Taco Bell's "Nutrition" Push

My mom sent me and my sister, Christa, and email that contained a link to this article published by The Kansas City Star.  Basically, Taco Bell isn't changing its entire image.  However, it is going to pilot a "Power Protein" menu to try and target men (especially men) and women in their 20s and 30s who care more about nutrition.  On this menu, the burritos or bowls will have double meat (chicken or beef) as well as such toppings as corn, guacamole, and reduced fat sour cream.  I am not a nutritionist. I don't claim to be any kind of expert.  I think my opinion is valid though because most people consuming these "nutritional" items are regular people like you and me.  My first and foremost concern about this Power Protein menu is the QUALITY of ingredients.  You want double meat? Great. It's probably meat that is pumped with hormones and antibiotics. I wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole.  Moving on. 

NOTE: This menu will be piloted in Ohio. It MAY reach the menu in 2014.

I went a step further to be sure that I was thinking correctly.  I went to Taco Bell's website (which thankfully has a "Nutrition" link on the homepage).  Click on this.  It takes you to the nutrition page.  I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES.  Under the heading "Ingredient Statement" is says, "Each and every item contains high-quality ingredients."  I called bullshit on that before I even clicked.  Please look at the ingredient list for Taco Bell. It will make you never want to take your child OR YOURSELF to Taco Bell again!!!!

To tie this back to the Power Protein menu, look at this ingredient list for USDA Select Marinated Grilled Steak.
        

Beef, Water, Seasoning [Modified Potato and Corn Starch, Salt, Tomato Powder, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Green Bell Pepper Powder, Onion Powder, Carrageenan, Spices, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Maltodextrin (Corn, Potato, Tapioca), Dehydrated Worcestershire Sauce (Distilled Vinegar, Molasses, Corn Syrup, Salt, Carmel Color, Garlic Powder, Sugar, Spices, Tamarind, Natural Flavor), Citric Acid, Potassium Chloride, Trehalose, Natural Flavors, Inactivated Yeast, And Less Than 2% Soybean Oil, And Silicon Dioxide Added As Processing Aids], Potassium Phosphates, Sodium Phosphates, Bromelin-Salt Blend (Salt, Bromelin, Propylene Glycol As Anti-dusting Agent). Sauce: Water, Seasoning [Tomato Powder, Caramel Color, Green Bell Pepper Powder, Onion Powder, Maltodextrin (Corn, Potato, Tapioca), Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Garlic Powder, Sugar, Salt, Soybean Oil, Spices, Dehydrated Worcestershire Sauce (Distilled Vinegar, Molasses, Corn Syrup, Salt, Caramel Color, Garlic Powder, Sugar, Spices, Tamarind, Natural Flavor), Citric Acid, Trehalose, Natural Flavors, Inactivated Yeast, And Less Than 2% Silicon Dioxide Added As A Processing Aid].

 

Are you kidding me.?  This is not okay.  So, I was right. It's the ingredients that are the real problem. Nice try, Taco Bell.  Too bad you and other fast food places will continue to sell a lot of food because we Americans are idiots.  But I'm not.

 

Back to the men and women in their 20s and 30s who care more about their nutrition....These are pseudo health nuts.  The real healthy people know not to eat anything off of your menu.