Betrayed by a burrito …
Apr 14th 2007
Karen HawkinsMy Life As A Plebe
There are some places I love to eat. One of them is Chipotle. I love the food, the industrial chic cleanliness of it, the tasty organic food . . . or at least I did until last week.
Last week I discovered a website that counts fast food calories. I discovered that my favorite burrito from Chipotle has over 1,100 calories with 33 grams of fat (11 grams saturated), 126 mgs of cholesterol, and 2959 mg of sodium!
I felt betrayed. I mean . . . they wrap their burritos in recycled paper! The words “fresh” and “organic” are printed on every available surface! The restaurant looks so healthy! HOW CAN THEIR FOOD BE FATTENING?
It’s one thing for a slice of chocolate cake to be fattening. Chocolate cake is SUPPOSED to be fattening. But . . . a burrito?
The most shocking thing is that JUST THE BURRITO WRAP ALONE, completely EMPTY, has OVER 300 calories. And don’t even ask about the trans fats!
Now, I’m no longer infatuated with Chipotle and whenever I see someone wandering toward the door, I mutter under my breath, “Oh yes, walk in, my unsuspecting friend. But soon, your blood will be filled with fat and cholesterol and you’ll have to waddle out like a stuffed duck.”
What about you? Have you ever felt betrayed by a food you THOUGHT was healthy, only to find that it’s just a jump-pad to death? What food was that? Do you eat it anyway? Have you, or a loved one, ever been betrayed by a burrito?
37 Comments »
37 Responses to “Betrayed by a burrito …”
Julia London on 15 Apr 2007 at 8:47 am #
skinny cow ice cream sandwiches. SOB, I have Dr. Oz to blame, who told me that high fructose corn syrup and partially hydronated oils were the work of the devil. There I was, with my 140 calorie, 3 grams of fat ice cream sandwich, chock full of high fructose corn syrup and partially hydronated oil. I was crushed. I can hardly talk about it still. I have been left with sugar free, fat free pudding.
Sabrina Jeffries on 15 Apr 2007 at 9:02 am #
I used to get this one iced drink at the coffeehouse that I really thought wasn’t too bad. I think it was touted as sugar-free or low-carb or something. Then I saw the calorie count and it was 500 calories. For a frozen drink!!! Sheesh. And I was having one every day.
Karen Hawkins on 15 Apr 2007 at 9:02 am #
Julia, I feel for you. Looks like it would be enough to take out the calories and the fat. But to sneak in HFCS … sigh. It’s a cruel food world.
Karen Hawkins on 15 Apr 2007 at 9:07 am #
Sabrina, I was having an I.C. at Panera on a regular basis and the same thing happened - I discovered the calorie count and it wasn’t pretty. Right at 430 calories. Now, I stare longingly at the huge banner ads for them, then ask for a plain unsweetened tea. It’s torture!
Tisa E on 15 Apr 2007 at 9:16 am #
Hello Karen,
Oh, My, can I relate! One of my favorite dishes at Olive Garden has over a days’ worth of calories, and the fat content is horrendous! I know, I know, OG is not supposed to be a “diet” restaurant, but over a days’ worth of calories?
Since re-joining Weight Watchers I am discovering the “hidden” information about my favorite meals and restaurants. As a retired chef, I still love to cook and am trying new recipes all the time. I have discover some marvelous and very tasty wraps available in the grocery stores these days; veggie ones, whole wheat, multi-grain, sun dried tomatoe and herb, etc. they make fabulous burritoes that my family doesn’t recognize as “diet food” so I am learning to re-design my burritos, quesadillas and the like.
It is still a very big disappointment to discover the true caloric content of our favorite dishes, isn’t it?
FWIW…
Tisa
DebMarlowe on 15 Apr 2007 at 9:32 am #
I remember taking my kids to the golden arches as a treat–back in the pre-salad and water healthy choice days–and choosing the fish sandwich as a better alternative. Then finding out the fish had more fat and calories than the quarter pound burger! Ugh.
Deb
Judy F on 15 Apr 2007 at 10:06 am #
Its sad isn’t it. I used to treat myself every once in a while to a mini cinibon at the mall. I don’t remember the calorie count but I think it was in or over 800. I stopped getting them. But man the smell just wants me to have one.
Kelly Ann on 15 Apr 2007 at 10:22 am #
All I have to do is smell food and the calories cling to my hips or thighs! So, on special occasions I don’t just smell those fab foods, I eat them. Our country is so unhealthy that no matter what we eat when we go out it’s probably going to be bad.
