9 Chipotle Orders to Skip When You Want a Healthier Meal

Chipotle can feel like one of the easier fast-casual chains to customize around your goals. Between bowls, salads, beans, fajita veggies, salsas, and leaner protein options, it is possible to build a filling meal that feels fresh, satisfying, and family-friendly.

Still, some Chipotle orders can become much heavier than they look once you start stacking rice, cheese, sour cream, queso, chips, tortillas, and higher-calorie extras. Sodium can also add up quickly, even on orders that seem healthier at first glance. Knowing which menu items are worth limiting or skipping can make it easier to build a meal that fits your goals without giving up the flavors people like most about Chipotle.

Moms Who Think reviewed several popular Chipotle menu choices to identify the orders we would avoid when trying to eat a little healthier, along with better options that still feel satisfying. Chipotle has also continued testing limited-time additions, like its Red Chimichurri sauce, which launched across the U.S. and Canada on September 30, 2025.

It may seem contradictory, but one thing that you shouldn't order at Chipotle is the fresh salsa. Salsa on its own isn't very unhealthy. While Chipotle states that its salsas are made fresh daily in-store, some online anecdotes have questioned this, though there is no official confirmation. There's no way of confirming this, but it's something to be aware of if you're considering the salsa.

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 Chipotle crispy taco shell contains about 60-70 calories, and a soft flour tortilla taco shell contains about 80-90 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.

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.

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 an unhealthy option. In the end, the burrito can exceed 1,000 calories, depending on your choice of toppings and portion sizes.

You don't have to order a complex meal to have an unhealthy bite. In the case of Chipotle, all you need is to order too much white rice. Chipotle's white rice contains about 190 mg of sodium per serving, and since it's not as high in nutrients and fiber as other options, it's 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. If you're looking for an alternative, brown rice is a healthier option.

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 number of ingredients included in each one. The carnitas bowl can approach or exceed 1,000 calories if you add extra toppings, but a standard carnitas bowl is about 880 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 are included in the dish.

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 them all yourself, you'll be eating 1,270 calories, which is a big chunk of your daily limit. Plus, the pairing has 82 grams of fat and 149 grams of carbs. If you're going to order this item, at least share it with friends.

If you're trying to be healthy, then be careful with the salads at Chipotle. They may seem innocent at first, but when you keep adding on ingredients, it can significantly add to the calories. If you add white rice and brown rice, you'll get an additional 400 calories. Top off your salad with black beans, pinto beans, and guacamole, and suddenly, your salad isn't so healthy anymore.

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 to avoid at Chipotle. Why? Check out the sodium content. Even if you order a small batch of chips, you're still getting 420 milligrams of sodium. Sure, the seasoning is what makes the chips so tasty, but it's also what makes the sodium so high. Too much sodium can increase your chances of dangerous ailments like stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

When you're ready to start eating healthy at Chipotle, try one of the Lifestyle Bowls. There are numerous options to choose from, including the Balanced Macros Bowl, Wholesome Bowl, and the Keto Salad Bowl. These meals are specifically designed to be compatible with diets such as Whole30, Paleo, and Keto. Each Lifestyle Bowl is a little different, but many are under 500 calories.

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 about 525 calories, 13 grams of carbs, and 36 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.