15 Healthiest Del Taco Items, Ranked: What to Order (2026)
I have a confession: I used to assume nothing at a taco drive-thru could count as "eating light." Then I sat down with the full Del Taco nutrition data — all 98 food items on the current menu — and ranked every single one by calories, protein, fat, and sodium. The results surprised me.
Some items genuinely work as lighter meals. Others are calorie bombs wearing a taco costume. If you've ever wondered "is Del Taco healthy?" — the honest answer is that it depends entirely on what you order, and most of the "healthiest Del Taco" guides ranking on Google right now are working from stale data — I found several still recommending Beyond Meat items that Del Taco discontinued. This guide is different: every number below comes from Del Taco's current published nutrition information, checked against our own menu database at thedeltacomenu.us.
One important note before we start: I'm not a dietitian, and this isn't medical advice. "Healthiest" here means lower in calories, saturated fat, and sodium while still giving you real protein and fiber — the stuff that actually keeps you full. If you have specific dietary needs, talk to a healthcare professional.
How I Ranked Everything
I pulled the complete nutrition panel for all 98 food items on Del Taco's menu — calories, total fat, saturated fat, protein, fiber, and sodium. Then I ranked them with a simple philosophy:
- Calories matter most. A 1,100-calorie "healthy-seeming" burrito isn't a light meal, no matter how much protein it has.
- Protein density breaks ties. Between two 200-calorie tacos, the one with more protein wins — it keeps you satisfied longer.
- Saturated fat and sodium are penalties. Fast food's two quiet killers. Items loaded with either got pushed down.
- Fiber is a bonus. Beans and veggies that add fiber earned extra credit.
Drinks, desserts, and sauces were excluded — this ranking is about actual food you'd order as a meal or snack.
The 15 Healthiest Del Taco Items, Ranked
| Rank | Item | Calories | Protein | Fat (sat) | Fiber | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grilled Chicken Street Taco | 110 | 9g | 3.5g (0g) | 0g | 300mg |
| 2 | Carne Asada Steak Street Taco | 120 | 10g | 3.5g (1.5g) | 1g | 420mg |
| 3 | Carne Asada Steak Street Guac'd Up Taco | 140 | 10g | 4.5g (1.5g) | 2g | 460mg |
| 4 | 3 Carnitas Street Tacos | 150 | 11g | 7g (3g) | 1g | 240mg |
| 5 | Snack Taco (Crunchy or Soft) | 120 | 6g | 7g (3g) | 0g | 135mg |
| 6 | Mini Cheddar Quesadilla | 130 | 5g | 6g (3.5g) | 1g | 290mg |
| 7 | Snack-Sized Chips & Fresh House-Made Guac | 170 | 2g | 11g (1.5g) | 2g | 220mg |
| 8 | Grilled Chicken Snacker | 190 | 13g | 9g (4g) | 1g | 510mg |
| 9 | Grilled Chicken Taco | 210 | 11g | 12g (3g) | 1g | 510mg |
| 10 | Beer Battered Fish Taco | 230 | 11g | 9g (2g) | 2g | 930mg |
| 11 | Chipotle Crispy Chicken Taco | 240 | 9g | 12g (3.5g) | 1g | 690mg |
| 12 | Ranch Crispy Chicken Taco | 240 | 9g | 12g (4g) | 1g | 700mg |
| 13 | Chicken Cheddar Rollers | 250 | 13g | 9g (2.5g) | 0g | 750mg |
| 14 | Breakfast Roller (Egg & Cheese) | 290 | 16g | 14g (5g) | 1g | 860mg |
| 15 | Bean & Cheese Cup | 300 | 17g | 6g (3g) | 14g | 770mg |
All figures per standard serving, from Del Taco's published nutrition data. If you're browsing the full Del Taco menu for healthy picks, the table above is your cheat sheet — prices vary by location.
A few things jump out. First, the street tacos dominate — they're small, corn-tortilla based, and the grilled proteins keep fat low. As far as healthy options at Del Taco go, the street taco lineup might be the best value in all of fast food: some of the healthiest fast food tacos you can buy anywhere, at a drive-thru price. Second, the Bean & Cheese Cup is the fiber king of the menu at 14 grams — more than most people get at lunch. Third, crispy chicken costs you: compare the Grilled Chicken Taco (210 cal) with its crispy cousins (240 cal and more fat).
My Top 5 Picks, Up Close
1. Grilled Chicken Street Taco — 110 calories
The single healthiest item on the entire Del Taco menu. Grilled marinated chicken on a corn tortilla with zero grams of saturated fat and 9 grams of protein for just 110 calories. Order two or three and you have a genuinely satisfying meal for 220–330 calories. This is my default order when I want fast food without the regret.
