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This Is the Unhealthiest Side to Order at Chipotle

The fast-casual Mexican restaurant just showed America how they make it...

Did you know guacamole costs extra at Chipotle? You probably already did. But did you know that if you order a side of chips and guac you're consuming an insane amount of calories and fat? One part of this side is the worst thing you can order from that part of the menu — and it's not the guacamole! With 540 calories, 25 grams of fat, 73 grams of carbohydrates, and about as much sodium as four McDonald's chicken nuggets, the regular size chips are the unhealthiest side at Chipotle.

The chain recently released a video showing TikTok users how the tortilla chips are made. The short video gives a few clues as to why the chips are the unhealthiest side at Chipotle. (For more on how to eat cleaner, here are the 21 Best Healthy Cooking Hacks of All Time.)

First comes the dunk into a hot bath of oil for the tortillas. This already is adding tons of calories and fat. The bowl of chips gets a big squeeze of fresh lime, some shakes of salt, and a toss. That whole process repeats, which is why one serving has 390 milligrams of sodium. The chips end up in a bag, ready for the customer.

@chipotleReply to @ambiguous.amai Comment *crunch* what *crunch* you want *crunch* to *crunch* see next *crunch* ##chipotle ##chips ##recipe ##fyp♬ original sound – Chi-vote-le

The chips ranked #2 on our list of the worst menu items at Chipotle behind a whole steak salad. Even if it's paired with guac for a side, that's 770 calories, 47 grams of fat, 81 grams of carbs, 760 milligrams of sodium, and only 9 grams of protein. Plus, there's still the whole meal to account for.

The crunchy, tangy, and salty side goes well with just about any bowl, taco, or burrito. But it's better to pass on the chips. For more, here's every dish at Chipotle — ranked! And if you don't want to pay extra for guac, here's a handy recipe you can make at home!

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Amanda McDonald
Amanda has a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a bachelor's degree in digital journalism from Loyola University Chicago. Read more about Amanda