Photo by Chris Potter at StockMonkeys
Stop Telling Me How Many Calories are in a Chipotle Burrito
Burrito bashing went viral with “At Chipotle, How Many Calories Do People Really Eat?” , published on NYTimes.com on February 17, 2015.
Do you know how many articles have been written about the number of calories in a Chipotle burrito? Here’s a representative sampling:
- Fresh Mex: Not Always Healthy Mex
- How many calories are in your Chipotle burrito?
- Basic math blows holes in Chipotle’s absurd calorie range
- McDonald’s vs. Chipotle: Does the Big Mac Win?
- Foodfight: Is a McDonald’s Big Healthier than a Chipotle burrito
- We have no idea how many calories are in a Chipotle burrito
- Chipotle: Eat this to keep your calorie count low
- At Chipotle, how many calories do people really eat?
- Taco Bell’s burritos are better for your waistline than Chipotle’s
Swimming against the current, Slate.com posted a snappy rebuttal titled “Yes, Chipotle is high in calories. That doesn’t mean it’s not good for you.”
Still, it leaves you wondering: why is writing about the number of calories in a Chipotle burrito such a common subject? Is the general public really so clueless that we need to be told over and over again?
Why It’s Easy to Find an Audience for Burrito Bashing
Let’s face it. Chipotle squandered some of its public goodwill. There are two main reasons for this.
First, in 1999, Chipotle was briefly owned by McDonald’s, which added a long-lasting whiff of fast food to its hip, all-natural image.
Second, for quite a few years, Chipotle only published menu item calorie ranges (instead of specific calorie counts). Some of those ranges were noticeably and laughably unrealistic.
Here’s why those two relatively minor problems hit Chipotle hard. A company that tries to brand itself as “good” comes off much worse when they actually do something not-so-good, than a company that never made any such claim in the first place.
For example, Google, with its “Don’t Be Evil” motto, has been excoriated in numerous articles for its data mining, search rigging, and a host of other unfriendly activities. Yet other companies get relatively little press for doing the same sorts of things, because a) they’re not as huge as Google, and b) they don’t make moral claims like “Don’t Be Evil.”
Similarly, Chipotle set itself up to be knocked down by first projecting an all-natural, trustworthy image, then hanging out with Ronald McDonald while doing some squirrelly math with calorie counts. People like to be able to have official calorie counts available, whether they’re just trying to eat mindfully or are following a special diet, so this (understandably) didn’t go over too well.
Still, you don’t see any other restaurant being so consistently singled out for doing what most American restaurants do: serve you more food than you should probably eat in a single setting.
Photo by Ryan Hyde on Flickr
You Can Have My Chipotle Burrito When You Pry It From My Salsa-Splattered Hands
I still can’t hate Chipotle. Not even when the New York Times tells me to. I like their food and I like that they at least make an effort to source some ingredients in a responsible way.
So what if a burrito has 1,000 calories? So do lots of things. Burritos are so far down my list of “Stuff to Panic About” that I’m not even sure what page they’re on.
So, lay off. Stop telling me how many calories are in my Chipotle burrito, and I might even share my chips with you.
Judy@ImBoredLetsGo
I don’t eat at “fast food” places that often, but when I do I’m not expecting a low calorie meal! I think a lot of people don’t realize how many calories they consume eating “healthy”
Katie
True, that’s why it’s important to make the exact calorie counts available, but still- it’s just odd that Chipotle (of all places) gets so much ink over it.
Marye
I think it’s because people don’t want to take responsibility for anything… I mean… you can eat a 1,000 calorie burrito if you don’t eat it everyday… if you work out… etc. It’s not up to Chipotle to be the burrito police and make sure you aren’t taking in more calories than you should. grrr….
Katie
Ha ha…”burrito police” ๐
Kristen
I think its time that people take responsibility for what they put in their mouths! It’s not Chipolte’s job to count other people’s calories. They use healthier ingredients. I have heard of people get all upset because of the calories in their subway subs. um…don’t put a bunch of mayo on it if you want a lower calorie sandwich!
Katie
I like that they make the exact calorie count available; it just confuses me that the calorie amount gets so much media attention. And as for Subway? Go figure!
Jennifer Stewart
I love this article! Thank you! I am not concerned with calories as long as they are healthy and purposeful. I would rather eat 100 calories of healthy real foods, than 500 calories of nutrient deficient, hollow, fat laden calories any day! AMEN sister!
Farha - faskitchen
haha, shouldn’t we be responsible for what we eat… I had no clue Chipotle was previously owned by McDonalds. I prefer home-cooked food any given day over the fast food. But yes, i do agree when I feel like indulging myself sometimes, i don’t want someone reminding me of the caloris ๐