6 Tips to Lose Weight at Chipotle

Welcome to the Chipotle matrix, can I take your order? Or so we think the nice folks at the popular chain should say. Because when it comes to ordering healthily at Chipotle, things can go from slim to stretchy-pants faster than you can say Olé!

You see, according to spokesman Chris Arnold, the four main items and 18 optional ingredients on the menu can be combined in more than 60,000 ways! Don’t let the room for error scare you. With these 6 healthy menu hacks you can order your Chipotle with confidence, and lose weight!

1. Know the Cilantro Secret

It’s a little known menu hack that you can request fresh chopped cilantro on your meal, free of charge! Cilantro contains a unique blend of oils (specifically, linalool and geranyl acetate) that work like over-the-counter meds to relax digestive muscles and alleviate an “overactive” gut. It’s kind of like tasty Pepto Bismol—the perfect antidote for any post-Mex fest tummy troubles! A study published in the journal Digestive Diseases and Science found that patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) benefited from taking a coriander (cilantro) supplement for eight weeks as opposed to placebo. Herbalicious!

2. Stick with Sides

We’re not carbo-phobes here but this Atkins-esque tip is too good not to share: Order sides of meat and guac, for just $2.25 per side! A side of chicken and guacamole, for example, would cost you just $5 and 360 calories (a serving of rice would add about 185 calories to your bowl).

In addition to 35 grams of muscle-building protein, you’ll get a healthy 19 grams of monounsaturated fats from the avocado—proven to keep you feeling fuller for longer. A study published in Nutrition Journal found that participants who ate half a fresh avocado with lunch reported a 40% decreased desire to eat for hours afterwards. Avoca-don’t mind if I do!

3. Get Shells & Guac

Every calorie-counter from here to Timbuktu is going to tell you to “skip the chips.” And you should. They’re oily, salty and too delicious not to gobble down in a hurry. But that’s boring! And we want a fiesta! Order a side of three crispy taco shells instead of the chips (yours free if you also order a burrito bowl or salad), and you can satisfy your chips & guac craving, and slash 360 calories and nearly 20 grams of saturated fat from your order! Party on. Olé!

4. Un-Pork Your Protein

Adding protein to your meals is one of the best moves you can make if you’re watching your weight. Not only does the macronutrient require your body to expend a lot of calories in digestion—about 25 calories for every 100 calories you eat (compared with only 10 to 15 calories for fats and carbs)—a study printed in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a high-protein meal increases satiety by suppressing the hunger-stimulating hormone ghrelin. Responsibly-raised and antibiotic-free, it’s hard to go wrong with your protein choice at Chipotle. Just avoid the carnitas (shredded pork). At 13 grams of fat per 4 ounce serving, it’s the fattiest on the menu. Surprisingly, your lowest-calorie option isn’t chicken!

EAT THIS!

Barbacoa (Shredded Beef) 4 oz.
165 calories, 7g fat, 530mg sodium, 2g carbs, 1g fiber, 0g sugars, 24g protein

Chicken 4 oz.
180 calories, 7g fat, 310mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0.5g fiber, 0g sugars, 32g protein

Steak 4 oz.
190 calories, 6.5g fat, 320mg sodium, 2g carbs, 0g fiber, 1g sugars, 30g protein

Sofritas (Tofu) 4 oz.
145 calories, 10g fat, 555mg sodium, 9g carbs, 3.5g fiber, 4.5g sugars, 8g protein


NOT THAT!

Carnitas (Shredded Pork) 4 oz.
220 calories, 13g fat, 500mg sodium, 0.5g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars, 26g protein

5. Make it Hot!

Avoid the bloaty dairy toppings and give your metabolism a boost with a generous hit of red tomatillo salsa (the spiciest on the menu). At just 25 calories, the salsa is rich in vitamin A (just one serving provides 20% of your recommended daily value!) and capsaicin, a compound proven to reduce belly fat, suppress appetite and boost thermogenesis—the body’s ability to burn food as energy. A study by Canadian researchers found that men who ate spicy appetizers consumed 200 fewer calories at later meals than those that did not. If you can handle the heat, consider adding fresh jalapenos to your order—for free!

6. Veggies A Go-Go

A serving of veggies has only 20 calories and half a gram of fat. Moreover, there's no extra cost for fajita veggies when you order a protein! Heck, be greedy and get two servings of the delicious peppers and onions. Not only will you fill up faster, you’ll also meet 60% of your daily Vitamin C value.
Now that you know this, still limit your eating out to once a week.

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