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[AgeEighty]

Weight Watchers points are a better method for tracking your food intake. They don't take calories into account at all; they're based on a formula that tracks a food's carb, fat, protein and fiber content.

 

[TheGrue]

When I eat there, I do the salad with no sour cream, beans, rice, or cheese. I just used their calculator for what I get and it comes out to 505. That's basically lettuce, carnitas, guacamole, fajita veggies, medium salsa, and tomato salsa. Yeah, the sodium is pretty bad, but I don't eat there often.

 

[Faiz]

People don't pay attention to what they are eatting, news at 11.

/eyeroll.

 

[Vhalyar]

Why do people think high-calorie and unhealthy are the same thing? Doritos and french fries are unhealthy; mayonnaise and burritos aren't unhealthy, they're just high calorie. The only real problem is the sodium.

Because when most people do basically zero physical exercise and sit down in front of a computer and/or TV for the majority of the day and overindulge in calorie dense foods, "high calorie" might as well be synonymous with "unhealthy".

 

[BamfMeat]

The only real problem is the sodium.

Tell us more, doctor.

 

[Who]

I ate there everyday, a lot of times even twice a day, when I worked there for about 8 months. I lost about 10 pounds in my first couple months. Granted, I would rarely load up on it because I didn't want to go back to work with the itus, i still made myself some generously portioned meals. It can be a very healthy meal if you skip out on a few things, I mean its all real food and quality ingredients.

My go-to ended up being three corn shell tacos with white or brown rice (half the sodium), black beans, barbacoa (their healthiest meat), corn, cheese, and lettuce.

 

[Google]

I guess I'm confused as to why an 800 calorie meal full of proteins and vitamins is particularly bad for you.

Sure - there's some high sodium content but I can handle that once or twice a month.

 

[888]

I eat there all the time, multiple times a week. I am down 10lbs since I started eating there. Not just from eating there but I eat there vs other unhealthy places.

I get a bowl with Chicken, Brown Rice, Pinto Beans, Lettuce, Light Cheese, Light Sour Cream, Guac and water to drink.

I only eat half the bowl usually. Most of it comes down to the large meal sizes, just don't eat a huge amount.

 

[loaf of bread]

I guess I'm confused as to why an 800 calorie meal full of proteins and vitamins is particularly bad for you.

Its not bad for you. People are just terrified of calories and fat and don't know how to adjust the rest of their meals to compensate.

 

[Google]

Its not bad for you. People are just terrified of calories and fat and don't know how to adjust the rest of their meals to compensate.

Right.

So instead of scaring the shit out of people with articles like this we should have a responsibliy to properly educate people.

Shit, even 3 meals at 800 calories each would be fine for the average person as long as they're not sitting in bed all day.

 

[entremet]

Right.

So instead of scaring the shit out of people with articles like this we should have a responsibliy to properly educate people.

Shit, even 3 meals at 800 calories each would be fine for the average person as long as they're not sitting in bed all day.

They want to entice people to read the article, not educate people on nutrition.

 

[boiled goose]

Dont they list their calories? How is this a surprise?

1000 a meal is not bad. Just Dont do it 3 times a day.

 

[Google]

They want to entice people to read the article, not educate people on nutrition.

Good point.

Surely we're all intelligent enough to see it through it though?

Right guys?

Guys...

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

NYT really has it out for Chipotle for some reason. A couple months ago they were tweeting multiple times a day for a few weeks about how bad Chipotle is for you.

 

[BattleMonkey]

Correct. Although it is harder at burger joints. I do have my go to meals at places like McDonald's if I'm ways away from a better option.

It's usually two McDoubles and a diet coke. For a meal, that's actually not bad calorie-wise and pretty filling.

The biggest issue with burger places is the fries. Fries are killer. Also Milkshakes are calorie bombs too. Same with non-diet sodas.

Easy to avoid the real bad stuff. I lost 75lbs in college and almost had exclusively ate at fast food places due to logistics of campus life, etc. Stuff like fries, you just don't eat most of the time. Just make smart choices if you are being super picky.

Some places can be impossible of course, like Five Guys which don't have any real healthy options on their menu, and even a fairly cut back burger is a greasy bomb of theirs.

 

[entremet]

NYT really has it out for Chipotle for some reason. A couple months ago they were tweeting multiple times a day for a few weeks about how bad Chipotle is for you.

It's really wacky. I'm guessing they've resorted to clickbait.

The internet has ruined journalism sadly, although the NYT still does great work in their other departments.

 

[radios shipping overview]

This is why I stay the hell away from Chipotle and similar burrito places.

That, and the heartburn and the shits.

