Although salads are often low in carbohydrates and calories, the chopped salad at Portillo's contains considerable amounts of each. For this reason, carefully assess the calorie content of this salad, particularly if you're dieting.
Calories
According to LIVESTRONG's food database MyPlate, the Portillo's chopped salad contains about 800 calories. If you base your diet on the suggested daily intake of 2,000 calories, this salad provides nearly 40 percent of your daily calories.
The MayoClinic notes it would take more than four hours of walking to burn off that many calories; while MyPlate estimates that a 160 pound person would have to run for about an hour at an 11 minute per mile pace to burn off this meal.
Carbohydrates
MyPlate notes that one serving of Portillo's chopped salad contains 19 grams of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates provide your body with energy, and the National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health suggest consuming 40 to 60 percent of your total calories from carbohydrates.
Protein
Portillo's chopped salad is also high in protein, with 47 grams, according to MyPlate. Protein contains amino acids, the building blocks of muscle and other bodily tissues. The Harvard School of Public Health suggests consuming 20 to 25 percent of your total calories from protein.
Fat
Portillo's chopped salad contains a whopping 59 grams of fat, with 19 grams of saturated fat, according to MyPlate. Although saturated fat is unhealthy, the MayoClinic notes that unsaturated fats have benefits such as reducing your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. If you are counting calories or watching your fat intake, this might not be the best meal choice for you.
More About MyPlate
The free LIVESTRONG MyPlate calorie tracker app for iPhone and Android has helped millions of people lose weight the healthy way — by getting support from an active community as they track their eating and exercise. Consistently a top-rated app, MyPlate offers the latest technology in an easy-to-use tool that includes millions of foods and recipes, 5-minute in-app workouts and a robust support community.
