Savvy consumers should know what they're getting into before they go out to eat at a new restaurant. Restaurant nutrition varies from one place to the next, and some restaurants provide healthier options than others. Though the Chipotle Restaurant chain may seem like your regular burrito and taco joint, this company has big ideas when it comes to serving nutritious and environmentally friendly food.
About Chipotle
The Chipotle Restaurant specializes in made-to-order burritos and tacos. After opening the first Chipotle Restaurant in Denver, Colorado, in 1993, founder Steve Ells began to learn about the practices used to produce and process food in the United States. After learning how food production negatively impacts the environment as well as about the unsavory practices often used in the rearing of livestock, Ells set out to find a better alternative. The company's slogan, "Food with Integrity," reflects the goals Ells set for the company, which include using locally grown and environmentally friendly ingredients, and naturally raised, hormone-free meats.
Meat
Chipotle uses 100 percent naturally raised pork. This means that pigs remain antibiotic-free and consume a vegetarian diet. Similarly, all chicken products used in Chipotle restaurants are free of growth hormones and antibiotics, and are from chickens fed feed free of additional additives, such as arsenic. As of 2010, 85 percent of all beef products served at Chipotle came from ranches that meet Chipotle's naturally raised and organic standards.
Produce and Dairy
As often as possible, Chipotle restaurants uses family-farmed organic produce from local growers. While all Chipotle ingredients are not 100 percent organic, the restaurant chooses the best possible products available in particular markets while keeping in mind the company's "Food with Integrity" motto. In some cases, farmers may use organic and sustainable practices without being officially certified organic.
As of 2010, 40 percent of all beans served at Chipotle were certified organic, and none of Chipotle's dairy products came from cows treated with recombinant bovine growth hormone.
More Nutritional Information
Chipotle's menu items contain no trans fats, and most menu items also contain little to no saturated fat. Chips and the vinaigrette dressing stand out as the fattiest items on the menu, with over 20 total fat grams per serving. Sour cream and guacamole each add another 10 to 13 fat grams to a meal. All beans, vegetables and salsas contain less than 2 fat grams per serving, and the unprocessed flour tortillas used in the burritos pack only 290 calories and 9 fat grams per tortilla. The meat products average around 6.5 to 8 fat grams and just under 200 calories per serving.
Allergen Information
Chipotle uses no peanuts, tree nuts or other nuts in its food. Only Chipotle's sour cream and cheese products contain any dairy. Those with a gluten intolerance should avoid the flour tortillas and red tomatillo salsa, which contains a small amount of distilled vinegar. All other menu items, including the corn chips and corn tacos, remain safe for those with gluten allergies. If you have a question about the ingredients in a menu selection, speak to a food preparer.
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