I try to cook healthy @ home, but if I’m going out to eat, I’m NOT going to eat a piece of grilled chicken breast and some asparagus, when I can make that @ home. Nope, I’m going to order something that looks good and tastes good and I’m going to love it!!! Maybe I’ll even share desert with my family!
Then, the next day I’m going to walk an extra mile or run up and down the 4 flights of stairs @ work 2 or 3 extra times. I also think the sodas are really my down fall. If I don’t drink diet or those crystal lights I won’t loose any weight. Can’t they make diet mountain dew taste better?
Julia London on 15 Apr 2007 at 10:38 am #
Deb, my sister and I had a huge argument about twenty years ago about the burger king burger and fish sandwich. She is petite and very thin. I am not petite and not very thin. She swore the burger was better in terms of calories and fat. I swore the fish was. We all know who won, LOL.
Tisa, we have Buca di Beppo here — you know, family style Italian? But there is usually only two of us! After one visit, where neither of us exhibited even a HINT of self control, I told the old man it was off limits. He stomped his feet and said he was living in hell with me and my insistence we eat healthy. Hey, its 20 years later — I’ve learned a thing or two
Maggie Robinson on 15 Apr 2007 at 11:35 am #
This reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where they kept eating the calorie-laden frozen yogurt. I went to Burger King the other day and saw the sign “nutritional values upon request.” No thanks. I want to be fat and ignorant.
KMB25 on 15 Apr 2007 at 11:41 am #
mmmm…for me it’s the Cinna-chip scones at the Starbucks and Ice Venti Chi Lattes (and no, I never get skim milk….eeeewwww). The scones have the highest fat and calorie content than even the blueberry scone. Sad, isn’t it?….I love those things! I have to say though, it really hasn’t stopped me from getting them….I’m trying to be more active anyways, so I’ll burn those calories off!! That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!!!!
~Kim
Teresa Medeiros on 15 Apr 2007 at 12:15 pm #
I just love those new Subway commercials where they have people pulling up at the drive-thru window to order love handles and thunder thighs. It really makes ya think!
ladydawgfan on 15 Apr 2007 at 12:36 pm #
Ooh, I love those Subway commercials, too, Teresa!! “I’ll have an order of Thunder Thighs and some Badonkadonk Butt!!” Super creative and effective!!! But then, I’ve always liked my subs with more veggies than meat anyway . . .
ladydawgfan on 15 Apr 2007 at 12:43 pm #
BTW, Karen, RE your burrito, I don’t know the restaurant that you are referring to, but is it possible to get a half-sized order of your favorite or perhaps have it wrapped in a tortilla that you supply (and I HIGHLY recommend the sun-dried tomato ones that Tisa talked about!)? If it isn’t a chain, or if it is even a smaller one, sometimes they will work with you, especially if you explain the conflict between dietary restrictions and your taste buds. If nothing else, have them cut your fave burrito in half and save the other half for another lunch the next day, or share with your DH or a friend. Or just indulge once in a while as a treat and then spend the rest of the afternoon on your bicycle taking in the fabulous Florida weather!!
lisapbailey on 15 Apr 2007 at 2:06 pm #
I just saw them building a Chipotle down the street from where I work. I love Mexican food and was looking forward to trying it out. Maybe not, now.
You know how they have premade salad in a bag? The Caesar salad kit has more fat and calories than a bag of Cheetos. I was treating myself to a bag of that salad several years ago everytime I made a grocery store run until I found out about the hidden evil inside the bad. Salad, for Pete’s sake—I’d rather have the Cheetos and a Diet Coke.
gannon on 15 Apr 2007 at 2:11 pm #
Julia, my whole family loves the Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches! It sucks when you think you’re eating something “healthier” only to find out it’s loaded with high fructose corn syrup. No fair! Unfortunately, there seems to be HFC in almost everything. Whatever happened to plain ol’ sugar? Even though it’s not great for you either, it doesn’t do the same damage to your metabolism that HFC does. Frickin’ food manufacturers!
