Experts compare nutritional benefits of tacos and sliders and offer healthy prep tips

At game-day gatherings, casual backyard hangs and blessed hours alike, tacos and sliders are often beforehand and halfway connected summertime menus.

But erstwhile you're trying to eat healthily, which is the smarter choice?

"Tacos and sliders are fun, handheld repast options, but their nutritional contented tin alteration importantly depending connected the ingredients, information sizes, mentation methods and cooking techniques, specified arsenic high-heat grilling oregon frying," Michelle Routhenstein, a New York-based cardiology dietitian at Entirely Nourished, told Fox News Digital.

TOP 5 FAST-FOOD BURGERS FOR YOUR HEALTH, SAYS NEW STUDY

Tacos and sliders are convenient, versatile and affluent successful flavor, added Trista K. Best, a registered dietitian successful Georgia — but erstwhile it comes to nutrition, they tin alteration greatly.

"To support either enactment connected the healthier side, opt for thin proteins, whole-grain buns and shells, and nutrient-dense caller toppings," Best told Fox News Digital.

Dietitians person shared insights into making sliders and tacos healthier. (iStock)

Tacos' nutritional profile

A emblematic taco astatine a restaurant contains astir 150 calories, 3 grams of saturated fat, 250 milligrams of sodium and 6 grams of protein, according to Routhenstein.

These numbers tin alteration wide based connected whether you're eating astatine a fast-food joint oregon a much ceremonial restaurant, oregon if you're making them astatine location oregon picking up pre-made frozen tacos to vigor successful the microwave. 

10 BEST DIETS OF 2025 AS CHOSEN BY NUTRITION EXPERTS

To marque tacos healthier, usage soft-corn tortillas, said Best, which connection much fibre with less refined carbohydrates than flour tortillas.

She besides suggested replacing fried meats with thin cuts of chicken, food oregon beans to trim the saturated abdominous content.

Tacos tin marque for a balanced meal, from the high-fiber tortilla to the thin macromolecule options.  (iStock)

Using fresh, steadfast toppings — specified arsenic avocado, salsa and vegetables — increases the nutrient density of tacos, Best added.

If ordering prepared oregon prepackaged tacos, opt for those with minimal amounts of sodium, preservatives and artificial ingredients, the experts advised.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

"Tacos tin beryllium a balanced repast erstwhile utilizing a whole-wheat oregon high-fiber tortilla filled with thin proteins similar grilled chicken, beans and fish, loaded with caller veggies, and topped with avocado," Routhenstein said.

She cautioned that tacos tin descent into little steadfast territory if they're filled with high-fat options similar fried meat, food oregon refined flour tortillas.

Sliders' nutritional profile

A emblematic slider contains astir 160 calories, 4 grams of saturated fat, 250 milligrams of sodium and 9 grams of protein, according to Routhenstein.

There are ways to marque sliders a spot healthier than the accepted benignant that are often served astatine outdoor barbecues. (iStock)

"Sliders are often precocious successful calories, fats and sodium, particularly erstwhile cooked with fatty meats oregon topped with sauces and cheese," she told Fox News Digital.

As with tacos, to make them healthier, she suggested choosing thin proteins similar grilled chickenhearted and being mindful of information sizes and high-fat condiments.

For much Lifestyle articles, sojourn www.foxnews.com/lifestyle

Since accepted sliders are made with achromatic bread, which is precocious successful refined carbohydrates, Best said choosing whole-grain buns oregon lettuce wraps makes for a much nutritious alternative. 

So which is healthier?

Both tacos and sliders person the imaginable for containing excessive calories and saturated fats. 

With immoderate thoughtful readying and information control, however, the 2 dishes person the imaginable to acceptable into a healthy diet.

If prepared thoughtfully and with information power successful mind, some options tin beryllium steadfast choices. (iStock)

"While tacos and sliders astatine a edifice whitethorn person akin nutrition facts, tacos person large imaginable to beryllium nutrient-dense and steadfast erstwhile you prime the close ingredients," Routhenstein said. 

Best leans toward tacos arsenic well. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"Overall, tacos are apt the healthier enactment betwixt the two," she said. 

"This is mostly owed to the easiness with which they tin beryllium made with fresher, full and leaner ingredients."