9 Things You Shouldn’t Order the Next Time You Take Your Family to Chipotle

If you're like me, then you're also a Chipotle super-fan. I find myself going there several times per month with my family. It's hard to resist. The food seems to be so fresh and tasty and it always hits the spot. However, while the food is good, just like at any restaurant, there are some menu items you should generally try to avoid. Either they're not very healthy or they may not be as advertised. To show you what we mean, we have composed this list of items that you and your family maybe shouldn't order at Chipotle.

Don't worry. This list isn't all doom and gloom. In addition to mentioning some items you should generally avoid, we'll also mention three tasty and healthy items that you should definitely try. Check out this list and see if your favorite made an appearance.

It may seem crazy to order a taco or burrito and not get a side of chips, but they are one of the main things that youshouldn't order at Chipotle. The main reason is the sodium content. Even if you order a small batch of fries, you're still getting 420 milligrams of sodium. Sure, the seasoning is what makes the chips so tasty, but they are bad news. Too much sodium can increase your chances of dangerous ailments like stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

You don't have to order a complex meal in order to have an unhealthy bite. In the case of Chipotle, all you need is to order too much white rice. Regular white rice has a ton of sodium and it lacks nutrients and fiber, which makes it high on the glycemic index, meaning it can cause blood sugar spikes. If you really want rice with your burrito, get it, but don't go overboard. Really, you're better off getting brown rice because it does contain nutrients, so it's less unhealthy overall.

One of the most unhealthy dishes at Chipotle is the carnitas bowl. Many of the bowls that the restaurant sells are rather unhealthy, mostly due to the size and pile of ingredients included in each one. However, the carnitas bowl is one of the worst, as it clocks in at over 1,000 calories. Keep in mind that doctors recommend eating less than 3,000 calories in an entire day, so you can see how this one would be bad for you. A lot of the blame lies on the cheese, guacamole, and sour cream that's included in the dish.

While you're at it, you should also avoid the carnitas burrito if you value your health. Again, it comes down to the ingredients. Once you pack in the sour cream, cheese, and white rice, you're asking for punishment. In the end, the burrito could have close to 1,400 calories, which is a lot for lunch. Even worse, the burrito is loaded with sodium, so you're not doing your body any favors.

It may not seem to be true, but one thing that you shouldn't order at Chipotle is the fresh salsa. Salsa on its own isn't very unhealthy. However, according to gossip by former employees, the salsa is not made fresh as advertised. According to a post on Reddit, the salsa is actually one of the few things at Chipotle that is not made fresh every day. So, it may taste good, but it may also be days old.

It can be tempting to order your main meal, be it a burrito or steak salad, and to also get a side of chips and guacamole, but you should be careful. If you order the large chips and the large guacamole, and you eat it all yourself, you'll be eating 1,270 calories, which is a big chunck of your daily limit. Plus, the pairing has 82 grams of fat and 126 grams of carbs. If you're going to order this item, at least share it with friends.

Chipotle has a nice selection of single sides that are great for dipping your chips. But if you're trying to lose weight or stay healthy, then the side you shouldn't order at Chipotle is the large size of the queso blanco. That dip by itself has 480 calories. That's before you add the chips to the equation. This is another side that we hope you share with friends so you're not getting all of those calories yourself.

If you're trying to be healthy, then be careful with salads. They may seem innocent at first, but when you keep adding oningredients, you may be asking for help. For instance, if you decide to add on smoked brisket, you'll be adding an extra 360 calories to your dish. If you add white rice and brown rice, you'll get an additional 400 calories. Further, top off your salad with black beans, pinto beans, and guacamole, and suddenly, your salad isn't so healthy anymore.

Just like with the salads, you should be careful when ordering tacos because it's easy to go overboard. In many cases, the shells are the most unhealthy component. A single crispy shell contains 200 calories, and a soft shell has 250 calories. Once you start adding the meat and condiments, the calories will start to add up. If you decide to have several tacos, you may be asking for trouble.

When you're ready to start eating healthy at Chipotle, begin with the chicken fajita salad. Often, any menu item with the word "salad" in the title is a good starting point. This particular salad has only 44 grams of carbs and 25 grams of fat. On the flip side, it has 8 grams of fiber and 37 grams of protein, both of which are good for you. This tasty salad is full of lettuce, grilled chicken, veggies, and corn salsa. They are all of the ingredients that can keep you in good physical shape.

With some modifications, you can get a healthy meal out of the steak and rice burrito bowl. Steak is a great source of protein because it is essential for strengthening your bones, muscles, and skin. Plus, protein helps to regulate your immune system. This burrito bowl has 31 grams of protein, which is a good amount. Rice and beans are also good sources of fiber, but too much rice can be unhealthy. So, to rectify this issue, when you order, ask for "light rice." 

If you're a meat eater and you want something healthy that's also a bit more substantial, then go for the steak salad. This meal includes steak, lettuce, veggies, and guacamole. This dish is tasty, and it provides a good amount of fiber and protein. Overall, the meal has 445 calories, 23 grams of carbs, and 28 grams of fat. It's not the healthiest meal in the world, but if you watch what you eat the rest of the day, you'll be okay.