 

[Snowman Prophet of Doom]

The real problem at most of these places is probably low-quality oil cooked at too-high temperatures, anyway. 1100 calories is not that bad if you're smart about how you plan around it the rest of the day, and I prefer the bowls, anyway.

 

[oatmeal]

Burrito bowl, brown rice, no beans, chicken, pico, corn, a small amount of cheese, lettuce.

Love it.

 

[Lonely1]

What strikes me, is that I was under the impression that Chipotle was "authentic (or close to authentic)" Mexican food instead of Tex-Mex. But... Barbacoa tacos with sour cream and cheese? :S

 

[SeanR1221]

Its not bad for you. People are just terrified of calories and fat and don't know how to adjust the rest of their meals to compensate.

I'd argue it's shifting to people are now terrified of carbs.

At least online it seems that way.

Every macro has its place. Knowing how much/when to eat them is key.

 

[radios shipping overview]

What strikes me, is that I was under the impression that Chipotle was "authentic (or close to authentic)" Mexican food instead of Tex-Mex. But... Barbacoa tacos with sour cream and cheese? :S

Chipotle is the Gap of Mexican food.

 

[Chezzymann]

Why did people actually think it was healthy in the first place? Because of their 'organic' mantra? That doesn't mean anything about health lol.

I've seen so many 'health' websites put chipotle high on their healthy food lists specifically talking about their "organic foods" as the main point and I just wanted to throw up.

 

[Nastrodamous]

Why did people actually think it was healthy in the first place? Because of their 'organic' mantra? That doesn't mean anything about health lol.

I've seen so many 'health' websites put chipotle high on their healthy food lists specifically talking about their "organic foods" as the main point and I just wanted to throw up.

Because you can get high protein and high vitamin meals.

 

[Knox]

They list calorie information on their website, anyone who's worried about it should already be checking the nutritional info. I get a bowl without sour cream and cheese and it's fine. Tortillas, sour cream, and cheese are high calorie everywhere not just at Chipotle, that shouldn't be shocking to anyone.

 

[STILLethal]

Its worth every calorie doe

 

[Google]

Why did people actually think it was healthy in the first place? Because of their 'organic' mantra? That doesn't mean anything about health lol.

I've seen so many 'health' websites put chipotle high on their healthy food lists specifically talking about their "organic foods" as the main point and I just wanted to throw up.

What about a chicken, brown rice, vegetable and black bean bowl/burrito sounds particularly unhealthy to you?

 

[Ray Wonder]

I will never go to Chipotle and not get guac

 

[GutsOfThor]

That's why when I know I'm going to eat at Chipotle, that's my one meal for the entire day.

 

[Chezzymann]

Because you can get high protein and high vitamin meals.

You can probably get that from Burger King as well, their double whopper has about the same amount of protein as a steak burrito with less calories

 

[Omegasquash]

Why do people think high-calorie and unhealthy are the same thing? Doritos and french fries are unhealthy; mayonnaise and burritos aren't unhealthy, they're just high calorie. The only real problem is the sodium.

High calorie meals on the regular, less an active lifestyle, are generally unhealthy.

 

[Game-Biz]

I will never go to Chipotle and not get guac

This. And I'm only in Intro to Burrito.

 

[Stat Flow]

Since I started at my new job which is downtown, I walk to lunch. I go to Chipotle quite often. My typical Chipotle meal is 650 calories. I'm aiight with that.

And of course that includes Sour Cream and Cheese. Fat is good.

 

[Zoe]

High calorie meals on the regular, less an active lifestyle, are generally unhealthy.

But what if you only eat once or twice a day?

 

[sixteen-bit]

Not surprised. Enjoy in moderation.

 

[God Dayumm]

You can probably get that from Burger King as well, their double whopper has about the same amount of protein as a steak burrito with less calories

Yes, but that meat is first processed into pink goop. Not a source of quality protein tbh

Same for the cheese. Chipotle uses real cheese

 

[TheOctodad]

This just in, food has calories! Bread has lots of carbs!

Seriously, I eat at chipotle because I can get non processed ingredients (for the most part) and I can control how much I take in. If I'm on a cut, I can do a bowl with no cheese, sour cream, and guac and I'm eating light. If I'm on a bulk, I'm grateful to have the 1,000+ calories.

 

[Chezzymann]

Yes, but that meat is first processed into pink goop. Not a source of quality protein tbh

Same for the cheese. Chipotle uses real cheese

You do realize that whole 'pink slime' story from years ago was complete bullshit and shut down an entire company for no reason right? Or hopefully you're being sarcastic. Actually yeah I'm pretty sure you are lol after re reading this.

 

[AnAnole]

High calorie meals on the regular, less an active lifestyle, are generally unhealthy.

