Is Chipotle Trying To Make Me Fat?

Eating at restaurants led to an average increase of almost 200 calories per day, and fast food diners saw an increase in their sodium and total fat daily intake.
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If you've ever needed any legitimate excuse to eat tacos with guac everyday, you now have it. Chipotle Mexican Grill, the popular fast food American chain, is rolling out with their Chiptopia Summer Rewards program in an effort to win back their customers.

Between July, August and September, Chipotle customers can earn free meals for regularly visiting the fast food giant. Make one purchase of at least $6 on four separate days in the same month and you will win one free entre of your choice, and achieve "Mild" status. "Medium" status requires customers to visit 8 times within the same month to win a second free entre. And, at the top level, "Hot Status", customers have to purchase 11 meals in order to win their 3rd free entre.

Related article: Worst Fast Food Drinks - You Won't Believe #1

It's great that you can win up to 9 free meals within three months BUT have you wondered what the consequences are of eating Chipotle for 36 days in that time frame?

If you pack your burrito with: chicken, white rice, fresh tomato salsa, sour cream, cheese, lettuce, and guacamole (obviously) you are racking up 1,165 calories, 20 g of saturated fat and 2,490 mg of sodium...in just one sitting.

Skipping out on the tortilla and opting for a burrito bowl of: steak, brown rice, black beans, tomatillo green chili salsa and guacamole will total up to 765 calories and 1,405 mg of sodium.

Celebrating taco Tuesday and eating 3 soft corn tortillas with: carnitas, fajita veggies, sour cream, lettuce, cheese and guacamole will pack on 870 calories, 22 g of saturated fat and 1,220 mg of sodium.

Salad eaters aren't in the clear either. A salad of romaine lettuce, barbacoa, fresh tomato salsa, cheese and Chipotle's vinaigrette totals up to 570 calories, 12 g of saturated fat and 2,120 mg of sodium. Here's a sodium shocker: the vinaigrette alone contains 850 mg of sodium!

So what do all these numbers mean in regards to your health? Well, the American Heart Association recommends people aim to eat NO MORE than 1,500 mg of sodium per day, and only consume about 13 g of saturated fats per day based off of a 2,000-calorie diet.

Your best bet is to stick to home cooked meals. In fact, research shows that eating out, no matter which restaurant you choose, is less healthy than cooking your own meals at home. That's because eating at restaurants led to an average increase of almost 200 calories per day, and fast food diners saw an increase in their sodium and total fat daily intake.

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