Maintaining a balanced diet on Weight Watchers doesn’t mean giving up fast food entirely. In fact, it’s possible to enjoy popular chains like Taco Bell while staying within your Weight Watchers points budget. The key is knowing how to make smart menu choices, how to customize your order, and how to plan ahead. In this article, we’ll show you exactly how to eat at Taco Bell without compromising your weight-loss goals.
Taco Bell offers a variety of low-point and customizable options that work well with the Weight Watchers program. By making simple modifications, such as opting for fresco-style or skipping high-fat toppings, you can enjoy your meal without exceeding your daily points allowance. For a more detailed breakdown of points for specific menu items, check out this Weight Watchers Points Guide for Taco Bell.
Understanding the Weight Watchers Points System at Taco Bell
The Weight Watchers Points system helps you track your food intake based on calories, fat, protein, and fiber. Higher-protein, lower-fat foods tend to have fewer points. At Taco Bell, many menu items can be modified to fit within your daily points budget by swapping out high-calorie ingredients for healthier alternatives.
One of the easiest ways to reduce the points in your meal is by asking for your items to be made fresco-style. This swap replaces ingredients like cheese, sour cream, and sauces with fresh diced tomatoes, instantly reducing the fat content and, therefore, the points. This option works well with many menu items, including tacos, burritos, and bowls, allowing you to enjoy the flavors of Taco Bell without the guilt.
Points-Friendly Menu Items at Taco Bell
While many fast-food options can be high in Weight Watchers points, Taco Bell offers a variety of lower-point items that are both satisfying and delicious. Here are some of the best options to consider:
- Fresco Soft Chicken Taco: 4 points
This is one of the healthiest options on the menu. By ordering it fresco-style, you eliminate cheese and sour cream, reducing fat and calories. - Black Beans and Rice: 3 points
A great side dish packed with fiber and protein. Black beans are also zero points on Weight Watchers, making this an excellent choice. - Power Menu Bowl (Chicken, no sour cream, no cheese): 6-8 points
This hearty bowl provides a good balance of lean protein, vegetables, and rice. By removing the sour cream and cheese, you keep it low in points. - Bean Burrito (Fresco Style): 7 points
This vegetarian option becomes lighter and healthier when you order it fresco-style, making it a filling yet point-friendly meal.
For more information on how to make the best choices, visit this Weight Watchers Points Guide for Taco Bell.
How to Customize Your Taco Bell Order for Lower Points
One of the biggest advantages of eating at Taco Bell on Weight Watchers is the ability to customize your order. By making a few small changes, you can significantly lower the points in your meal while still enjoying the flavors you love.
- Ask for Fresco Style: This simple customization removes cheese, sour cream, and sauces, replacing them with fresh tomatoes. This can drastically reduce the points in your meal while keeping it tasty.
- Go Easy on High-Point Extras: Skip or go light on items like cheese, sour cream, and guacamole, which add extra points. Instead, bulk up your order with zero-point vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.
- Swap Seasoned Rice for Black Beans: Rice can add unnecessary points to your meal, while black beans are a more nutritious, fiber-rich alternative. Plus, black beans are often zero points on Weight Watchers.
Smart Sides and Sauces for Lower Points
Sides and sauces can quickly increase the points in your meal, but by making the right choices, you can keep your meal healthy and low in points. Here are some smart sides and sauces to consider:
- Black Beans – 0 points: A nutritious and filling side, black beans are high in fiber and protein while being zero points.
- Guacamole – 2 points: Although guacamole contains healthy fats, it can still add points to your meal. Keep portions small or skip it altogether if you want to save points.
- Salsa – 0 points: A flavorful topping that adds zest to your meal without adding any points. Salsa is a great alternative to higher-point sauces like nacho cheese.
Best Drinks to Pair with Your Taco Bell Meal
Choosing the right drink to go along with your Taco Bell meal is crucial to keeping your Weight Watchers points low. Many fast-food beverages can contain hidden calories and sugars that quickly add up in points, so it’s important to make smart choices. Here are some of the best drinks to enjoy with your meal while staying within your points budget:
1. Water
Water is always the best option when trying to stay within your points. It hydrates you without adding any calories, sugar, or points. Plus, it pairs well with any meal, making it a refreshing and guilt-free choice.
