cheese, and spicy ranch sauce. The double-shell approach means double the refined carbs, while the multiple cheese layers and creamy sauce contribute to its significant fat content.
What makes this item particularly tricky is its seemingly moderate size – many customers don’t realize they’re consuming nearly 500 calories in what appears to be a standard taco.
6. Nachos BellGrande
A mountain of tortilla chips serves as the foundation for this popular shareable that quickly adds up in the nutrition department. Topped with seasoned beef, warm nacho cheese sauce, refried beans, diced tomatoes, and reduced-fat sour cream, it creates a tempting display of colors and textures.
The combination of fried chips, multiple cheese varieties, and beef pushes this dish to nearly 750 calories with 38 grams of fat. Many customers underestimate the impact because nachos seem like a lighter option compared to burritos.
Even when shared between two people, each person still consumes a significant amount of saturated fat and sodium in what amounts to just a portion of their meal.
7. Breakfast Crunchwrap Sausage
Starting your day with this breakfast option means consuming nearly a third of your daily calorie needs before you’ve even left the drive-thru. The hexagonal package contains sausage patty, scrambled eggs, hash browns, shredded cheese, and creamy jalapeño sauce folded into a grilled tortilla.
The combination of processed meat, fried potatoes, and multiple high-fat ingredients creates a morning meal with alarming saturated fat content.
Sodium levels exceed 1,000mg – nearly half the daily recommended limit with your first meal of the day. The crispy hash browns inside may seem like a breakfast staple, but they significantly contribute to the fat content while adding minimal nutritional value.
8. Mexican Pizza
This beloved menu item made a triumphant return after passionate fan demands, but its nutrition profile remains unchanged. Two crispy flour tortillas fried to a golden crisp sandwich a layer of refried beans and seasoned beef, topped with pizza sauce, tomatoes, and a three-cheese blend.
The double layer of fried tortillas forms the foundation of its problematic nutrition, contributing significant fat before toppings are even added. At around 540 calories with 30g of fat, this nostalgic favorite delivers a hefty dose of saturated fat and sodium.
Many fans don’t realize that this relatively small item contains more calories than multiple regular tacos, making portion control particularly challenging.
9. Healthy: Power Menu Bowl
Unlike its calorie-heavy counterparts, this thoughtfully designed bowl offers impressive nutrition in a satisfying package. Grilled chicken provides lean protein without excess fat, while black beans and rice deliver filling complex carbohydrates and additional protein.
Fresh guacamole adds heart-healthy fats and creamy texture without the saturated fat found in cheese sauces. Lettuce, tomatoes, and reduced-fat sour cream round out the bowl with vegetables and flavor.
With 26 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber for just 460 calories, this option keeps you full longer while providing nutrients often missing from fast food meals. It’s proof that Taco Bell can create genuinely nutritious options when they prioritize whole food ingredients.
10. Black Bean Chalupa Supreme
This vegetarian version of a Taco Bell classic offers a smart way to reduce saturated fat while maintaining flavor and satisfaction. The signature chalupa shell – a slightly puffed, soft yet crispy flatbread – cradles seasoned black beans instead of meat.
Topped with lettuce, tomatoes, reduced-fat sour cream, and a three-cheese blend, it delivers multiple textures and flavors in each bite. The black beans provide 6 grams of fiber and plant-based protein that helps keep hunger at bay longer than meat-based alternatives.
At around 350 calories, this option satisfies cravings for something substantial while providing nutrients like iron, magnesium, and B vitamins from the beans.
11. Crunchy Taco
Sometimes the original is still the best choice. This menu staple has remained virtually unchanged since Taco Bell’s founding, featuring a simple corn shell filled with seasoned beef, lettuce, and shredded cheese.
At just 170 calories with 8 grams of protein, it provides satisfying crunch and flavor without dietary disaster. The reasonable portion size makes it easy to control your intake – two tacos still come in under 350 calories.
