Why Taco Bell’s ‘drive-thru diet’ could make you fatter
Oh, to be Christine! Taco Bell’s svelte, attractive, and presumably well-compensated new spokesperson makes the restaurant chain’s “drive-thru diet” and healthy-ish food options seem like a low-effort path to a lean figure.
Except that according to recent research, precisely the opposite may happen. In the October 2009 Journal of Consumer Research a study demonstrated that when healthy menu items were on a restaurant’s menu next to unhealthy ones, people actually made poorer food choices when compared to those presented with only unhealthy options. In other words, you’re more likely to order a double cheeseburger when there’s a salad on the menu, but when there’s not you’re more likely to go with a plain hamburger, hold the special sauce. The ironic finding was attributed to the possibility that simply considering a healthy option led people to believe that they had done their due diligence with regards to their meal and were now free to choose unhealthy items. That, or the possibility that a salad placed directly next to an order of fries looks less appetizing than if it stood alone.
So while I welcome healthier items on restaurant menus, I doubt the result will be a thinner America unless we own up to our tendency to make bad decisions even when presented with better options. And honestly? If you’re dieting, park the stupid car and walk inside the restaurant.
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I saw this commercial for the first time today and couldn’t believe it. I agree – it’s great that they’re providing slightly healthier options (although I certainly don’t hit up Taco Bell for health food), but the fact that they’re advocating eating more fast food to get healthy is pretty ridiculous.
I once entertained the idea of starting a fast-food chain that sold only healthy food, but the more I thought about it the more it seemed like a quick way to deplete my retirement savings. Still, I can dream…
In response to another comment. See in context »As a onetime owner of a vegan diet I can tell you that for most people merely thinking that they are eating healthy food is enough. Any “diet” that doesn’t address resetting one’s own appetite button is doomed. But having done that, both Taco Bell and Subway offer reasonably-good, -nutritious, low fat (under 30% fat) choices. I’m partial to TB’s Fresco bean burrito (good fiber) and to Subway’s sandwiches, hold the mayo, hold the cheese, hold the oil and vinegar . . . if you can.
And ride your bike through the drive-thru.
You just named my favorite fast-food options. And I’d second your point that any diet that offers hope of long-term success will require a fundamental change in a person’s appetite, among other things.
In response to another comment. See in context »Chances are good you dont know much about nutrition if you’re dieting at a fast food chain (or if your “dieting” at all.) These “healthy” fast food options- McDonalds low fat snack wraps, subway sandwiches, and TB’s fresco menu- are still loaded with unhealthy ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, and enriched wheat flower. Even if you cut your calorie intake its hard to slim down when everything you eat is fully digested in a couple hours and stored as fat. Appetite control is impossible because hunger is not voluntary. Only eating small-ish portions of nutritious food more often can control hunger. “Losing weight” is an absurd goal because the problem is not one’s weight, but their body composition (lots of fat, little lean tissue). Instead of subscribing to a diet people need to research nutrition.
Solid point. While the options are “healthy-ish” they’re certainly not what I’d consider health food.
In response to another comment. See in context »Where did you find the info that TB Fresco and Subway low-fat options are loaded with corn syrup and hydrogenated oils? A check of their websites show that their items are very low in sugars and have zero trans-fats. A TB Fresco bean burrito is very filling, 340 calories, and only 20% of its calories come from fat. It has a whopping 11 gm of fiber, nearly half the RDA. Along with a few carrots sticks and an OJ (thinned with some water), it makes a decent lunch.
In response to another comment. See in context »Subway low-fat options are filling, about 300 calories, adequate or better in fiber, Vit C, calcium, iron and very low in fat. Best of all, they taste good enough to satisfy one’s taste-appetite.
No, these aren’t health foods, but as fill-in meals they are not highly objectionable. The main caveats are the preservatives, nitrite, sulfite, bread additives, and for those whose blood pressure is salt-sensitive, the high sodium.
Turi, Here’s a good “express food” restaurant in CA that nearly meets your dream of a healthy fast food place. You order the food at a counter and they bring it to your table within 5 minutes. Baked blue corn chips with salsa instead of fries and ketchup . . . http://www.thenaturalcafe.com/
Tacobell Ingredient Statement, http://www.tacobell.com/nutrition/ingredient-statement/#nutrition-guide , asterisks are mine:
“Beans
Pinto Beans, *Partially Hydrogenated Soy Bean Oil* (With TBHQ And Citric Acid Added To Protect Flavor) , Salt
Salsa, Fiesta
Tomatoes, White Or Yellow Onions, Cilantro. Fiesta Salsa Dressing: Diced Green Chili (Green Chilies, Citric Acid), Vinegar, Water, Jalapeño Chili, *Partially Hydrogenated Corn Oil*, Salt, Garlic Powder, Xanthan Gum, and Less Than 0.1% Sodium Benzoate Added As A Preservative.
Tortilla, Flour
*Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour* (Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Soybean Oil, *Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil* (Contains One Or More Of The Following: Cottonseed Oil, Soybean Oil), with Mono- and Diglycerides, Sugar, Contains Less Than 2% Of The Following: Salt, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Fumaric Acid, Calcium Propionate and Potassium Sorbate (used as preservatives), Dough Conditioners (DATEM, Mono and Diglycerides, Enzymes)
Contains Wheat”
Come on, I dont need to go on. You will find enriched wheat flower is the #1 ingredient in subway’s wheat rolls. Research how insulin works and how it interacts with simple carbohydrates. Ignore what it says on the nutritional label and read the ingredients. Its not the worst food ever, but its not really healthy either.
In response to another comment. See in context »I, like Christine, have lost over 50 pounds and I attribute part of my success to Taco Bell and their fresco menu. I lost fifty+ pounds between May and September by reducing the amount of calories that went into my face. It’s hard for a fat junkfood lover to give up the fast food. Taco Bell, along with other chains that offer lower calorie options, were instrumental in keeping me from giving up. I would usually bring my lunch during the work week, but when I didn’t, I’d make a run for the border. Cleary, nutrition is most important. however, when in a pinch, it’s good to know what menu items you can eat out without consuming all your calories for the day. I wish that fast food restaurants would give you your calorie total anlong with the total price.
@littlejetties: Here’s your virtual high five! [smack] Awesome job on losing over 50 pounds! Not easy! And you’re absolutely right about the calorie count thing: there was another recent study that showed that when people were given the calorie counts on the menus along with the recommended calorie intake for the day, they not only chose better items for that meal, they chose better foods for the rest of the day.
In response to another comment. See in context »