Black beans vs pinto beans chipotle

As an avid bean eater, I know from personal experience that beans can make or break a meal. Some restaurants have ruined perfectly good tacos and burritos with soggy, flavorless beans, while others have used their beans to transform a normal burrito into a sensational one. One restaurant that I think does an amazing job on all their beans is Chipotle, so I often hesitate when deciding between pinto vs black beans. I taste tested each of them and came to the conclusion that they pretty much taste the same when they are both alone and all mixed together in my stunning burrito bowl. This got me thinking, is there really even a difference?

Índice Show

Pinto beans
Black beans
Is one better?
Which is better black or pinto beans Chipotle?
Which Bean is healthier at Chipotle?
What beans are best at Chipotle?
What is better black beans or pinto beans?

Pinto beans

Pinto beans are the light brown colored beans that are usually closest to the customer when going through the Chipotle line. According to Chipotle's nutrition page, a serving size of pinto beans is around 4 ounces, which is 130 calories. There are 1.5 grams fat, 210 milligrams of sodium, 8 grams of fiber, 1 gram of sugar and 8 grams of protein. Pinto beans also contain some vitamin C, calcium and iron.

Black beans

As you can probably guess from the name, black beans are black. They tend to be a little smaller than pinto beans, but have the same texture. Chipotle's website says that a serving size of black beans is 4 ounces, which is 130 calories. There is a total of 1.5 grams of fat, 210 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of carbohydrates, 7 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar and 8 grams of protein. Black beans also contain vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron.

Is one better?

According to the American Heart Association, incorporating any type of bean into your diet can help improve your blood and cholesterol, which may potentially lower your chances of heart disease. Although studies are currently inconclusive, the antioxidants and fiber in beans might make them a cancer preventing food for certain types of cancer. The Bean Institute names colorectal, breast and prostate cancers as types that can be prevented through bean consumption.

When it comes to nutrition facts, pinto beans and black beans are pretty similar. A 4 ounce serving of each has the same amount of fat, calories, sodium and protein.

So next time you order from Chipotle, the only thing you really need to think about is if you think one tastes better than the other, and of course, if one will look better in your picture. Despite your choice, if you love beans as much as I do, your meal will be one to remember.

This quick-service joint has been around for years, but Dana and I only recently tested it out. We'd heard they use free-range animal meat and fresher ingredients. We didn't realize those would come in gigantic portions! That said, here are our tips for eating healthier (and greener) at Chipotle.

How can fast food be eco-friendly?

Chipotle strives to serve “Food with Integrity,” meaning better tasting, from better sources and better for the environment and the animals. Their chains offer naturally raised pork, chicken and beef, and about 25% of their pinto and black beans are organic. Chipotle recently began purchasing some of their produce from local farms, too (something I like to see!).

Chipotle's website has ingredient lists and yummy pictures all over it, but I had a tough time finding the nutritional details. Finally, I Googled "Chipotle + Nutrition Info" and found this pdf hiding in their FAQs.

For any first timers, the menu can be a bit overwhelming because you create your own burrito, salad, fajita or taco. This is easy temptation to go overboard. For the base, go for a flour tortilla (taco) with 90 calories -- as opposed to the burrito with 290 calories -- or order your meal to split with a friend (Dana and I should have split a burrito, not had two).

Next, choose your fillings, but don’t go crazy! Stick to two or three healthy toppings. Start by choosing one protein such beef, pork or chicken. The pinto beans are flavored with bacon (so vegetarians and sodium-watchers, be mindful!); choose the black beans instead. Next, go for the lettuce, tomatillo green or red chili salsa or a fresh tomato salsa -- they range from 15 to 40 calories a serving.

Just for kicks, I added up a burrito with pinto beans, chicken, red tomatillo salsa, sour cream and guacamole -- here are the results: 910 calories and 40.5 grams fat. It’s no wonder those nutrition facts aren't easily accessible!

Cheese, guacamole and sour cream are classic add-ons, but they're also high calorie and high fat. If you’re splitting your meal, choose one of these toppings and ask them to go easy. Otherwise, skip it. By removing the sour cream and guac in the burrito above, I save 270 calories and 23 grams of fat.

For more information, check out Chipotle's menu and their nutrition info.

Which is better black or pinto beans Chipotle?

Black beans also contain a few fewer total carbs than pinto beans. But pinto beans actually come out on top when it comes to some of the other nutrients, like fiber, calcium, phosphorus, folate, and Vitamin K.

Which Bean is healthier at Chipotle?

Embrace the beans Black beans and pinto beans are a prime source of fiber — between 7 and 8 grams, depending on which you choose. While we need 25 to 38 grams of this nutrient, most Americans get just 16 grams. Beyond fiber, beans have some pretty great perks.

What beans are best at Chipotle?

Pinto beans are the light brown colored beans that are usually closest to the customer when going through the Chipotle line.

What is better black beans or pinto beans?

Black Beans come out slightly ahead in nutritional terms. However black beans have a higher density of these nutrients per gram than do pinto beans. Black beans are higher in protein and fiber content per cup than pinto beans. Black beans have fewer carbohydrates and starch than pinto beans.