Taco Bell Takes Heat Over 'Drive-Thru Diet' Menu By Emily Bryson York

1. Taco Bell Takes Heat Over 'Drive-Thru Diet' MenuBy Emily Bryson York Courtney Dalke Genevieve Nunez Lauren Mendenhall

2. Taco Bell’s New Ad Strategy • Taking a cue from Subway’s Jared, Taco Bell introduces Christine Dougherty

3. How she did it • Christine lost 54 pounds over a two-year period by replacing her usual fast-food lunch or dinner with an item from Taco Bell's Fresco menu • Cut her daily caloric intake from 1,750 to 1,250 per day • Exercise • According to Christine, her "results aren't typical, but for me, they're fantastic!”

4. What is the Fresco Menu? • Seven items such as a regular bean burrito or chicken soft taco • Replaces salsa for cheese or sour cream • Taco Bell claims “it isn't a weight-loss program”

5. Why Christine? • Wrote a letter to Taco Bell detailing her weight loss journey • Taco Bell Spokesman Rob Poetsch said “Her story is a great example of how making better choices can inspire many”

6. Hot blog topic • Much of the blog posts about this campaign have been negative • “You know things have gotten a little out of control when even Taco Bell hops on the ol' weight loss bandwagon.” -Post from a blogger on Jezebel • According to Zeta buzz, Taco Bell’s buzz rating has dropped 6 points after launching their “drive-thru diet” • Posts about Taco Bell increased, but so did the negativity

7. Street Cred • Taco Bell has brought a registered dietician from the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers on board to lend credibility to the effort • “The reality is most Americans are on-the-go and will eat foods purchased through a drive-thru an average of 10 times a month,” said Ruth Carey, the Blazers' nutritionist

8. From Taco Bell “It's our hope that people who are looking to eat fewer calories and fat will hear about our new menu and Fresco-style foods and learn how they can fit them into their lifestyles.”