Figures from Taco Bell UK nutrition information , collected by Boone
Chicken Bites (3) with Nacho Cheese Sauce, as published. Calorie split calculated by Boone. How
The Chicken Bites (3) with Nacho Cheese Sauce as published, seen four ways.
1 of 3 limits is over 30% in one portion, the UK front-of-pack mark for high.
Saturated fat is the biggest issue: 9.4g is 47% of an adult’s daily 20g in one portion.
Lower saturated fatChicken Bite (1) →0.7g saturated fat (3%), 52 kcalNHS limits by age: salt goes from 20% for an adult to 40% at age 4 to 6.
For age 4 to 6, salt is the bigger share: 1.2g is 40% of the day’s 3g limit in one portion.
Lower-salt swapChicken Bite (1) →0.18g salt, 6% of the 3g limitFor age 7 to 10, salt is the bigger share: 1.2g is 24% of the day’s 5g limit in one portion.
Lower-salt swapChicken Bite (1) →0.18g salt, 4% of the 5g limitFor age 11 to 17, salt is the bigger share: 1.2g is 20% of the day’s 6g limit in one portion.
Lower-salt swapChicken Bite (1) →0.18g salt, 3% of the 6g limitProtein counts in your favour here, but the saturated fat is still 47% of the adult limit.
7.8g of protein, #71 on the menu. Per calorie the Loaded Protein Bowl gives more: 9.0g per 100 kcal against 2.4g.
Most protein per calorieLoaded Protein Bowl →21g protein in 234 kcalHere the 480mg of sodium counts as useful after sweaty exercise.
15g of carbohydrate, and 72% of the energy is fat, which is slow to digest. Better after a long session than in the hours before one.
Natural sugars in milk, fruit and veg don’t count. NHS →
For smaller portions: the most nutrition per calorie, against all 202 Taco Bell items.
More protein per calorie than 36% of the 202 items on the menu.
More fibre per calorie than 32% of the 202 items on the menu.
Taco Bell does not publish vitamins or minerals for this item, so Boone does not estimate them.
The 2018 model indicates this portion is less healthy: it scores 15, above the line of 4.
Higher is less healthy; 4 or more would be classed as less healthy under this model. How the score works →
Joint #112 of 120 on the menu for this score (lower is better).
UK Nutrient Profiling Model 2018 →40 ingredients across 2 parts; 16 are additives or processed (orange).
Group 4 because of the additives or industrial ingredients listed above. How NOVA works →
Chicken Bites (3) 6g protein, 0.54g salt156
Crispy Chicken Tenders (2) 17g protein, 1.1g salt216
Chicken Bites (5) 10g protein, 0.89g salt260
Crispy Chicken Tenders (3) 25g protein, 1.7g salt324
Chicken Bites (3) with Nacho Cheese Sauce 7.8g protein, 1.2g salt324
Crispy Chicken Tenders (3) with Nacho Cheese Sauce 26g protein, 2g salt408
Chicken Bites Mini Bell Meal with Fries 10g protein, 1.5g salt419
Chicken Bites (5) with Nacho Cheese Sauce 12g protein, 1.6g salt428324 kcal as published. 324 kcal is 16% of a 2,000 kcal adult reference intake.
For a child aged 4 to 6 it is 40% of the day’s 3g salt limit and 26% of the 19g free sugar limit in one item. A Chicken Bite (1) has 0.18g of salt, 6% of that salt limit.
4.9g of total sugar as published. Boone estimates 4.9g of it is free sugar, from maltodextrin in the chicken nachos (3 pieces): 1.2 teaspoons and 16% of an adult’s 30g daily maximum.
7.8g, 2.4g per 100 kcal. It ranks #71 of 136 items on the menu for protein. The Loaded Protein Bowl gives the most protein for the calories, 9.0g per 100 kcal.
15 on the UK Nutrient Profiling Model 2018, calculated by Boone per 100g. Scores run from -20 to 40, and the higher the score, the less healthy the model rates the food. Foods scoring 4 or more would be classed as less healthy under this model.
Yes, NOVA group 4. The ingredient list includes emulsifiers, acidity regulators, colours and flavourings.
As published, cereals containing gluten and milk.
Source. Taco Bell UK nutrition information , per item as sold.
Collected. Copied by Boone from Taco Bell’s published figures. Data checks are led by Murray Dare.
Calculated by Boone. Labelled where it appears.
Limits. NHS free sugar and salt limits by age; UK reference intakes for adults.
