Surprisingly, Not Everything at Taco Bell Is Terrible For You: Try These 8 Protein-Packed Orders

Ready to "live más"? Or are you trying to eat better on a budget? Are you on a diet, but accidentally ended up at Taco Bell with your friends? Don't worry, we're right there with you.

If you're having a craving or you're stuck with fast food as your only option, these eight choices at Taco Bell are the chain's best, most nutritious options — and they're definitely not the worst things you can eat. In fact, the items we found at the Bell are super high in protein, and many are surprisingly high in vitamins and minerals. The best part? Nothing on this list is over 500 calories, or over $5, with several being closer to $1.

Chipotle Chicken Loaded Griller

Chipotle Chicken Loaded Griller

With grilled chicken, chipotle sauce, sour cream, and a flour tortilla, this griller clocks in at 360 calories, with a surprising 15 grams of protein, 15 percent of your iron, and 10 percent of your calcium. The downfall, as with most T-Bell items, is sodium, so be sure to get an extra glass of water with this under-$2 protein powerhouse.

Cantina Power Bowl

Cantina Power Bowl

Whether you order it with chicken, steak, or veggies, the Cantina Power Bowl is one of the better items you can order at Taco Bell. The meat options bring a whopping 30 grams of protein (16 grams in the veggie variety) and around 425 calories, with lots of fiber and not too much fat. The bowl also packs a ton of nutrients: 100 percent vitamin C, 45 percent vitamin A, 20 percent iron (25 in veggie), and 20 percent calcium. Go easy on the avocado ranch sauce, which contributes to the 1,000-plus milligram sodium content. You can add in healthy fats from avocado by ordering guacamole for extra flavor.

Fresco Soft and Crunchy Tacos

Fresco Soft and Crunchy Tacos

"Fresco" means adios to dairy products and hello to a pico de gallo; you can order your tacos and burritos this way. In either chicken or steak varieties of soft tacos, you're still getting 10 grams of protein and between eight and 10 percent of your iron (steak is slightly higher), all for under 140 calories. The sodium is under 500 milligrams, too!

Fresco Bean Burrito

Fresco Bean Burrito

By ordering your bean burrito fresco style, you'll skip the dairy while still getting 13 grams of protein and nine grams of fiber, all under 350 calories. While there are 55 grams of carbohydrates, all the ingredients in a Fresco Bean Burrito are certified vegan.

Fresco Supreme Chicken Burrito

Fresco Supreme Chicken Burrito

By cutting out the sour cream and cheese, you'll save on calories and fat (fat that you can totally supplement with delicious, dairy-free guacamole). The Fresco Supreme Chicken Burrito has an impressive 20 grams of protein and six grams of fiber, all under 340 calories. Be wary of the 50 grams of carbohydrates and 1,000-plus milligrams of sodium.

Chicken Soft Taco

Chicken Soft Taco

Not all the best items on the menu are fresco. Love cheese? Get it! It's got calcium and protein, after all. The Chicken Soft Taco as is will only run you 160 calories but brings 12 grams of protein and eight percent of your iron to the table, with fewer than 500 milligrams of sodium.

Black Beans

Black Beans

This simple side dish of plain black beans is full of protein, fiber, and iron, with basically zero sugar and only 80 calories. It's vegan, gluten free, and nutritious.

Spicy Tostada

Spicy Tostada

This 210-calorie dish has four grams of fiber, seven grams of protein, under 500 milligrams of sodium, six percent of your iron, is vegetarian, and is also literally $1. You can order it Fresco style to save on calories.