While you've been out doing your thing, workin', eating burritos, cooking up some nice dinners, Taco Bell has been quietly plotting their takeover of the fast food world. And unless you're a die-hard fan of the 'Bell, you may not have noticed their evolution into becoming a prime spot for the health-conscious taco lover.
You'd think that a place that serves up Doritos in the form of a taco shell may not be your best bet for a personal-trainer approved meal, but Taco Bell has been capitalizing on one thing: variety.
Whether you're in the mood to devour some Nachos Supreme (we all have those days) or are sticking to your #dietgoals, Taco Bell has expanded their menu choices to accommodate all types of diets.
According to Foodbeast, the changes can be mostly attributed to the company's dietician and product developer who has made steps toward using cage-free eggs, eliminating artificial ingredients, and dropped the sodium content of all menu items by 15%.
Along with the healthy changes, Taco Bell has also introduced some classically sinful meals as well, like the Quesalupa and the Waffle Taco. Which makes a statement: the fast food chain can compensate both your healthy desires, as well as your guilty pleasures.
"We just really encourage people to customize to however it fits their lifestyle," Nelson told Business Insider.
Taco Bell has divided their menu into different sections, creating an option for any lifestyle. There's a high-protein "Cantina" menu, a low calorie "Fresco" menu, and even a vegetarian menu certified by the American Vegetarian Association. The vegetarian menu also enlists some vegan options, which can easily be found on the Taco Bell app.
But what's the most interesting part of Taco Bell's venture into the world of health, is the fact that they are being pretty low-key about the whole thing, which is why their new menus may not have been on your radar. The 'Bell is simply choosing to have the healthier options be available for those who want them, whether it be in the physical restaurant or if patrons are checking their online profile or using the Taco Bell app.
"Us [Taco Bell] touting ourselves as a health halo – it's not authentic and it's not real," Taco Bell spokesperson Alex Boyle told Foodbeast.
The company doing their normal thing, while positioning these options as a choice, allows the brand to gain consumer trust than to shove it all down their throat at once. Plus, by pertaining to both healthy-minded individuals and those who just want a quick fast food meal, Taco Bell puts themselves in the same category as the classic joints like Burger King, Wendy's, or Del Taco, while simultaneously opening themselves up to be competition for "healthier" fast-food places, like Chipolte.
Follow Delish on Instagram.