The simplicity of ingredients means fewer additives and processed components compared to more complex menu items. For those watching their carbohydrate intake, this option contains significantly fewer carbs than burritos or gorditas while still delivering the classic Taco Bell flavors.
12. Bean Burrito
This unassuming menu item has been satisfying vegetarians and budget-conscious customers for decades with good reason. Refried beans provide a hearty base of plant protein and fiber, wrapped in a soft flour tortilla with red sauce, onions, and shredded cheese.
With 13 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber, it keeps hunger at bay much longer than many meat-based alternatives. The beans provide important nutrients like iron, magnesium, and B vitamins that support energy levels and overall health.
At around 350 calories, it’s substantial enough to satisfy without overloading on calories. For those seeking more vegetables, asking for added lettuce and tomatoes creates an even more nutritionally balanced meal.
13. Soft Taco with Beef
For those who love the classic Taco Bell flavors but find hard shells too challenging to digest, the Soft Taco offers a welcome alternative. The soft flour tortilla contains the same seasoned beef, crisp lettuce, and shredded cheese as its crunchy counterpart.
At just 180 calories, it provides satisfying flavor with 10 grams of protein. The soft tortilla makes this option easier to eat on the go without the structural failures that sometimes plague crunchy tacos.
Nutritionally speaking, it offers a moderate calorie count and balanced macronutrients, making it easy to fit into most eating plans. For those seeking extra vegetables, adding tomatoes or onions enhances nutrition without significantly impacting calories.
14. Black Beans and Rice
This humble side dish punches well above its weight class nutritionally. Seasoned black beans paired with Mexican rice create a complete protein source that provides sustained energy without the saturated fat found in meat options.
At just 170 calories per serving, it delivers 4 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein. The beans contain important minerals like iron, magnesium, and potassium that support multiple body functions.
This side works beautifully as a meal component rather than a standalone item – add it to a soft taco or eat alongside a Fresco-style item for a more filling meal. For those monitoring sodium intake, this option contains less sodium than most meat-based menu items.
15. Cheese Quesadilla Fresco Style
The standard cheese quesadilla is a simple indulgence of melted three-cheese blend inside a grilled flour tortilla. Ordering it “Fresco Style” transforms it nutritionally by replacing some cheese and creamy sauces with fresh pico de Gallo.
This simple switch reduces fat and calories while adding vegetables and flavor through fresh tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. The result maintains the satisfying melted cheese experience but with a lighter profile and brighter flavor.
Many customers don’t realize that the “Fresco Style” modification can be applied to nearly any Taco Bell item, making it a versatile trick for improving nutrition across the menu. The pico adds vitamin C and antioxidants typically missing from fast food options.
16. Doritos Locos Taco
The innovative Doritos-flavored shell adds a flavor punch that satisfies cravings without the calorie load of larger menu items. Despite its bold taste and distinctive orange appearance, this taco contains a reasonable 170 calories – the same as a standard crunchy taco.
Filled with seasoned beef, lettuce, and cheese, it provides 8 grams of protein in a portion-controlled package. The flavor-dusted shell creates taste satisfaction that might otherwise require additional sauces or toppings.
For those who find themselves tempted by more indulgent menu items, this option delivers distinctive flavor without nutritional regret. Pairing it with a side of black beans creates a more filling meal while adding fiber and nutrients.
17. Cantina Chicken Burrito
This elevated burrito option features slow-roasted chicken that provides high-quality protein without the saturated fat content of beef options. The addition of purple cabbage brings color, crunch, and antioxidants rarely found in fast food.
Pico de gallo adds fresh flavor and nutrients, while a moderate amount of shredded cheese provides calcium without excessive fat. The 24 grams of protein supports muscle maintenance and creates lasting fullness.
With 5 grams of fiber and around 450 calories, this burrito offers a balanced macronutrient profile that works well for active individuals. The slow-roasted chicken preparation method results in more tender meat with less need for heavy sauces or excessive sodium to create flavor.
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