The Fourth Meal?

I saw something rather unsettling the other day. Taco Bell is now promoting something they're calling "The Fourth Meal”.

You know, that free time after dinner and before breakfast? Well, the nice people at El Bell Del Taco have apparently decided that we need to add another meal to this otherwise wasted timespace.

Now, I’m not always the most health-conscious of eaters. I pack a couple more pounds around than I probably should, and I rarely look at a nutritional label to see how bad a food product might actually be. (Out of sight = ignorance is bliss.) And yes – after a hard night of living life to the fullest, sometimes a taco or burrito at 1:00 AM is just what the doctor ordered.

But isn’t it kind of creepy to think that Taco Bell is actually promoting that we shove 25% more food down our throats every day, to a country that is already overfed and on the verge of one great big heart attack/stroke/pants splitting? We’re the fattest nation on Earth, and already there are far too many people fighting obesity related diabetes or heart disease. So why is Taco Bell pushing the concept of eating even more on us? If they kill off their customer base, there won't be anyone left to buy their "food".

So why Taco Bell thinks it’s a good idea to promote eating MORE to a nation of pigs is a mystery to me.

And in case you’re wondering, I went to Yo Quiero You-Know-What’s homepage and used their magical nutritional information tab to look up exactly what their “4th Meal” food has in it.

½ Pound Combo Burrito (Regular style)
Calories – 470
Fat – 19 grams (29 percent of the U.S. R.D.A.)
Saturated Fat – 7 grams (36% RDA)
Cholesterol – 45 milligrams (15% RDA)
Sodium – 1,620 milligrams (a whopping 67% RDA)

Nachos BellGrande
Calories – 730
Fat – 41 grams (63 percent of the U.S. R.D.A.)
Saturated Fat – 19 grams (58% RDA)
Cholesterol – 35 milligrams (12% RDA)
Sodium – 1,500 milligrams (an amazing 63% RDA)

So let’s say that you’re driving past Taco Clogged Arteries at 1:30 AM and find yourself jonesing for a fourth meal. If you were to order this delicious yet risky combo, and just happened to wash it down with a Diet Pepsi (God forbid you add sugar to this diet!), you’re looking at 1,190 calories, 91% of your daily fat intake, 94% of your saturated fat, and a “Good Lord, Why Haven’t I Had A Stroke Yet” 130% of your daily salt intake. Bon appetit!

Ugh. No thanks, Taco Bell. I think I’ll skip the fourth meal. And maybe consider adding a salad for the second and third.