Quesadillas are so delicious that even Napoleon Dynamite’s grandmother knew them to be a satisfactory culinary salve for the mood of an argumentative teenage boy.
In terms of its ingredients, a quesadilla is really just two things (or at least that’s all it needs to be): a corn or flour tortilla and cheese. However, you can’t really make such simplicity appear attractive when it’s placed amongst the rest of the offerings on a Chipotle menu. And so, in addition to that tortilla and cheese, Chipotle permits you to choose up to two of its eight “proteins” for inclusion inside of its quesadilla — pollo asado, chicken, carnitas, steak, barbacoa, sofritas, cheese (with guacamole) and fajita veggies (also with guacamole). Apparently on Chipotle’s menu, “fajita veggies” count as a protein.
If we select a standard protein like chicken, and toss it in with the essential ingredients of the quesadilla, how will we fare on the nutritional side?
They’re not the healthiest choice when you’re dining out. Those globs of glorious melted cheese are full fat and the fillings may be glistening from the oil they’re sautéed in. But if you make your own quesadillas, you can keep the delicious taste while you jettison most of the fat calories.
Where on earth are all of these calories coming from?
Well, we wouldn’t be ourselves if we didn’t provide you with at least a miniature breakdown of the ingredients, so you can take a look for yourself:
- Flour Tortilla: Wheat flour, water, canola oil, salt and yeast
- Monterey Jack Cheese: Cheese cultures, milk, salt and vegetable rennet
- Chicken: Black pepper, chicken, chipotle chili, cumin, distilled vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt, sunflower oil and water
Honestly, it all looks rather innocuous. Even more perplexing is the fact that the chicken only contributes 180 calories to the mixture. This means that the tortilla and cheese alone are good for 650 calories before we even speculate about what the late-additions might be contributing to the nutrient levels. Also, even with the presence of a lean meat like chicken, the quesadilla still approaches our daily ceiling for saturated fat at 18.5 grams, or 93 percent of the daily recommendation for most people. It also has more than 62 percent your daily sodium allotment, so you’ll want to be cautious about downing too many of these on a regular basis.
Please bear this in mind, too: Chipotle offers you three sides with their quesadilla, and selecting three rational sides — rice, beans and salsa, for example — will push you to the point where you’ve also downed 50 percent of the recommended caloric intake of the average man, and well past the advised point for the average woman.
Quesadillas are BAD FOR YOU! Here’s how to make them healthy.
FAQ
How healthy are quesadillas?
Is quesadilla considered junk food?
Is it OK to eat a whole quesadilla?
Which is healthier burrito or quesadilla?
What are the health benefits of a quesadilla?
These are some health benefits you can get from your quesadilla- Tortillas are made of wheat, either processed or whole grain. And, that makes them high in fiber. Fiber is really important for your gut health. It prevents constipation and softens your stool. Quesadillas are packed with macronutrients.
Can eating tortilla help with weight loss?
Tortilla can be a good option for weight loss as long as it contains whole grains. As compared to white flour, it has way less fat and calories. It is also important which foods are in the inside; you must prefer lean meats, such as poultry or fish, and use many vegetables.
Are restaurant quesadillas healthier than homemade?
As we have seen with the nutrition facts, restaurant quesadillas often have extra-large portions and can be a much larger meal than homemade quesadillas. Restaurant offerings are also less likely to include nutritious additions to your quesadilla like vegetables, lean meat, or whole grain (including corn) tortillas.
What makes a good quesadilla?
When picking out tortillas, consider look for ones that are as authentic as possible. “In my opinion, the best quesadillas are the traditional ones made with corn flour and handmade,” says McCall. Corn tortillas are considered whole grain, notes the Oldways Whole Grains Council.