Tacos are the world’s most popular food. They are convenient, fast, and great. Out of all the numerous options, the bean and cheese taco is a comfort food. Melted cheese and spicy beans in a hot tortilla is a dinner, lunch, or breakfast item devoured with relish. But if you are health-conscious, you’ll ask yourself: how many calories does a bean and cheese taco have? Guilt-free delight or one of those guilty pleasures? Let’s find out.
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What Is a Bean and Cheese Taco?
Bean and cheese taco is a melted cheese and refried beans-filled softly folded flour or corn tortilla. People add other toppings like hot sauce, lettuce, or salsa. It is one of the most eaten restaurant fare that is eaten from the taco truck or at home.
The ingredients used in this taco are very minute and render the taco filling inexpensive. Beans contain fiber and protein, while cheese contains cream and taste. Both of them together in one offer a filling meal with plenty of calorie content if the serving quantity and size of the ingredient are high.
Calories in a Bean and Cheese Taco
The calorie in a bean and cheese taco is also variable. It depends on tortilla size. It also depends on the type of bean, and degree of cheese. Average:
- Small cheese and bean taco: 250–300 calories
- Medium: 350–400 calories
- Large (10-inch tortilla): 450–500 calories
With sour cream, additional cheese, or guacamole, the calorie is even more. Restaurant tacos are larger and contain 600–700 calories per taco.
Nutrition Breakdown
Other nutrients apart from calories are interesting:
- Protein: 10–15g (cheese and beans)
- Fat: 12–20g (amount of cheese dependent)
- Saturated Fat: 5–8g
- Carbohydrates: 30–40g (tortilla and beans)
- Fiber: 6–8g (beans as fiber for digestive use)
- Sodium: 500–800mg (refried beans and cheese are loaded with sodium)
This mix should yield bean and cheese tacos healthily but saltily and greasily when overeaten.
Are They Healthy?
The short answer is yes. If it is made properly.
The Good:
- Beans are filled with plant protein and fiber.
- Cheese is filled with flavor and calcium.
- They’re satiating, so do not overindulge afterward.
The Bad:
- Way too many calories if the serving size is enormous.
- Beans and cheese contribute too much sodium.
- Excessive cheese adds too much saturated fat. Which is harmful to the heart.
A bean and cheese taco can thus be healthy. If it is consumed in small amounts and with fresh ingredients.
Making a Healthier Bean and Cheese Taco
If you wish to consume beans and cheese tacos but you are not very hungry to consume that many calories, the following tips will help:
- Use a smaller tortilla – A 6-inch corn tortilla has fewer calories than a big flour tortilla.
- Save cheese – Take less cheese or use low-fat cheese.
- Use black beans or whole beans – Rather than consume refried beans, maybe some fat added on.
- Skip the sour cream – Replace it with salsa, pico de gallo, or hot sauce.
- Load up on vegetables – Lettuce, tomato, or peppers provide bulk to the taco with almost no calories.
These simple substitutions slash 100–200 calories per taco. It comes without sacrificing taste.
Restaurant vs Home Calories
You get to decide what goes into the ingredients at home and your taco will contain less fat. Restaurants or fast-food joints have:
- Large flour tortillas with more calories.
- Lard or oil refried beans fried in oil.
- More cheese added for extra flavor.
Example:
- Bean and cheese burrito from Taco Bell: 350–400 calories.
- Mex-Tex chain restaurant taco with cheese and beans: 500–700 calories or more. It depends on size.
Homemade ones are also healthier and can be prepared to your nutritional needs.
Why People Are Addicted to Bean and Cheese Tacos
Aside from calories, people simply cannot have enough of the bean and cheese taco since they are:
- Comfort Food – The beans and melted cheese are comfort food, and they are warm.
- Economical – Cheese and beans are inexpensive ingredients to add.
- Easy to Prepare – It takes little time to prepare it.
- Vegetarian-Friendly – Perfect for people who survive on no-meat.
- Customizable – Simple to top with spices, vegetables, or salsa.
It is pleasant for children and adults alike, so it is a hit in every home.
Dangers of Eating Too Many Bean and Cheese Tacos
As with everything, too much of a good thing is not so good:
- Weight Gain – All those carbs and calories accumulate quickly.
- High Blood Pressure – Too much salt can impact blood pressure.
- Digestive Issues – Beans are a gas if eaten in great numbers.
- Too Much Fat – Too much cheese is a cause of increased cholesterol.
It’s all right in moderation. One or two tacos per day as part of a daily meal is okay, but every day perhaps not so good.
Fun Facts About Bean and Cheese Tacos
- Bean and cheese tacos are particularly large in Texas and Mexico and usually eaten with eggs for breakfast.
- They actually refer to them as “Tex-Mex comfort food.”
- They are also priced at a minimum of $1 per taco elsewhere in local taco stands.
- They are also among the easiest to make vegetarian without sacrificing taste.
- Some even eat them as a snack if they want something between meals instead of eating a meal.
FAQs On Bean and Cheese Taco Calories
Are 2 bean and cheese tacos calorie dense?
Two are 500–800 calories based on their size.
Are bean and cheese tacos weight loss friendly?
They can be, if small and with light foods such as corn tortillas, less cheese, and raw salsa.
Are bean and cheese tacos a good source of protein?
Yes. Beans and cheese combined contain approximately 10–15g of protein per taco.
Are corn tortillas higher in calories than flour tortillas?
Yes. Large flour tortillas contain 150–200 calories. Corn tortillas contain 50–70 calories per tortilla.
Are bean and cheese tacos veggie?
Yes. They are veggie but not vegan (because of the cheese).
Bean and cheese tacos are tasty, warm, and convenient. They contain protein and fiber. They contain the guise of beans and salty, rich taste in the guise of cheese. They contain calories, and fat. It also has sodium that adds up if you consume too many.
The best part is that with minimal adjustment. Such as trimming them into small tortillas. You can add vegetables, or cutting cheese, you can still indulge. The ones made at home are best in most situations since you have control over ingredients added.
