Healthiest Taco Bell Items: Low-Calorie & High-Protein

Prices last updated: October 29, 2026

The healthiest items at Taco Bell are the simple ones: a Crunchy Taco (170 calories), a chicken Soft Taco (160 calories, 12 g protein), Black Beans and Rice (160 calories) and, for protein, the 5-piece Crispy Chicken Nuggets (26 g for 320 calories) or a Chicken Quesadilla (26 g). Here is how to eat lighter at Taco Bell, using Taco Bell’s own nutrition numbers.

Lowest-calorie Taco Bell items

Taco Bell’s published nutrition information. Standard recipes.

Best high-protein choices

Tips for healthier Taco Bell orders

• Go “Fresco style”: ask for any item Fresco and Taco Bell swaps cheese, sour cream and creamy sauces for pico de gallo.
• Pick chicken or beans: chicken versions of tacos and burritos usually have fewer calories and more protein than beef.
• Watch the sodium: many burritos and specialties have more than 1,000 mg of sodium, close to half of the 2,300 mg daily limit in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
• Skip the sugary drink: a 30 oz Baja Blast adds 420 calories; Zero Sugar adds almost none.
• Use a bowl: the Veggie Bowl has no tortilla and lots of beans and rice, but it is not light at 510 calories.

Least healthy items

The heaviest regular items are Nachos BellGrande (730 calories), the Grilled Cheese Burrito (690) and the Breakfast Crunchwrap with sausage (740). They are fine to share, but they are a full meal’s worth of calories on their own. See all Taco Bell calories.

This guide is general information, not medical or nutrition advice. If you have a medical condition or food allergy, check Taco Bell’s official nutrition and allergen information and talk to a health professional.

Healthy Taco Bell FAQ