The Truth About Calories in Extreme Pita Freestyle Grilled Chicken Pitas: Everything You Need to Know

Hey there, health-conscious foodies! Today I’m diving deep into something I’ve been obsessing over lately – those delicious Freestyle Grilled Chicken Pitas from Extreme Pita. If you’re anything like me, you probably wanna know exactly what you’re putting in your body when you grab one of these tasty wraps So I did all the nutritional detective work for ya, and I’m sharing everything I discovered about the calories and nutrition facts of this popular menu item

Quick Nutrition Snapshot

Before we get into the nitty-gritty details, here’s the quick lowdown on what you’re getting in one Extreme Pita Freestyle Grilled Chicken Pita:

• Calories: 359
• Total Fat: 5g (8% DV)
• Carbs: 53g (18% DV)
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 7g (25-28% DV)

What’s Actually In These Pitas?

I was curious about what’s actually in these pitas, and according to CalorieKing, the Freestyle Pitas include:

• Pita bread
• Romaine lettuce
• Tomato
• Cucumber
• Sauteed mushrooms
• Red onion
• Green pepper
• Grilled chicken (obviously!)

This combo gives you a pretty balanced meal with a good mix of protein, complex carbs, and veggies. No wonder they taste so good!

Breaking Down the Macros

Let’s get a bit more specific about the macronutrient breakdown. This is super important if your tracking your daily intake or following a specific diet plan.

Macronutrient Percentage Breakdown

• Carbs: 57% of total calories
• Fat: 12% of total calories
• Protein: 30% of total calories

This breakdown shows that these pitas are primarily carb-based (thanks to the pita bread) but they also pack a serious protein punch from the grilled chicken. The relatively low fat content makes them a pretty lean option compared to many other fast food choices.

Detailed Nutritional Analysis

Alright, now let’s really get into the details. Here’s the complete nutritional breakdown for one Extreme Pita Freestyle Grilled Chicken Pita (which weighs approximately 374g or 13.2 oz):

There’s some additional nutritional info available from the CalorieKing database that wasn’t listed on Eat This Much:

Health Benefits of Extreme Pita Freestyle Grilled Chicken Pitas

Based on the nutritional profile, these pitas offer several health benefits:

1. High Protein Content: With 28g of protein (about 50% of your Daily Value), these pitas are excellent for muscle recovery and keeping you full longer.

2. Good Source of Fiber: Providing 7g of fiber (25-28% of your Daily Value), they contribute significantly to the recommended daily intake of 25-30g. This helps with digestion and keeps you feeling satisfied.

3. Low in Fat: Only 5g of total fat makes this a relatively lean meal option.

4. Vitamin-Rich: The veggies provide important vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin C.

5. Zero Trans Fat: These pitas contain no trans fats, which is great news for heart health.

Potential Concerns

While these pitas have many nutritional benefits, there are a couple things to be aware of:

Sodium Content

At 892mg of sodium (37-39% of your daily recommended intake), these pitas are relatively high in salt. This is pretty typical for restaurant food, but something to be mindful of if your watching your sodium intake or have high blood pressure.

Sugar Content

There’s 7g of sugar in each pita. This isn’t extremely high, but it’s something to be aware of if your monitoring your sugar consumption.

How Long Would It Take to Burn Off These Calories?

Ever wonder how much exercise it would take to work off that pita? According to CalorieKing, here’s how long it would take for a 35-year-old female who is 5’7″ tall and weighs 144 lbs to burn off the 359 calories in an Extreme Pita Freestyle Grilled Chicken Pita:

• Swimming: 30 minutes
• Jogging: 41 minutes
• Cycling: 55 minutes
• Walking: 100 minutes

Of course, these times will vary depending on your own weight, age, and metabolism, but they give you a general idea.

How Does It Compare to Other Fast Food Options?

I think its important to put the 359 calories in perspective. Let’s compare the Extreme Pita Freestyle Grilled Chicken Pita to some other popular fast food items:

• McDonald’s Big Mac: ~550 calories
• Subway 6″ Turkey Breast Sub: ~280 calories
• Chipotle Chicken Burrito: ~1,000+ calories
• Panera Bread Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich: ~440 calories

As you can see, the Extreme Pita option sits comfortably in the middle range – not the lightest option available, but definitely not a calorie bomb either.

