Those that contain high fat meats like sausage or bacon will naturally be higher in calories and fat ( 36). Breakfast tacosīreakfast tacos are a fun way to consume classic breakfast foods, like eggs, sausage, and potatoes, wrapped up in a flour or corn tortilla. Nevertheless, some types of street tacos, like carnitas and chorizo, may be higher in fat compared with other types of tacos due to the lard or oil used to prepare the meat. Plus, since they’re served on small soft corn tortillas and typically without many condiments, they may not be too high in calories per taco. Not only are they delicious, street tacos also offer some of the most authentic taco experiences. de Camarón: seasoned shrimp that is pan-seared.Chorizo: Mexican-style ground pork sausage.Carnitas: seasoned pork slow-cooked with oil or lard.Carne asada: grilled beef marinated with citrus juice and other spices.Barbaco: seasoned and slow-roasted beef, lamb, or goat.Al pastor: rotisserie-style pork marinated with chilies and pineapple.Some of the most popular types of street tacos are: These traditional-style tacos from Mexico have also become popular around the world ( 35). Street tacos are small tacos usually served on corn tortillas and topped with onion, cilantro, lime juice, and salsa.

Keep in mind that even when you’re using vegetables and other plant-based ingredients in your tacos, the way you cook them still has a significant effect on their final nutrition content.įor example, tacos with refried beans or fried guacamole, tofu, or potatoes will likely pack more calories and fat than veggie-based ingredients that aren’t fried.

Some veggies people commonly use in tacos are:

What’s more, using plant-based proteins instead of processed red meat could also be good for heart health and help lower your risk of some chronic diseases ( 32, 33, 34). One reason why veggie tacos are a great, flexible meal choice is that the possible combinations of ingredients are limitless. They’re often lower in fat than red meats as well ( 22, 23).ĭepending on the veggies they contain, it’s likely they’ll also be lower in protein than tacos that contain meat or seafood. Grass-fed beef in particular is rich in healthy fats and other nutrients, including ( 19, 20, 21):Ĭhicken tacos are some of the highest in protein. Thus, ground beef and other red meats might still have a place in a healthy diet when you consume them in moderation. To date, research has not shown a direct cause-and-effect relationship between eating red meat and chronic disease. It’s important to note that studies have also had mixed results depending on the type of meat people ate, among other factors. Nevertheless, the majority of studies that support these findings have been observational in nature. On the other hand, some studies have found that consuming red meat like beef - particularly processed beef - is linked to an increased risk of some chronic diseases ( 15, 16, 17, 18). One perk of beef is that it’s a rich source of healthy micronutrients, including zinc, iron, selenium, and vitamins B6 and B12 ( 10, 11, 12, 13, 14). Some fruits also make tasty and nutritious taco toppings:Īdding vegetables and fruits to tacos is an easy way to amp up the nutrients in the meal.

What’s more, studies have linked consuming plant-based diets rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains with a lower risk of several major chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes ( 2, 3, 4).Ī few of the most popular veggie toppings for tacos are:

beneficial plant compounds, such as polyphenols and antioxidants.

Nutrient-dense veggies like these are also one of the main reasons why tacos can be nutritious and part of a healthy diet.įruits and veggies are packed with healthy nutrients, including ( 1): Toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and onions are a staple on tacos. Veggies and fruits make tacos nutrient dense

Pastor meat calories