2. Unsweetened Iced Tea
If you prefer something with flavor, unsweetened iced tea is another zero-point option. It provides a bit more taste than water but still doesn’t add any extra points or calories. Make sure to avoid sweetened varieties, which can be loaded with sugar and rack up points quickly.
3. Diet Soda
For those who enjoy soda, diet sodas are a good alternative to regular soft drinks. They contain zero calories and no points, allowing you to enjoy a fizzy drink without worrying about your points budget. However, it’s best to consume diet soda in moderation due to artificial sweeteners.
4. Sparkling Water
Sparkling water is a great option for adding some bubbles to your meal without extra points. Brands like LaCroix and Perrier offer flavored varieties that are still calorie- and sugar-free, giving you a refreshing drink with a little more excitement than plain water.
5. Black Coffee
If you’re grabbing breakfast at Taco Bell or just enjoy a hot drink, black coffee is another zero-point option. Just be mindful to skip the sugar and high-calorie creamers to keep your coffee zero points. If you need a bit of sweetness, try adding a splash of unsweetened almond milk or a low-calorie sweetener.
Drinks to Avoid
- Sugary Soft Drinks: Regular sodas like Coca-Cola or Mountain Dew Baja Blast are high in sugar and calories, which means they can add several points to your meal.
- Sweetened Teas and Lemonades: These drinks might seem light, but they often contain added sugars that increase their point value.
- Milkshakes and Specialty Beverages: Taco Bell’s milkshakes and frozen drinks are packed with sugar and fat, making them high in points.
How to Fit Taco Bell into Your Weight Watchers Plan
Eating at Taco Bell on Weight Watchers is completely doable with a little planning. Here are some tips to help you stay within your points budget:
- Plan Ahead: If you know you’ll be eating at Taco Bell, adjust your meals earlier in the day to save points. Choose low-point options like fruit, vegetables, and lean protein earlier in the day so you can enjoy your Taco Bell meal without going over your daily limit.
- Track Your Points Using the Weight Watchers App: The Weight Watchers app allows you to look up the points for different menu items before you order. This can help you make an informed decision and avoid any surprises.
- Portion Control: If the portion sizes at Taco Bell are too large, consider splitting your meal into two servings. This helps you avoid overeating while still enjoying your food.
Healthy Taco Bell Alternatives to Try at Home
If you love Taco Bell but want to have more control over the ingredients and points, consider making your own Taco Bell-inspired dishes at home. This allows you to use Weight Watchers-friendly ingredients and control the portion sizes, making it easier to stay within your points budget.
- Sloppy Joe Crunch Wrap – 7 points: This homemade version of the popular crunch wrap is lower in points but still full of flavor. Try this Sloppy Joe Crunch Wrap Recipe.
- Cheesy Turkey Quesadilla-Burrito – 9 points: A fun combination of a quesadilla and burrito, this dish is satisfying and low in points. By using lean turkey and low-fat cheese, you can keep it within your points budget.
Making your own versions of Taco Bell favorites at home allows you to enjoy the flavors you love while staying on track with Weight Watchers.
FAQs About Eating Taco Bell on Weight Watchers
What is the healthiest option at Taco Bell on Weight Watchers?
The Fresco Soft Chicken Taco is one of the healthiest options, with only 4 points. It’s low in fat and calories but still provides plenty of flavor.
Can you eat Taco Bell and still lose weight on Weight Watchers?
Yes! By making smart choices, customizing your order, and tracking your points, you can enjoy Taco Bell while still staying within your daily points budget.
What’s the lowest-point item at Taco Bell?
The Black Beans (0 points) and Fresco Soft Chicken Taco (4 points) are two of the lowest-point options on the menu.
How does the “fresco” option help reduce points?
The fresco option replaces high-calorie toppings like cheese and sour cream with fresh diced tomatoes, reducing the fat content and lowering the points.
Are there vegetarian options at Taco Bell that fit into Weight Watchers?
Yes! The Fresco Bean Burrito (7 points) and Black Beans and Rice (3 points) are great vegetarian options that are also low in points.
Conclusion: Enjoying Taco Bell on Weight Watchers
You don’t have to give up fast food just because you’re on Weight Watchers. By making smart menu choices, customizing your order, and planning ahead, you can enjoy your favorite Taco Bell meals without compromising your weight-loss goals. Always remember to balance your points throughout the day, use the fresco option, and check your points using the Weight Watchers app before you order.