Oh well, I try to eat healthy most of the time, but every once in awhile I just treat myself and really enjoy it! Just have to work out a little harder the next day. As the saying goes:
Life’s journey is not to arrive safely at the grave in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, glass of champagne in hand, totally worn out shouting, “Holy sh*t…What a Ride!”
julia london on 15 Apr 2007 at 2:46 pm #
That’s true, gannon — unless its produce or fresh chicken breast, it seems to have that HFC in it. Its almost impossible to eat 100% healthy, unless you’re a monk on an organic food farm.
dbrown3400 on 15 Apr 2007 at 3:41 pm #
My solution has always been the combination of celery and Haagen Dazs Pecan Praline ice cream. Everyone knows that you burn more calories than celery has when you chew it, right? So that eats up the calories in the ice cream? Of course, I would need to eat celery for months to negate the ice cream. Guess I’m lucky that the only place we can get that flavor is in a Haagen Dazs store in a mall about fifteen miles away. . We do have eight or so wonderful non-fast food restaurants within walking distance of my apartment. hmm
I fight the same battles everyone does. 3500 calories make up a pound whether going in or burning off I’m told. It’s relatively lately we’ve learned those letters representing things good or bad for our health. Sometimes I just forget the alphabet.
Donna
Karen Hawkins on 15 Apr 2007 at 3:43 pm #
Tisa, that’s awesome. Since you’re a chef (man, bet your family loves THAT!), can you give us a taste-busting, calorie-shy recipe for burritos? I’d love to have one!
Deb, comedian Jack Black does a drive-thru routine where he orders the fist sandwich because he’s on a diet. Of course, he also orders one of everything else, so he’s negating his ‘I’m on a diet’ the whole time. It’s amazing where they hide those calories, isn’t it?
Judy, thanks for mentioning ‘cinibon.’ I just gained two pounds. But man oh man, aren’t those DELICIOUS? *drool*
Kelly Ann, it’s so hard to diet when you’re out. But check out a restaurant called Seasons 52 and see if there’s one near you. Every meal has under 450 calories, and they’re INCREDIBLE.
Maggie! You HAVE to face the caloric facts! Come to the light! Honestly, knowing what’s less fattening has helped me try some pretty tasty things. For example, Chic-fil-a is only 450 calories for nuggets AND fries! That’s do-able!
Karen Hawkins on 15 Apr 2007 at 3:51 pm #
KMB, I admire your ability to do more exercise after induging. I always SAY I’m going to, but I then I DON’T. Bad Karen! Btw, there are some drinks at Starbucks that aren’t bad. Just gotta keep trying until you get the right combination. They have a LOT of choices!
Teresa, I’ve seen those commericals and yes, that’s me at Chipotle. *sigh* I miss my burritos.
ladydawg, well, the chain does offer a bowl option, where you can get the fillings on lettuce. And if I cut out the cheese and the rice, that’d make it do-able. Their rice is VERY high in fat. You know, maybe I should give one of those a shot. I was just shocked that a burrito could be so bad for you!
lisab, we’ll BOTH try the wrap-less burriot at Chipotle. Seriously, they are a great chain. Just a little high on the calories.
gannon, I love that saying. It’s just that when I slide into home plate, I don’t want it to take twenty minutes for my badonkadonk thighs to catch up.
gannon on 15 Apr 2007 at 4:00 pm #
LOL, Karen! I know what you mean about the badonkadonk thighs and butt! I swear ever since I hit 40, it takes twice as much exercise to get in shape…and half the calories to gain weight! *sigh*
KMB25 on 15 Apr 2007 at 5:32 pm #
Karen—hehe…now I think the key word on exercise is “trying”….that doesn’t always mean I get it done…but, well, I DO park further away and walk to places…does that count?
No, seriously, lately I’ve been bogged down with too many gigs, but my hubby and I are on a plan to get up early (ughhh…) and start walking/running/lifting weights in the mornings before we start our day. (It may take awhile to kick it into gear, but at least we have a plan!)
I just got done playing a week-long show of “Guys and Dolls”…everyone kept bringing candy and cookies and stuff to eat during breaks to show us their appreciation…I was afraid I’d gain 10 lbs just looking at that stuff, so I brought carrots and dip the last three nights!! (I think I should get points for at least TRYING to be healthy!)
~Kim
gannon on 15 Apr 2007 at 5:37 pm #
Kudos to you Kim for showing such self-restraint! Carrots and dip vs. cookies and candy…although I like carrots and dip, if there was chocolate there, especially rich and dark, I probably would have caved!
KMB25 on 15 Apr 2007 at 6:00 pm #
Oh there was chocolate lots and lots and lots of it!…and one of the cast memebers brought chocolate-covered strawberries last night…it was the hardest thing to turn down, but I did it!!! (although I did have two little nestle crunch bits today..so I wasn’t perfect!)
~Kim
Brandy on 15 Apr 2007 at 6:52 pm #
I try to eat healthy but even I admit that I splurge every now and then. But, I do exercise regulary, so that counts for something, right?
And a feeling of betrayal? I love the chicken ranch salad from JitB and turns out it’s WAY higher in fat than I thought.