Tips for Making Your Extreme Pita Freestyle Grilled Chicken Pita Even Healthier

If you want to customize your order to make it even more nutritious, here are some ideas:

1. Ask for extra veggies – More vegetables means more fiber, vitamins, and minerals without adding many calories.

2. Go easy on any sauces or dressings – The nutrition facts above don’t specify if any sauces are included, but sauces can add significant calories and sodium.

3. Consider a half portion – If your watching your calorie intake, consider splitting it with a friend or saving half for later.

4. Add avocado – While this will increase the calorie count slightly, it adds healthy fats that can help with nutrient absorption.

5. Skip any add-ons like cheese or bacon – These can significantly increase the calorie, fat, and sodium content.

Is the Extreme Pita Freestyle Grilled Chicken Pita Good for Different Diets?

Let’s break down how this menu item fits into various popular diets:

Low-Carb Diets

With 53g of carbs (46g net carbs), this isn’t ideal for strict low-carb or keto diets. However, it could potentially fit into a moderate low-carb plan if you adjust your other meals accordingly.

High-Protein Diets

The 28g of protein makes this a good choice for those focused on protein intake, like athletes or people trying to build muscle.

Low-Fat Diets

At just 5g of fat, this fits well into low-fat dietary approaches.

Mediterranean Diet

The combination of whole grains, lean protein, and vegetables aligns nicely with Mediterranean diet principles.

When Might an Extreme Pita Freestyle Grilled Chicken Pita Be a Good Choice?

1. Post-Workout Meal: The combination of protein and carbs makes it a decent option for refueling after exercise.

2. Lunch On-the-Go: When you need something quick but don’t want to sacrifice nutrition.

3. Balanced Dinner Option: When paired with a side salad or vegetable soup, it could make a well-rounded dinner.

When to Maybe Skip It

1. If Your Watching Sodium: Nearly 40% of your daily sodium in one meal is quite high.

2. On Very Low-Carb Diets: The carb count is too high for keto or strict low-carb plans.

3. If You Have Specific Dietary Restrictions: Always check with the restaurant about potential allergens or cross-contamination issues.

My Personal Experience

I gotta say, I’ve had these pitas several times, and they’re pretty satisfying! What I love most is that I don’t get that heavy, sluggish feeling afterward like I do with some other fast food options. The protein content keeps me full for hours, and I appreciate that they don’t skimp on the veggies.

Last week, I grabbed one after my gym session, and it was the perfect post-workout meal – filling but not too heavy, with a good balance of protein and carbs to help with recovery.

The Bottom Line on Extreme Pita Freestyle Grilled Chicken Pitas

At 359 calories with a good balance of macronutrients, the Extreme Pita Freestyle Grilled Chicken Pita is a relatively healthy fast food option. It’s particularly strong in the protein and fiber departments, which help with satiety and digestion. The main concern is the sodium content, but that’s typical of most restaurant foods.

If your looking for a quick meal that won’t completely derail your nutrition goals, this is definitely worth considering. Just be mindful of your sodium intake for the rest of the day if you choose this option.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in an Extreme Pita Freestyle Grilled Chicken Pita?

There are 359 calories in one pita.

Is the Extreme Pita Freestyle Grilled Chicken Pita high in protein?

Yes! With 28g of protein (about 50% of your daily value), it’s an excellent source of protein.

Is this a good option for weight loss?

At 359 calories with good protein and fiber content, it can be incorporated into a weight loss plan, but portion control and overall daily intake still matter.

How much sodium is in an Extreme Pita Freestyle Grilled Chicken Pita?

It contains 892mg of sodium, which is about 37-39% of the recommended daily limit.

Can I eat this on a low-carb diet?

With 53g of total carbs and 46g of net carbs, it’s not suitable for strict low-carb diets but might fit into more moderate approaches if you plan accordingly.

Is the Extreme Pita Freestyle Grilled Chicken Pita healthy?

Relatively speaking, yes. It offers a good balance of macronutrients with substantial protein and fiber, though the sodium content is something to be aware of.

Conclusion

So there you have it – everything you need to know about the calories and nutrition in Extreme Pita’s Freestyle Grilled Chicken Pitas! With 359 calories, 28g of protein, and 7g of fiber, they’re a pretty solid choice when your looking for a quick meal that won’t completely throw off your nutrition goals.