High calorie is relative. There's no reason for an active, well-built person to eat like a bird. In fact, undereating could likely lead to future weight gain as the body will become more efficient at storing calories and hunger hormones will increase. Dieting among normal weight people is greatly associated with future obesity.

 

[Omegasquash]

But what if you only eat once or twice a day?

Depends on your base TDEE + any additional calories burned from physical activity. If you eat 2k per day and burn 2500/day, then you'd actually LOSE 1 lb per week.

 

[Butts-a-plenty]

I think the "skip the cheese, sour cream, guac, rice, etc..." is disingenuous. Skip everything that makes it a burrito and taste good, besides the meat, and you're there! Why am I eating there if you're going to basically skip all the good stuff.

 

[BattleMonkey]

Because you can get high protein and high vitamin meals.

Can do that pretty much anywhere depending how you order

 

[IchigoSharingan]

I always get chicken burritos with extra sour cream, cheese, and guac.




Why aren't I fat yet, guys.

Heart disease will probably strike you first.

 

[muteki]

I think the "skip the cheese, sour cream, guac, rice, etc..." is disingenuous. Skip everything that makes it a burrito and taste good, besides the meat, and you're there! Why am I eating there if you're going to basically skip all the good stuff.

Basically don't go to Chipotle for a burrito and expect it to be healthy because of the source or quality of ingredients alone. Fast food is fast food.

 

[TheOctodad]

I think the "skip the cheese, sour cream, guac, rice, etc..." is disingenuous. Skip everything that makes it a burrito and taste good, besides the meat, and you're there! Why am I eating there if you're going to basically skip all the good stuff.

This is the argument that almost everyone that gains weight uses. "I can't eat good food anymore...."

What do you want anyone to do? Either you eat it and get the calories, or you don't. Food taste fine without it, people just get conditioned to eating dairy and fattening foods that "taste good."

 

[IchigoSharingan]

But what if you only eat once or twice a day?

Then you're already unhealthy.

 

[God Dayumm]

You do realize that whole 'pink slime' story from years ago was complete bullshit and shut down an entire company for no reason right? Or hopefully you're being sarcastic. Actually yeah I'm pretty sure you are lol after re reading this.

Yes I'm joking. Actually I think hamburgers can be a very healthy and fulfilling meal and a few simple carbs from the bun are perfectly fine as long as you limit your sugar intake the rest of the day.

 

[entremet]

Heart disease will probably strike you first.

About that.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/03/17/study-questions-fat-and-heart-disease-link/?_r=0

The primary reason saturated fat has historically had a bad reputation is that it increases low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL, the kind that raises the risk for heart attacks. But the relationship between saturated fat and LDL is complex, said Dr. Chowdhury. In addition to raising LDL cholesterol, saturated fat also increases high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, the so-called good cholesterol. And the LDL that it raises is a subtype of big, fluffy particles that are generally benign. Doctors refer to a preponderance of these particles as LDL pattern A.

The smallest and densest form of LDL is more dangerous. These particles are easily oxidized and are more likely to set off inflammation and contribute to the buildup of artery-narrowing plaque. An LDL profile that consists mostly of these particles, known as pattern B, usually coincides with high triglycerides and low levels of HDL, both risk factors for heart attacks and stroke.

The smaller, more artery-clogging particles are increased not by saturated fat, but by sugary foods and an excess of carbohydrates, Dr. Chowdhury said. “It’s the high carbohydrate or sugary diet that should be the focus of dietary guidelines,” he said. “If anything is driving your low-density lipoproteins in a more adverse way, it’s carbohydrates.”

While the new research showed no relationship overall between saturated or polyunsaturated fat intake and cardiac events, there are numerous unique fatty acids within these two groups, and there was some indication that they are not all equal.

 

[AlphaDragoon]

My Chipotle burritos are super simple due to the fact that I was allergic to everything under the sun as a kid and as a result now don't like a lot of stuff now that I've outgrown it. I normally do chicken or barbacoa, pinto beans, brown rice. That's it.

Having them in moderation isn't gonna be the end of the world, I think.

 

[Omegasquash]

High calorie is relative. There's no reason for an active, well-built person to eat like a bird. In fact, undereating could likely lead to future weight gain as the body will become more efficient at storing calories and hunger hormones will increase. Dieting among normal weight people is greatly associated with future obesity.

I don't disagree with what you're saying. That there are lots of people out there that are NOT active and not watching what they eat is more the problem than anything else.

That said, Chipotle exclusively can't and shouldn't be demonized for that. There are plenty of other fast food establishments that are just as happy to serve up something that, I'd wager, is less nutritionally balanced than what you CAN get at Chipotle.