Gordita Becomes Part of Gor-diet

Taco Bell diet tries to make fast food a healthy alternative

I think we need a new diet: The iconic Taco Bell dog, pictured above, represented an old brand identity for the fast-food chain which as recently adopted a “Healthy Alternative” in the Drive-thru Diet. Photo Courtesy MCT

Jumping on the national bandwagon to promote healthy eating, the fast food restaurant Taco Bell is promoting a new “Drive-Thru Diet.”

The menu, which features seven items with less than nine grams of fat, is being backed by the franchise’s new spokeswoman Christine Dougherty, who lost 54 pounds by following the plan.

Fast food establishments claiming that their food is healthy is nothing new, and this campaign by Taco Bell is as deceptive as it is enchanting.

No matter the establishment, one can eat fast food and still lose weight. What is not being so avidly advertised by the fast food giant is that Dougherty also made a conscious effort to reduce her overall calorie intake to 1,250 daily to drop the pounds.

Despite what it is that one is eating, so long as one intakes fewer calories (a unit describing the energy contained in a given food item) and expends more energy, they will lose weight.

Eating 1,250 calories-worth of cheddar cheese per day and hitting the gym will result in weight loss. Though, one may find themselves vitamin-deficient and with sky-high cholesterol levels (see the “Atkins Diet” for more on that problem).

However, I think it is disingenuous for any fast food establishment, especially one that includes 1,000-calorie Volcano Nachos on its menu, to promote the idea that they care about their customers’ health.

The fact of the matter is that a business will advertise itself in any way that it can to appeal to more people. Since its consumers are currently keen on the idea of being able to lose weight while still indulging in convenience food, Taco Bell is trying to capitalize on this situation with the “Drive-Thru Diet.”

Even if one arrives at the drive-thru with the best of intentions, such as getting one grilled-steak soft taco for 160 calories, it is easy to be misled into thinking some of the other food items are equally as healthful, like the Fiesta Taco Salad for a whopping 770 calories.

The new “Drive-Thru Diet” by Taco Bell is just another way that this company is trying to line its pockets. If the franchise were truly concerned for its customers’ health, most of its menu items would come with a warning sticker and a jump rope.

“Caution, Volcano Nachos contain 95 percent of the FDA-recommended fat intake for a person on a 2,000 calorie diet. Side effects of Volcano Nachos include increased risk of heart attack and increased size of butt.”