Tostada Mexican Grill is the most popular lunch destination located in UCONN’s Student Union. People are willing to wait about 15 minutes during their lunch hour rush just for their taco salads to which they will sell an average of over 400 a day! But do you know how many calories are in a taco salad?
Chicken Taco Salad
Their best-selling salad is the chicken taco salad which consists of 1 cup of lettuce, 1 scoop of shredded seasoned chicken, 1 handful of corn chips, and whatever toppings you want to add. One chicken taco salad with additional guacamole and sour cream is 925 calories.
Beef Taco Salad
Tostada’s second most popular salad is the beef taco salad. One beef taco salad with guacamole and sour cream is 960 calories. Beef contains a higher percentage of fat content which makes it an unhealthy salad choice. 377 of those calories you are consuming is fat.
Vegetarian Taco Salad
The healthiest taco salad option to choose from Tostada’s with the least amount of calories is the vegetarian taco salad. It only has 560 calories which is almost half the number of calories from the chicken taco salad. There are only 260 calories from fat in this salad as it primarily consists of vegetables.
Tostada’s Toppings
Most of the calories in a taco salad comes from the wide variety of toppings Tostada offers. Their most popular toppings besides guacamole and sour cream to add on a salad are the queso, pico de gallo, shredded mixed cheese, and shredded lettuce. Each topping varies in the amount of calories you would be consuming. Make sure you stay clear from all the saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol levels in the toppings you choose.
Each taco salad is almost 1,000 calories you are consuming and this is not including a drink! All those calories can really add up if you aren’t careful about what you are adding to a salad.
On average, a UCONN student will eat Tostada’s taco salad about once or twice a week. Knowing this, you might want to hit the gym after you have devoured Tostada’s taco salad. Fortunately, the Student Recreation Facility is located across the street from the Student Union.