NEWS
The SHOCKING Calorie Count of the Average Chipotle Meal (and How to Outsmart the Trend)
With its emphasis on high-quality ingredients and its customizable menu items, Chipotle Mexican Grill is more popular than ever. But just what does that ability to custom-build meals mean when it comes to calorie counts? Researchers at the New York Times set out to determine the number of calories in a typical meal, and here's what they found...
According to analysis of over 3,000 purchases, the average meal ordered at Chipotle has about 1,070 calories. As if that's not bad enough, about 90 percent of the meals analyzed clocked in at over 625 calories... 90 percent!
This isn't the first controversy surrounding Chipotle's calorie counts... Just last year, researchers at Duke University discovered that consumers underestimated the total calories in their order, reportedly by about 21 percent. This means the burrito you think has 600 calories actually has closer to 750.
But before you swear off Chipotle, here are some facts to consider...
* Studies have shown that the average restaurant meal, in general, has more than 1,000 calories. As people who review chain restaurant stats on the regular, we can attest that a lot of menu options hover around that number. The difference? Since most restaurants offer standard choices as opposed to Chipotle's mix-n-match meals, it's easier to determine your meal's calorie count at those eateries, particularly if the nutritional info is provided.
* Chipotle's customization feature -- and online meal builder, complete with custom calorie counts -- also makes it easier to get a truly smart meal. Since the concept encourages a DIY approach, you can design a meal with a reasonable calorie count... rather than having to special order at other places.
* Don't feel like fussing with Chipotle's nutritional calculator, or unsure about your best bets? We've taken the guesswork out of guilt-free eating with our Chipotle Mexican Grill Survival Guide! Check it out, and click here for more restaurant survival guides.
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