Is Cava healthier than Chipotle?

When it comes to Cava and Chipotle food chains, you should note that both offer fresh, nutrient-rich ingredients, which are healthier with the potential to create healthy or calorie-dense meals. However, whether both restaurants are healthy will greatly depend on how you customize your meal at either restaurant.

So, our guide today will help you understand how best to customize your meals at Cava and Chipotle for a healthier dish more than you ever thought. At the end, we will also give a verdict on which restaurant we highly recommend for healthier meals.

• How healthy is the food chain Cava?
• What cereal is low in sodium and sugar?
• Is Cava food a healthy option for weight loss?
• What cereal is high-fiber and low-sugar for healthy?
• Are breakfast tacos high in protein?

How to customize Cava and Chipotle for healthier meals

By customizing your meals thoughtfully at both Cava and Chipotle, you can enjoy healthier, flavorful, and nutrient-rich options while staying on track with your health and fitness goals following the tips below:

1. Start with a Low-Calorie Base

• At Cava, choose a greens base like spinach, arugula, or super greens instead of grains. If you want grains, opt for a half-greens, half-grains mix for balance.
• At Chipotle, skip the burrito or tacos and go for a salad bowl with greens as the base to reduce carbs and calories.

2. Prioritize Lean Proteins

At both, select lean proteins like grilled chicken or plant-based options such as falafel (Cava) or sofritas (Chipotle). Avoid fried or heavily seasoned proteins like carnitas or barbacoa to manage fat and sodium intake.

3. Load Up on Vegetables

Both restaurants offer plenty of fresh and roasted vegetables to boost nutrients and volume. Add options like roasted peppers, cucumbers, or tomatoes at Cava, and fajita veggies, lettuce, and fresh tomato salsa at Chipotle.

4. Be Cautious with Spreads and Dressings

• At Cava, limit calorie-dense spreads like hummus, tzatziki, or harissa, and use dressings like Lemon Herb Tahini sparingly by asking for them on the side.
• At Chipotle, control your portions of guacamole, sour cream, and cheese, or skip them altogether to keep your meal lighter.

5. Mind the Carbs

• At Cava, avoid extras like pita bread or chips that add unnecessary carbs and calories.
• At Chipotle, choose brown rice over white for added fiber, or opt for a half-rice, half-bean mix to balance carbs and protein.

6. Watch for Sodium

Both chains have sodium-heavy ingredients like pickled onions, olives, seasoned meats, and salsas. Use these sparingly or skip them to avoid excessive sodium intake.

7. Skip the Extras

Sides like pita chips (Cava) and tortilla chips or queso (Chipotle) are high in calories and offer little nutritional value. Leave them out for a healthier meal.

Which is healthier?

Cava can often be considered healthier than Chipotle if you’re focused on lower-calorie, lower-carb meals with Mediterranean flavors. However, both can be equally healthy depending on how you build your meal. They offer you the flexibility to align with your health goals—it all depends on your choices!