Ok, I’m confused.  For those that know me that really isn’t news.  However, this is different than my normal state of confusion. 

First we had Jared.  While I’m sure Jared is a nice guy, he isn’t exactly considered a sex symbol.  He lost 245 pounds on the “Subway Diet” which is an amazing accomplishment.  He did it in one year by eating two Subway subs every day and exercising.

Subway made a lot of money off of Jared by becoming known as a “healthy alternative” to fast food.  It was a winning formula!  In a country with an obesity problem like we have in the US, anything that gives a glimmer of hope that we won’t have to alter our lifestyles dramatically and still lose weight is sure to catch on.

You could almost hear the clock ticking while waiting for the next “Jared” to burst onto the scene.  We had to wait a while but if history serves as any indicator, we probably have the next Jared in the form of Christine.

Taco Bell has thrown its hat into the healthy alternative food ring by bringing us the Christine and her not-as-incredible, but much hotter, 54 pound weight loss.  So, you may be asking where I got confused.  Well here it is.

The URL of the website for Christine and the new “Fresco” (that’s Spanish for cool and fresh) menu is DriveThruDiet.com.  On that page, you’ll see Christine and all the snazzy marketing that you would expect.  Heck, you’ll even see Christine in a bikini.  I’m not going to hyperlink that so I don’t lose the guys here.  Then, at the bottom, there is this disclaimer:

Drive-Thru-Diet® is not a weight-loss program. For a healthier lifestyle, pay attention to total calorie and fat intake and regular exercise. Taco Bell’s Fresco Menu can help with calorie reductions of 20 to 100 per item compared to corresponding products on our regular menu. Not a low calorie food.

Wha?????

Now, I obviously know that a “diet” doesn’t have to be a weight loss “diet” but, let’s face it, when you hear the word diet, you think weight loss, right?  It’s the first of a new year and new decade.  Do you think it is any coincidence this comes just when many make weight loss resolutions?

Neither do I.

Of course, I’m not saying they’re doing anything wrong, necessarily, but are they being misleading?  Absolutely.  After all, it’s a diet that’s not a diet!

They claim that their “Fresco” menu keeps the fat under 9 grams per serving.  The calorie content is also a little bit lower…a very little bit…than the normal menu items.

By now, I would hope that most would know that fat doesn’t make you fat.  However, by lowering the fat content, the calorie content is naturally lowered since there are 9 calories in every gram of fat (4 for protein and carbs).

Regardless, I see them hitting it big with Christine.  She’s an attractive woman, willing to pose in a bathing suit, and endorse their products.

Let’s just hope Subway doesn’t slap a speedo on Jared in an effort to compete.