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How to Save Calories at Chipotle

Skip the Burrito, and Order This at Chipotle Instead — and Save Almost 600 Calories!

Chipotle is one of the best "fast food" places you can grab a quick bite. Since their menu offers tons of options that are filled with veg and lean proteins, you can actually sit down to a fairly healthy meal. But if you're watching your calories and macros, either to lose weight or reach a gains goal, it all comes down to the meal you choose, the add-ons, and the portion sizes.

Rachel Paul, a registered dietitian known as collegenutritionist on Instagram, focuses on helping college students and grads lose weight and feel amazing. She posted these comparison photos to prove a point about menu choices. The burrito on the left made with rice, beans, steak, corn salsa, tomato salsa, sour cream, and a wrap is 1,035 calories with 127 grams of carbs — that's two meal's worth of calories! On the right, the salad is made with lettuce, cheese, fajita veggies, tomato salsa, steak, and beans for more than half the calories at 455, with just 30 grams of carbs. And that doesn't even include any extra calories you consume from chips and guac, or beverages!

Allow this to be a visual reminder that if you're watching your calorie and carb intake, a salad is a great option over a burrito. It's still full of all the yummy burrito fillings, minus the wrap and the rice. Or if you're really craving a burrito — and let's face it, sometimes a salad just won't do — sub the rice for veggies, cut it in half, and save the rest for tomorrow's lunch.

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