Sports Performance Nutrition
Are you looking for high protein Chipotle bowl ideas for athletes? Chipotle is a very popular quick-service restaurant that sells a variety of menu options.
One of their most bought menu items is their “build your own burrito bowl”. In these bowls, you can load up on various ingredients to make the perfect bowl for you! Chipotle offers a wide range of proteins, carbs, fresh veg, and more, that you can add to your bowl.
In this article, we’ll be giving you 5 high protein Chipotle bowl combinations that you can try out next time you’re at Chipotle! These bowls are sports dietitian-approved and provide you with the necessary nutrients to crush your next training session.
Importance of Protein for Endurance Athletes
As an endurance athlete, your body requires proper fuel to sustain long hours of training and racing. One essential nutrient for your performance and recovery is protein.
Protein is a crucial component of an endurance athlete’s diet as it plays a vital role in muscle repair, recovery, and growth.
During prolonged exercise, your muscle tissues undergo stress and breakdown. Consuming an adequate amount of protein post-workout helps facilitate muscle protein synthesis, aiding in the repair and rebuilding process.
Additionally, protein can help sustain energy levels and promote satiety, which is beneficial for weight management and overall performance.
Flexible Eating Style for Athletes
Do you fear going out to eat as an athlete because you’re worried you’ll stray from your goals? If so, I get it. Many of our performance nutrition clients who first come to see us are scared to go to places like Chipotle.
But the good news is that many restaurants have athlete-friendly options. If you’re in a rush or don’t feel like cooking, places such as Chipotle are great to ensure you’re staying fueled! This is why I recommend a flexible eating style for athletes that allows room for quick-service restaurants and fast food when your schedule (or mood) calls for it.
What’s important is knowing what menu items to prioritize and what to avoid to best suit your athletic goals.
Protein Options at Chipotle
Chipotle offers a variety of protein-rich options suitable for endurance athletes to choose from. Most of these protein sources are not only flavorful but also provide essential amino acids necessary for muscle repair and recovery.
Here are the protein options available at Chipotle:
- Chicken
- Steak
- Barbacoa
- Carnitas
- Sofritas (plant-based protein)
- Veggie (guacamole with black beans or pinto beans)
You can bump up the protein even more by adding black or pinto beans to any of the meats or sofritas. Additionally, you can also “double up” on protein, which gives you double the amount in your bowl.
Remember that some protein options will vary based on your location, so it’s best to check out the menu of your local Chipotle!
Other Chipotle Bowl Ingredients to Include
Besides protein sources, Chipotle has tons of other options that can be added to bowls. To build a bowl that is best for endurance athletes, I recommend including at least one source of both carbs and healthy fats to create a balanced meal.
Chipotle bowl carb options:
- Brown rice
- White rice
One style of beans is included in every bowl. Beans provide both carbs and protein! However, if you’re getting ready to train, I’d recommend skipping out on the beans due to their high fiber content.
The two options are:
- Black beans
- Pinto beans
You can boost the micronutrients in your bowl by including fresh produce and a portion of fats. Chipotle offers:
- Fajita veggies
- Romaine lettuce
- 4 different types of salsa
- Guacamole
- Cheese
5 High Protein Chipotle Bowl Ideas
Next, we’ll be giving you 5 different high protein Chipotle bowl ideas to try out as an athlete.
#1 Grilled Chicken Power Bowl
The grilled chicken at Chipotle is one of our favorite lean protein options for athletes. It’s not only high in protein but also lower in fat, which can be helpful for athletes trying to lose weight while still fueling properly.
Inside the bowl:
- Grilled chicken
- White rice
- Pinto beans
- Romaine lettuce
- Fajita veggies
Macronutrient breakdown: 545 cal, 45 g protein, 67 g carbs, 13 g fat
#2 Plant-Powered Protein Bowl
Here is a great bowl idea for plant-based athletes or anyone looking to boost their plant-protein intake for the day. The sofritas at Chipotle are made from soy, making it a complete protein containing all essential amino acids.
The bowl includes:
- Sofritas
- Brown rice
- Black beans
- Romaine lettuce
- Fajita veggies
- Fresh tomato salsa
Macronutrient breakdown: 540 cal, 21 g protein, 77 g carbs, 18 g fat
#3 Spicy Carnitas Bowl
Are you looking to add a bit of spice to your bowl? While we might not recommend a spicy bowl as a pre-workout meal, you can absolutely have fun with the flavor after your training!
This bowl contains:
- Carnitas
- White rice
- Tomatillo red chili salsa
- Romaine lettuce
- Cheese
Macronutrient breakdown: 565 cal, 33 g protein, 46 g carbs, 24 g fat
#4 Southwest Steak and Corn Bowl
The steak at Chipotle is a great protein choice for athletes, offering 21 grams of protein for 150 calories. When it comes to white vs. brown rice, it’s going to depend on personal preference. Brown rice does have a slightly higher micronutrient profile than white rice, so this bowl uses 1/2 white rice and 1/2 brown rice.
Inside this bowl:
- Steak
- 1/2 white rice, 1/2 brown rice
- Roasted chili corn salsa
- Fajita veggies
- Romaine lettuce
Macronutrient breakdown: 465 cal, 13 g fat, 29 g protein, 61 g carbs
#5 Double Chicken Tex Mex Bowl
Doubling up on protein can be a useful strategy to boost the protein content of your bowl, especially if you plan to eat half of your bowl now and save the other half for later.
This double-protein bowl has:
- Double grilled chicken
- White rice
- Black beans
- Romaine lettuce
- Fresh tomato salsa
Macronutrient breakdown: 705 cal, 76 g protein, 63 g carbs, 20 g fat
High Protein Chipotle Bowl Ideas: The Takeaway
As you can see, building a high protein Chipotle bowl for athletes is fairly simple using the choices available on the menu!
By choosing the right ingredients and combinations, you can fuel your body effectively to optimize performance, support recovery, and achieve your athletic goals.
Remember to customize your bowl according to your dietary preferences and nutritional needs. Chipotle’s website has a great nutrition calculator where you can add in your choices, and it will tell you the protein, calorie, carb, and fat content of your bowl.
Are you looking for guidance and support on your performance nutrition journey? Let the team here at ALN help! We have spots open in our 1:1 signature coaching program. Inside this program, you’ll get personalized help from our expert team of sports dietitians.
You don’t have to navigate fueling as an athlete on your own! Apply here today and start investing in your health and performance gains.
