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Taco Bell for Diabetes Management? A Dietitian’s Top Menu Picks

by Kaitlin Williams Eckstein MPH, RDN, LDN | Last updated Jul 3, 2024 | Published on Sep 20, 2022 | Diabetes

What menu items can I order from Taco Bell for diabetes management? 

Taco Bell for diabetes management? We know that real life happens. Not every meal can be from home. Fast food is a convenient, inexpensive option and that’s ok! Check out our Eating out with Diabetes Blog!

 

Mexican food (like the very Americanized Mexican food of Taco Bell) can be fairly high in carbohydrate between the rice, beans, and tortillas. The benefit to certain dishes is the fiber content! Especially when beans are involved, the fiber content can really help slow the break down of sugar and slow the rise of blood glucose.
Protein also has a similar role in blood sugar management. Protein helps slow down the rise of blood glucose. Animal sources like chicken, beef, and cheese are great. Beans offer up some protein as well!

So what can I order off the menu at Taco Bell for diabetes and blood sugar control?

If you’ve followed along our fast food for diabetes series, you know we try to find menu options that are around 45 grams of carbohydrate or less. So let’s look at some of our top picks:
 
taco bell for diabetes infographic
 
As you can see in the graphic above, there are plenty of combinations that are around 45 grams of carbohydrate!
 

Carb and Fiber content of our Favorite Taco Bell Menu Options

Note: Add 2 g carbohydrate for “supreme” style

  • Chicken Chalupa: 28 g carb, 3 g fiber
  • Cheesy Gordita Crunch: 41 g carb, 5 g fiber
  • Beef Crunchy Taco: 13 g carb, 3 g fiber
  • Beef Soft Taco: 18 g carb, 3 g fiber
  • Chicken Burrito Supreme: 49 g carb, 7 g fiber
  • Steak Quesadilla: 42 g carb, 3 g fiber
  • Cheesy Roll Up: 17 g carb, 1 g fiber
  • Veggie Mexican Pizza: 46 g carb, 8 g fiber
  • Chicken Power Bowl: 41 g carb, 8 g fiber

As you can see, there are quite a few options from the menu for around 45 grams of carbohydrate, or less. Not to mention, several of the options are a good source of fiber!

Blog reviewed and updated February 2023

For more on diabetes management, read our Mastering Diabetes Nutrition guide! If you’d like to stay up to date on our diabetes-focused blogs and resources, sign up below for our diabetes newsletter, and receive our free guide to lower your blood sugar!

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An award winning recipe developer, Dietitian Kaitlin’s mission is to empower others to reach their health goals by encouraging them to get back into the kitchen. Co-author of Nourished: 10 Ingredients to Happy, Healthy Eating and Cooking with Diabetes.