Judy on 15 Apr 2007 at 10:59 pm #
Call me dumb, but I really don’t care how much calories I consume….yes I live dangerously, I never here the end of it with my mother, but I figure, everything in this world is pretty much bad for you, if I have to die, at least I die happy….with some chicken nuggets in my mouth
TheNightPoet on 15 Apr 2007 at 11:08 pm #
I don’t worry too much about calories, actually I don’t worry about them at all. I love Chipotle and all those other great food places that are probably bad for me. I have a high metabolism, so maybe later on in life I’ll have to watch what I eat more than I do now. Who knows?
Cathie on 16 Apr 2007 at 1:42 am #
Hi, this is my first time visiting and thrilled to be here!
Not long after I was married, I was working on trying to lose weight so I was eating salads for lunch. I finally then went to Weight Watchers, and they said my salad dressing, and most salad dressings, were the worse to have than having a slice of pizza. So I had suffered with those salads day after day for nothing! Yeah now they have alot more low calorie and no fat dressing so its not so bad, but it took me a while to eat toss salads again!
I don’t like tacos or burritos LOL. I take it apart and eat it separtely if I do
I know, I’m weird.
Karen Hawkins on 16 Apr 2007 at 8:52 am #
Judy, you made me laugh with your ‘die with chicken nuggets in my mouth’ statement! By all means, be happy! For me, if I don’t eat well, I don’t FEEL well and I’m not happy if I get chunky. Wish I had your happy-go-lucky attitude!
NightPoet, you have a high metabolism. *sigh* If only I did … I used to. I really did. Now, not so much. Enjoy it, m’dear! Eat a burrito for me!
Cathie, welcome! And oh yes, salad dressings are sooo bad. I found a no calorie/no fat dressing that I LOVE and I use it all of the time. Of course, I also put a lot of THINGS on my salads, which probably aren’t good for me either, but hey, it’s one thing at a time, right?
Nicole Jordan on 16 Apr 2007 at 9:12 am #
I can’t begin to list all the foods I’ve been disappointed in! Oreos are probably the biggest betrayer. I mean, I know they’re not good for me, but I never realized they were practically lethal, hardening my arteries with every delicious bite.
And the Wendy’s Oriental Chicken salad…. I never used much of their dressing cause it has like 300 fat calories all by itself… now I use my own lo-cal lo-fat dressings. But I sure miss it.
And don’t get me started on McDonalds. I used to eat a Quarter Pounder with Cheese about every other day, but then made myself stop and switched to the Fish… then to find out it’s just as bad if not worse….
Very very sad.
NicoleJ
TheNightPoet on 16 Apr 2007 at 11:01 am #
Karen, next time I go to Chipotle, I’ll be sure to eat the burrito for you.
Andrea
Karen Hawkins on 16 Apr 2007 at 11:28 am #
Andrea, that’s cold. Just cold. I’m changing your goddess name to Andr-evil-a.
tee hee!
Cathie on 16 Apr 2007 at 7:35 pm #
Hi Karen!!! Hi Nicole, everyone!! So good to be a part of you all here. Glad I found it here
Yeah, I know, I love adding all those green olives, cheese, croutons, and all those goodies to the salad thats not helping either.
TheNightPoet on 17 Apr 2007 at 2:25 pm #
LOL Karen! I really didn’t mean that to be mean. lol But alright, I’ll let you change my goddess name to Andre-evil-a. lol That’s a new nickname for me! haha Will you ever forgive me?
Andrea
JulieLeto on 17 Apr 2007 at 3:05 pm #
Karen…you do know that Chipolte makes a burrito SALAD, right? No tortilla and lots of lettuce. Dont’ tell me if it’s not healthy. Chipolte is my FAVORITE, but then we always did share similar food tastes…ah, remember the chocolate chimichanga???
Karen Hawkins on 17 Apr 2007 at 3:12 pm #
AnDr-Evil-a, you KNOW you were being evil. And enjoying it, too! Which is why you’re a goddess, too. I love snarky humor. It’s my favorite kind!
And Julie! How are you, girlfriend? Oh, yessss, I remember chocolate chimichangas …. yummmmmmmmmm! I knew that Chipotle had salads, but I thought I didn’t have to eat them as surely, but SURELY, their burrito was a safe bet. I’ll have to look them up. They’re probably fine as most of the fat in the burrito came in the wrap and the rice. *sigh*
TheNightPoet on 18 Apr 2007 at 11:07 am #
haha Alright, alright, maybe I was being a little bit evil, but I will try to behave myself from now on. Or will I? Muhahahahahaha
Andrea