Nachos, beef or pork
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Nachos, beef or pork, are a hearty, savory dish of crispy corn tortilla chips topped with seasoned ground meat, melted cheese, and often beans, jalapeños, and other garnishes. Each bite delivers a satisfying crunch followed by a rich, spicy, and umami-packed flavor profile. Nutritionally, they offer a substantial amount of protein and fats for energy, but are calorie-dense.
Calorie split: 16% protein · 30% carbs · 54% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love nachos for their irresistible combination of salty, cheesy, spicy, and savory flavors, and the fun, customizable nature of loading up a plate. They are a social food, deeply tied to sports bars, movie nights, and casual gatherings, embodying a spirit of indulgent sharing.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The dish is often high in sodium, saturated fat, and calories, which can contribute to blood pressure and blood-sugar spikes, especially from refined carbs and sugary toppings. To counteract this, opt for a smaller portion, load up on fresh pico de gallo or guacamole for fiber and healthy fats, and pair with a side salad to increase volume without excessive calories.
Key benefits
- High in protein for muscle maintenance and satiety
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates
- Contains dietary fats for nutrient absorption
- Good source of iron and zinc from the meat
- Can be a vehicle for vegetables like peppers and tomatoes
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The dish was invented by Ignacio 'Nacho' Anaya in 1943 at the Victory Club restaurant in Piedras Negras, Mexico, just across the border from Texas, when he improvised a snack for a group of American military wives.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 51.8 g |
| Energy | 265 kcal |
| Protein | 10.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 16.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 19.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.4 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.32 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 65.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.3 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 29.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 139 mg |
| Potassium, K | 145 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 429 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.3 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.06 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 9.3 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.09 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.11 mg |
| Niacin | 2.0 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.17 mg |
| Folate, total | 13.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 6.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 7.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 17.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 30.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.78 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 10.0 ug |
| Retinol | 10.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 1.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 2.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.8 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 10.5 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 4.0 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.27 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.4 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.92 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 5.8 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.23 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 5.5 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 4.7 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 4.3 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.30 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 30.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Fast foods, nachos, with cheese — USDA does not publish this profile for Nachos.
| Tryptophan | 0.04 g |
| Threonine | 0.16 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.19 g |
| Leucine | 0.52 g |
| Lysine | 0.16 g |
| Methionine | 0.09 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.23 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.14 g |
| Valine | 0.25 g |
| Arginine | 0.21 g |
| Histidine | 0.14 g |
| Alanine | 0.29 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.34 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.92 g |
| Glycine | 0.15 g |
| Proline | 0.53 g |
| Serine | 0.22 g |
| Hydroxyproline | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Are nachos a complete meal?
They can be, if loaded with protein (meat, beans) and vegetables. However, they are often more of an appetizer or snack due to their high fat and sodium content.
How can I make nachos healthier at home?
Use baked corn chips, lean ground turkey or black beans, reduce cheese, and top with fresh veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and a dollop of Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
What is the main difference between nachos and tostadas?
Nachos use small, triangular chips often covered in melted cheese and toppings, while tostadas are larger, flat, fried or toasted tortillas that serve as a base for layered toppings.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.65 kcal/g · 16% calories from protein · 1.4 g fiber · 0.3 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.96 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.