Are Jack In The Box Tacos Bad For You?
Short answer
Tacos at Jack in the Box are best avoided - they are loaded with fat, sodium, and preservatives. They may be tempting with their low price, but come with a laundry list of side effects when eaten regularly.
Recommended Alternative
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Familiar to anyone living in Southern California and a seeming “must try” for those just visiting, Jack in the Box is a West Coast eatery with over 2,000 locations. Despite an extensive menu offering everything from burgers to breakfast, tacos are the big draw at this fast food restaurant. Jack in the Box has been serving them for half a century and purports to sell in excess of 400 million a year to a devoted following.
Repeatedly called into question is the taco filling used at this fast food restaurant – an unattractive looking paste containing texturized protein – which is essentially soy flour with caramel coloring, as well as defatted soy grits. In their defense, Jack in the Box does not promote this menu item as a beef taco, and although some people have gone so far as they are suitable for vegetarians, they actually do contain both beef and chicken in addition to vegetable proteins.
Although a regular taco stuffed with this suspicious looking paste and topped with cheese and lettuce will only set you back 172 calories, it is important to recognize that 83 of these come from fat and that it contains 362 mg of sodium. If you take the restaurant’s advice and make your taco experience “awesomer” by ordering a Nacho Monster Taco, you’ll be logging 333 calories, 197 of these from fat as well as seriously upping the sodium intake to 930 mg. A further upgrade to the Bacon Ranch Monster Taco will net significantly less sodium, but more fat. Also noteworthy is the fact that all tacos at Jack in the Box are deep fried in a Canola oil “blend”.
A more general concern, from a health standpoint, is the fact that Jack in the Box offers cheap junk food. Regular tacos are offered at two for 99 cents, so it’s unlikely that you’ll be eating just one. If you’re tempted by a well-priced potato side – and there are many to choose from – you’ll be well on your way to a full day’s worth of calories and sodium allowance, without having ingested anything of nutritional value.
Possible short-term side effects
- water retention
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dehydration
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blood sugar spike
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lethargy
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headache
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nausea
Possible long-term side effects
- obesity
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kidney disease
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heart disease
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high blood pressure
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high cholesterol
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cancer
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
Our Wellness Pick
(what is this?)
Amy's Organic Vegan Chili
- Vegan-friendly
- Contains organic vegetables
- Gluten-free
- Medium spiced
- Bulk 12 pack
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Written by Healthy Living 35
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-15-2023
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Healthy Living 35
Published on: 12-29-2015
Last updated: 12-15-2023
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