Chipotle's menu is based on Food With Integrity, which is a philosophy that means always doing better in terms of the food Chipotle buys. This means Chipotle strives to better every part of its food system, including how the food tastes, where it comes from, how the farmers are treated all the way down to how the animals are treated. This philosophy results in sustainable, unprocessed food on the menu. Better ingredients mean better choices for your customized meal.
Features
Chipotle features a customizable menu in which you select the entree and the toppings while it is made in front of you. This flexibility means you control the nutrient profile of your meal. You can choose from a burrito, burrito bowl, fajita burrito, crispy tacos, soft tacos or salad. Chips and guacamole are available as a side. Toppings include cilantro-lime rice, pinto or black beans, sauteed peppers and onions, chicken or beef, romaine lettuce, guacamole, salsa, sour cream and cheese.
Benefits
Customization of your order influences your meal's nutritional content. For example, with a vegetarian fajita burrito with lettuce, you can increase your vegetable consumption. You might choose a meat burrito with beans for a protein-packed meal.
Chipotle's beans and meat choices provide nutrients such as protein and iron, which are body building blocks and are involved in oxygen transport, respectively. Cheese also contains protein and some calcium, which contributes to bone health. The vegetables on the menu contain vitamins such as vitamin C, important for wound healing.
Limitations
Without a standardized menu, orders can vary, which means if you forget to ask for something, you miss out on the nutrients it provides. In addition, adding more toppings increases the calorie content. You can create a burrito with more than 1,000 calories by selecting all the available toppings. Ordering chips and guacamole adds another 700 calories to your meal.
Effects
Although enjoyable because of the countless combinations, customers selecting combinations high in calories, fat and sodium increase their risk of obesity and other chronic diseases. Alternatively, with the flexibility to create your own combination, customers can choose options high in nutrients yet low in calories, fat and sodium. These choices contribute to a healthy weight.
Considerations
To lower calories and fat, skip extras such as cheese and sour cream. Avoid the crispy tacos, and opt for the soft tacos to lower calories and saturated fat. Skip the tortilla and order a burrito bowl to save even more calories. When choosing burritos and fajitas, pile on the vegetables. Even though not described as an option for a burrito, ask for lettuce on it; the restaurants usually allow this addition. Ordering a salad is another way to increase the vegetables in your order.
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