Source: USDA FoodData Central · Fast Food, Beef And Bean · Data verified by CaloriesCalc
* % Daily Value based on a 2,000 kcal diet.
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 564mg | 25% | |
| Iron | 2.1mg | 12% | |
| Calcium | 114mg | 11% | |
| Phosphorus | 165mg | 13% | |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.15mg | 9% | |
| Niacin | 3.4mg | 21% | |
| Zinc | 1.8mg | 16% | |
| Potassium | 215mg | 5% | |
| Magnesium | 27mg | 6% | |
| Folate | 45µg | 11% |
| Weight | Calories | Protein | Net Carbs | Fat |
|---|
Standard beef and bean burrito. Chipotle chicken burrito: ~750 kcal. Chipotle steak burrito with everything: ~1050 kcal. Adding sour cream +60 kcal, guacamole +90 kcal. Bean and rice burritos add fiber. Flour tortilla: ~300 kcal for large size.
Burritos are one of the clearest examples of portion size inflation. A 'standard' fast food burrito is ~200g (421 kcal). A Chipotle burrito with all components (rice, beans, meat, cheese, salsa, sour cream, guacamole) weighs 500-700g and contains 750-1,050 kcal — more than half a day's calorie intake in one meal. The nutritional value per 100g is actually reasonable; the problem is the absolute quantity typically consumed.
The beans in a burrito are a genuine nutritional positive: fiber (prebiotic for gut health), folate, iron, magnesium, and plant protein. A burrito with extra beans and reduced cheese/sour cream is significantly more nutritious than one without beans. Bean consumption is consistently associated with better weight management and lower cardiovascular disease risk. Building burritos around beans rather than cheese and sour cream is the primary nutritional optimization strategy.
A burrito's 564mg sodium per 100g comes from multiple sources: seasoned meat (+200mg), cheese (+150mg), flour tortilla (+300mg for large), salsa (+150mg), and canned beans (+200mg). A full restaurant burrito can contain 1,500-2,500mg of sodium — a full day's recommended intake. Making burritos at home with unsalted beans, lower-sodium cheese, and fresh salsa can reduce sodium by 60-70%.
A burrito bowl (same components without the flour tortilla) saves ~300 kcal and 50g of refined carbohydrates per large restaurant serving. This is one of the most effective single substitutions in fast food calorie management. Adding extra lettuce and salsa instead increases volume and micronutrient content while adding minimal calories.
Nutrition values from USDA FoodData Central. Not medical advice.