The question “is Chipotle healthy?” is one that you might assume you know the answer to. It’s fast food, right? What could possibly be healthy about overstuffed burritos, bowls and tacos? Turns out, a lot actually (hallelujah!). This is largely thanks to the new improvements Chipotle has made to its menu and to the transparency and quality of its ingredients. The chain promises that all the ingredients are sourced from reputable farms and that things like health of the soil, farming techniques and welfare of animals are considered when passing out contracts. But you don’t have to take their word for it—Chipotle is nutritionist approved.
“I would consider Chipotle a healthy option, and I am impressed by how they have considered the health of their customers by revising their ingredient list and removing preservatives and unnecessary additives,” says Rhode Island-based nutritionist Wendy Leonard. “Everyone can read the ingredient list without looking up the name of a ‘hard-to-pronounce’ chemical preservative or additive.”
The chain’s new menu is created entirely from a list of 53 “clean” ingredients, but not all of them are going to nourish your healthy bod in the same way. To ensure you’re making the best decisions when hitting up the “food with integrity” restaurant, Leonard has armed us with her tips below.