Burrito vs. Fajita — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

Macronutrients

The protein amount of a fajita is three times higher than a burrito's. Fajitas has 18.56 g protein per 100 g, while burrito has 6.48 g protein per 100 g. In comparison, burritos contain more carbohydrates and more fats than fajitas. However, fajita is high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. You can read more detailed information in the sections below. 

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison

Burrito

2

Protein: 6.48 g

Fats: 6.22 g

Carbs: 32.92 g

Water: 52.53 g

Other: 1.85 g

Fajita

3

Protein: 18.56 g

Fats: 5.73 g

Carbs: 2.23 g

Water: 70.6 g

Other: 2.88 g

Contains more CarbsCarbs

+1376.2%

Contains more ProteinProtein	+186.4%
Contains more WaterWater	+34.4%
Contains more OtherOther	+55.7%

~equal in Fats ~5.73g

Carbs

The level of carbs in burritos is way higher than in fajita. It contains 32.92 g of carbs, while fajitas have only 2.23 g. What is interesting, burritos are lower in sugar. 

Fats

Burritos have higher amounts of fats than fajitas. The saturated fat in the burrito fills 15% of the daily value, while, in fajitas, it is less as it is 7% of the daily value. The amount of saturated fat in the burrito is two times higher than that of fajita. It has 3.2 g per 100 g, whereas fajita has 1.6 g per 100 g.

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison

Burrito

0

Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 3.174 g

Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 2.184 g

Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 0.551 g

Fajita

3

Saturated Fat: Sat. Fat 1.596 g

Monounsaturated Fat: Mono. Fat 2.333 g

Polyunsaturated fat: Poly. Fat 1.089 g

Contains less Sat. FatSaturated Fat	-49.7%
Contains more Poly. FatPolyunsaturated fat	+97.6%

~equal in Monounsaturated Fat ~2.333g

Calories

Overall, burritos are higher in calories than fajitas due to their combination of different fillings, such as sour cream, salsa, etc. Burritos have 206 calories per 100 g, while fajitas have only 135 calories per 100 g.

Minerals

The mineral amount of the burrito is significantly higher than that of the fajita. Fajita contains five times higher phosphorus and two times higher zinc than a burrito. 

Conversely, a burrito has four times more copper and three times more calcium than a fajita. The burrito also has higher levels of magnesium and iron. Both have an equal level of potassium. Burritos contain more potassium than fajitas. It has 301 mg per 100 g, while fajita contains 284 mg per 100 g.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Burrito

6

Fajita

3

Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium	+81.8%
Contains more CalciumCalcium	+300%
Contains more IronIron	+110.1%
Contains more CopperCopper	+480%
Contains less SodiumSodium	-43.2%
Contains more ManganeseManganese	+506.1%

Contains more ZincZinc	+95.7%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus	+515.6%
Contains more SeleniumSelenium	+65.3%

~equal in Potassium ~284mg

Vitamins

Burritos and fajitas are packed with vitamins in different amounts. Fajitas lack Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin D, whereas burritos have moderate amounts of these vitamins. Moreover, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, B5, and Folate are also higher in burritos. On the other hand, fajitas contain more Vitamin B3 and Vitamin B6 than burritos. Both foods have an equal level of Vitamin 12.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Burrito

6

Fajita

5

Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C	+∞%
Contains more Vitamin AVitamin A	+∞%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1	+190%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2	+31.5%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5	+26.7%
Contains more FolateFolate	+900%

Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3	+155.6%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6	+176.4%
Contains more CholineCholine	+153%

~equal in Vitamin D ~µg

~equal in Vitamin B12 ~0.54µg

Glycemic Index

The food's glycemic index is a value based on how slowly or how quickly food can cause increases in blood glucose levels. The glycemic index of a burrito is equal to 37; fajita has a GI of 42. Both are considered low-glycemic index foods.

Acidity

The acidity of foods is described by the potential renal acid load (PRAL), which indicates the acid production of the food within the body. The acidity of a burrito is about 3.2 (alkaline), while that of a fajita is 12.6 (acidic).

Weight Loss

From the very start, it is necessary to point out that burritos and fajitas are not often associated with weight loss. Usually, they are high in calories; however, you can make some adaptations to make them acceptable for people craving them, even when on a diet. Choose the Fajitas Bowl or Burrito Bowl; they are prepared without tortillas, with about 100 calories each. Also, they contain healthy ingredients, such as Vitamin C and fiber; therefore, they are the healthiest of all varieties (1).

Diabetes

According to the Indian study, there is a correlation between burrito consumption and high BMI (body measure size), leading to increased risks of developing diabetes. In contrast to a burrito, fajitas are the safest and most delicious low-carb dish for people with diabetes. The meat and vegetables in fajita are grilled and contain fewer carbs and no sugar. If flour tortillas are replaced, fajitas can be diabetic-friendly (2).

Cardiovascular Health

Section reviewed by cardiologist Astghik Grigoryan

Studies show burritos contain nearly 55% of the required daily trans fat. As mentioned above, consuming burritos is associated with high BMI, which increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Chicken fajitas are packed with nutritious ingredients, lean protein, and fiber, containing no trans fats. Eating fajitas is not an issue, but in any case, try to avoid using it daily (3) (4).

In summary, while burritos and fajitas can be part of a balanced diet, they tend to be a healthier option for cardiovascular health due to their lower calorie and fat content, especially when prepared with lean protein and plenty of vegetables. However, portion control and ingredient selection are crucial for both options.

Red Meat Allergy

Red meat allergy is common in any age group and race. People usually have this allergy if they are sensitive to cat serum albumin that cross-reacts with albumin in pork. These cases often relate to specific IgE to galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal), an oligosaccharide of non-primate mammals. Symptoms often include urticaria, vomiting, stomach cramps, and, in rare cases, anaphylaxis (5).