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Taco Bell menu

Flavor:

Power Menu Bowl-Veggie

Ingredients:

Seasoned Rice: Enriched Long Grain Rice, Water, Canola Oil, Seasoning (Maltodextrin, Salt, Natural Flavors, Tomato Powder, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Spices, Onion, Tomato, Red And Green Bell Peppers, Citric Acid, Paprika, Onion Powder, Paprika (Vc), Disodium Guanylate And Inosinate, Torula Yeast. [certified Vegan], Black Beans: Black Beans, Water, Onion, Canola Oil, Seasoning (Water, Dextrose, Salt, Natural Flavor, Corn Starch, Corn Oil, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Turmeric), Modified Corn Starch, Salt, Chili Powder, Garlic, Onion. [certified Vegan], Iceberg Lettuce: Fresh Iceberg Lettuce [certified Vegan], Guacamole: Avocado Pulp (Avocado, Lime Juice, Salt), Onions, Tomatoes, Sauce (Soybean Oil, Water, Salt, Distilled Vinegar, Cane Sugar, Garlic Powder, Disodium Inosinate And Guanylate, Dehydrated Onion, Spice, Citric Acid, Mustard, Modified Corn Starch, Sorbic Acid, Phosphoric Acid, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Xanthan Gum, Natural Flavor, Calcium Disodium Edta (P). [certified Vegan], Reduced-fat Sour Cream: Milk, Cream, Modified Corn Starch, Lactic Acid, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid, Sodium Phosphate, Natural Flavor, Cellulose Gel, Potassium Sorbate (P), Cellulose Gum, Guar Gum, Locust Bean Gum, Carrageenan, Vitamin A. Contains: Milk [certified Vegetarian], Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar Cheese (Cultured Pasteurized Milk, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto (Vc)), Anti-caking Agent. Contains: Milk [certified Vegetarian], Tomatoes: Fresh Tomatoes. [certified Vegan], Avocado Ranch Sauce: Soybean Oil, Cultured Buttermilk, Water, Avocado, Cage-free Egg Yolk, Vinegar, White Wine Vinegar, 2% Or Less Of: Salt, Garlic Juice, Sugar, Natural Flavor, Lemon And Lime Juice Concentrate, Spice, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Onion, Garlic, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Turmeric Oleoresin (Vc), Fruit Juice (Vc), Fruit Juice Concentrate (Vc), Disodium Inosinate And Disodium Guanylate, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Alginate, Potassium Sorbate (P), Sodium Benzoate (P), Calcium Disodium Edta (P). Contains: Milk, Egg [certified Vegetarian]

Rating: We Avoid

Ingredient Score:

The Taco Bell Power Menu Bowl-Veggie receives a 1/5 green leaf rating, signaling a low recommendation for those seeking cleaner food options. This dish falls short in several key areas of health and sustainability criteria.

The Power Menu Bowl-Veggie is not organic, contributing to its low score. The presence of genetically modified (GMO) ingredients further detracts from its health appeal. Added sugars, including sugar and citric acid, negatively impact the nutritional profile. More concerning are the additional sweeteners dextrose and cane sugar, which are considered more harmful.

The product contains a range of additives, some of which may pose health risks. Natural flavors, unspecified flavors, xanthan gum, potassium sorbate, and calcium disodium EDTA are included in the recipe, and these additives are generally recognized as potentially harmful. Particularly worrisome are carrageenan, propylene glycol, sodium benzoate, and maltodextrin, which are known for their adverse health effects.

Harmful oils are another issue with this menu item. Canola, soybean oil, and corn oil are used, and these are not favored in cleaner eating protocols due to their processing methods and potential health implications.

The Power Menu Bowl-Veggie also features a mix of vegan and vegetarian ingredients, such as seasoned rice, black beans, iceberg lettuce, guacamole, fresh tomatoes, and a variety of sauces. However, the inclusion of reduced-fat sour cream, cheddar cheese, and avocado ranch sauce, which contain dairy and egg, restricts this option to those who consume animal products.

Overall, the Taco Bell Power Menu Bowl-Veggie is rated poorly due to its lack of organic certification, GMO ingredients, added sugars, harmful additives, and oils. While it does offer some plant-based ingredients, the overall composition does not align with the criteria for cleaner, healthier food options. Consumers are advised to consider these factors when making food choices.