Are Taco Shells High In Syns? How Many Can I Have On Slimming World?

If you're looking to have a Mexican night at home, it can be easily done on the slimming world plan as long as your tracking your syns.

Taco shells on average have about 3 syns in per shell, making them low in syns, you should still watch what you fill them with however and how many you eat to avoid going above your syn allowance. 

We've composed a short guide below which will cover how many tacos you can have, some general syn values according to brands and an SW friendly Mexican night taco recipe to give you some cooking inspo.

How Many Taco Shells Can I Eat On SW?

At 3 syns per shell, you could eat up to 5 taco shells on the slimming world plan before meeting your daily syn allowance, you should, however, make room for any additional toppings such as cheese or sour cream all contribute to your syns.

Most of the time these shells are low in syns due to thin crisps like size, so you would need to account for at least two or three for them to become a meal which is around 6-9 syns.

Taco Shell Syn Values

Although all taco shells have similar syns, they can vary according to the brand, so we've listed a few popular ones below to help you out.

• Old El Paso 12 Taco Shells 156G - 3.5 syns.
• Tesco 12 Crunchy Taco Shells 150G - 3 syns.
• Sainsbury's Crunchy Taco Shells x12 150g - 3 syns.
• Santa Maria Taco Shells 135g - 2.5 syns. 

How Do Taco Shells Compare To Tortillas?

Many people now opt for tortillas instead of tacos for their Mexican night, but is there a huge syn difference between the two? Well, the average taco shell has three syns and the average tortilla wrap has 9 syns, so opting for a shell might serve you better.

You can find lower syn tortillas such as weight watchers wraps too.

Our SW Taco Filling Recipe

Now we know our taco syns, let's move on to the filling, our recipe below is SW friendly and syn free!

Ingredients

• 500g of lean beef mince 5%.
• 400ml of beef stock.
• Two pinches of cumin and chilli powder.
• One tsp of oregano and garlic powder.
• Tomato puree.
• One onion.

Method

1. Chop your onion and add to your frying pan, fry for about ten minutes then add the beef and allow it to brown off.
2. Add all your spice in, fry the beef for a few minutes then add in the stock and tomato puree and stir.
3. Bring the mix to a boil and simmer off for 20 minutes until the liquid is gone.

Final Words

Overall, taco shells are not high in syns, coming in at 3 syns per shell, meaning two or three would set you back between 6-9 syns. We suggest being careful with your taco toppings such as cream and cheese since these can also add extra syns.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are syn values calculated?

Syn values are calculated using a formula based on calories, saturated fat and sugar content per serving. They’re not the same as calories — a product can be low in calories but higher in syns if it’s high in sugar or fat. Always check the official Slimming World app for the most accurate and up-to-date syn values.

Do syn values change?

Yes. When manufacturers reformulate their products, the syn value can go up or down. This is why we recommend double-checking with the Slimming World app or your consultant, especially if a product’s packaging has changed recently.

How many syns should I have per day?

Most Slimming World members work with 5 to 15 syns per day. Your consultant will advise on the right amount for you. The key is to use your syns on the things you enjoy most — whether that’s a chocolate bar, a glass of wine, or a packet of crisps.