If you’re going with a macro diet, that means you’re generally more focused on the amounts of protein, fats, and carbs rather than just on calories. Sure, there’s still a calorie intake limit. But for the most part, you’re focused on protein. That’s why the macro diet is so popular with muscle-builders and athletes. For those on a macro diet, Chipotle is actually a pretty good fast-food place to visit, compared to other fast-food joints. You just need to make sure you pick the right menu item to order.

Start with a High Protein Ingredient

You’ll need plenty of protein when you’re planning on getting stronger, or even when you’re just planning to lose weight. Here are your options, with nutrient contents per 4-ounce serving:

• Steak. You get 190 calories, 6.5g fat, 320mg sodium, and 30g protein, along with 2g carbs, zero fiber, and 1g sugar. This is one of the meats with the highest protein content.
• Chicken. You get 180 calories, 7g fat, 310mg sodium, and 32g protein. This is the #1 option for protein. It also has zero carbs and sugars, but with just half a gram of fiber.
• Carnitas. This is regarded by many as the tastiest meat in the lineup. You get 220 calories, 13g fat, 500mg sodium, and 26g protein. It doesn’t have fibers and sugars, and only half a gram of carbs. As you may have noticed, the fat and sodium content are quite a but higher compared to chicken and steak.
• Barbacoa. This barbacoa is seasoned beef that’s been marinated overnight, and then hand-shredded. It has 165 calories, 7g fat, 530mg sodium, and 24g protein, with 2g carbs, 1g fiber, and no sugars. This doesn’t have as many calories as chicken and steak, but instead you get more sodium. You get less protein, too, although it’s the same protein amount as with the carnitas.
• Sofritas. Pick this only if you’re a vegetarian as well. This particular ingredient can give you 145 calories, 10g fat, 555mg sodium, 9g carbs, 3.5g fiber, 4.5g sugars, and 8g protein. Yes, it does contain fewer calories, and at least you get more protein than many vegetarian ingredients out there. But you have to consider the higher sodium, carb, and fat content.

Fats

Among the Chipotle ingredients, these options can get you the fats you need for your diet.

• Guacamole. This should be the first on your list. After all, it’s just tasty and you just pay $2.26 for guac. The flavor you get is terrific, with the ripe avocados combining with fresh tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, onions, and lime juice. But it’s also packed with healthy fats and even some vitamin E. But you can’t go overboard with this since the fats can get too much, so just get a side dish.
• Cheese. This is Monterey Jack with shredded white cheddar. Be careful with this, since a single ounce comes with 100 calories, 180mg of sodium, 8.5g of fat, and 5g of saturated fat.
• Sour cream. You don’t want to order this too often, and when you do you should really limit yourself. A 2-ounce amount comes with 120 calories and 10g of fat—7g of it as saturated fat.

Salsa

• Green tomatillo salsa. Just go with this one, as you cut down 65 calories, 180mg of sodium, 12g of carbs, and 2g of sugar. Compared to tomato salsa, this has 240mg fewer sodium. It has 280mg fewer sodium than red tomatillo salsa.
• Fresh tomato salsa. If you’re worried about sodium content, this is your option. It’s the salsa with the lowest amount of sodium.

Rice

If possible, cut out the rice. Each option has at least 185 calories, with the brown rice at 200 calories.

• Brown rice. It has more fiber and extra nutrients, and has a lower glycemic index. It’s the better choice, in general.
• White rice. This comes with a higher glycemic index, but it’s the option if you need fast-digesting carb.

Beans

• Black beans. These are better for you, even if it does have 120 calories. Its richer in nutritional content, with more fiber and antioxidants.
• Pinto beans. It comes with 115 calories, but it does have lots of fiber as well.

Final Word

Keep in mind that there’s no macro diet that works for everyone. The macro diet has to be customized according to individual needs. It starts with your diet goals for the most part. Your macro diet will be different when you’re focused mainly on building muscles. It changes if you’re looking to improve your agility or speed. And you also have a different macro diet if all you want to do is to lose some weight.

All these can be done with a macro diet, and it’s even possible with visits to Chipotle. But to make sure you can stick to your diet, do try to limit your Chipotle visits as well. There’s only so much that a person can take, before they say “to hell with the diet” and just enjoy all the ingredients that Chipotle has to offer!