2. Carne Asada Steak Street Taco — 120 calories
Proof that steak can be a light choice. The carne asada street taco delivers 10 grams of protein at only 120 calories, with minimal saturated fat (1.5g). The Carne Asada Steak Street Guac'd Up Taco adds fresh guacamole for just 20 more calories — worth it for the healthy fats and flavor.
3. 3 Carnitas Street Tacos — 150 calories
Wait — carnitas in a health ranking? These street-style portions keep it to 150 calories with 11 grams of protein and the lowest sodium in my top 5 (240mg). Portion size is everything: the same carnitas in a giant burrito is a different story.
4. Bean & Cheese Cup — 300 calories
The most filling "healthy" pick on the menu. Seventeen grams of protein plus 14 grams of fiber means this little cup will keep you full for hours. It's also one of the cheapest items on the menu — healthy and budget-friendly is a rare combo.
5. Grilled Chicken Snacker — 190 calories
Thirteen grams of protein for under 200 calories. The snacker size is the secret weapon of eating light at Del Taco — you get the flavor of the full-size items at roughly half the calories.
5 Customization Tricks That Cut Calories Fast
The menu is only half the story — how you order matters just as much. These tweaks work on almost any item:
- Go grilled, not crispy. Grilled chicken has roughly half the fat of crispy chicken. This single swap is the biggest calorie saver on the menu.
- Pick corn tortillas over flour. Corn tortillas are smaller and lower in calories — it's why the street tacos rank so well.
- Easy on the cheese and sour cream. Ask for light cheese or skip the sour cream; you'll barely miss them under salsa and guac.
- Add pico de gallo and salsa. Practically zero calories, tons of flavor. Salsa is the ultimate free upgrade.
- Guac over queso. Fresh guacamole adds healthy fats and fiber; queso adds saturated fat. Your call, but the numbers favor guac.
What to Skip When You're Eating Light
Honesty matters, so here are the other end of my ranking — the items that look reasonable but aren't:
- Queso Loaded Nachos (1,030–1,152 cal). The single heaviest items on the menu. One order has more calories than three of my top-5 picks combined.
- Epic Burritos (860–1,050 cal). They're called "epic" for a reason — epic portions. Split one or save half for later.
- Combo meals. Adding fries and a drink to any burrito pushes most combos past 1,100 calories. The meal versions are the worst offenders in my data.
None of these are "bad" foods — but they're not light meals, and you deserve to know that before you order.
The Bottom Line
Eating light at Del Taco is absolutely doable — the street taco lineup is one of the better low-calorie options in all of fast food. My formula is simple: grilled protein + corn tortilla + salsa, and you've got a meal under 350 calories with real protein.
If you're also watching carbs, check out my Del Taco Keto & Low-Carb Guide. Eating plant-based? The Vegan & Vegetarian Guide has you covered. And for the full nutrition picture, browse the Nutrition Guide.
Quick disclosure: thedeltacomenu.us is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with Del Taco. Nutrition figures come from Del Taco's published data and were last verified in October 2026; recipes can change, so check Del Taco's official site if you need the latest numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the healthiest thing to order at Del Taco?
The Grilled Chicken Street Taco is the healthiest single item on the menu at 110 calories, 9 grams of protein, and zero saturated fat. For a full meal, order two or three street tacos with a side of salsa — around 330 calories with 27+ grams of protein.
Is Del Taco healthier than Taco Bell?
It depends on what you order, but Del Taco has a genuine edge for light eating: the street taco lineup (110–150 calories each) has no real equivalent at Taco Bell, and Del Taco's grilled chicken options are leaner than most fried alternatives. That said, both chains can wreck a diet with loaded nachos or epic burritos — the menu choices matter more than the brand.
What should I order at Del Taco to lose weight?
Stick to the top of my ranking: street tacos, the Grilled Chicken Snacker, or the Bean & Cheese Cup. Keep meals under 400 calories, prioritize grilled over crispy proteins, and skip combo meals (the fries and soda add 400+ calories). No single restaurant choice drives weight loss, though — it's your overall pattern that counts.
Does Del Taco have low-calorie bowls?
Del Taco's bowl options vary, but the snack-sized items are your best bet for bowl-style eating. The Snack-Sized Chips & Fresh House-Made Guac is 170 calories. For a true low-calorie bowl experience, order two street tacos "fresco style" ingredients in a cup — most locations will accommodate simple requests.
Are Del Taco street tacos healthy?
Yes — they're the healthiest format on the menu. Corn tortillas are smaller and lower in calories than flour, and the grilled chicken and carne asada fillings are lean. Three Grilled Chicken Street Tacos total 330 calories with 27 grams of protein, which beats most fast-food "healthy" options.
What is the lowest-calorie burrito at Del Taco?
Among full-size burritos, the Jack'd Up Beans, Rice & Cheese Burrito is relatively moderate at 450 calories. But honestly, if calories are the priority, skip burritos entirely — even the lightest burrito has more calories than three street tacos combined. The burrito format just carries more tortilla, rice, and cheese.
