Taco Bell has made billions selling Americans who want to get full on the cheap tacos with unhealthy names like Gordita, Double-Stuff, and Doritos Locos. When most people think about a calorie-conscious diet, this unapologetically-inauthentic Mexican cuisine isn’t what first comes to mind. But over the past decade, Taco Bell has quietly become one of America’s healthiest fast-food chains.
The bar for being labeled “healthy” in the drive-thru space isn’t much to brag about, but Taco Bell has made a bigger commitment to providing low-calorie options than its competitors. Over the past few years, Taco Bell has released a Fresca menu that boasts 140-calorie tacos and recently debuted a high-protein “Cantina” menu as well.
The chain has reduced sodium in its food by 15 percent since 2008 and is looking to drop another 10 percent in the near future. Plus, for the veggies out there, its vegetarian menu is certified by the American Vegetarian Association. Although the company has made great strides to appeal to healthier eaters, you won’t see Taco Bell screaming about it in the next ad campaign. “Us [Taco Bell] touting ourselves as a health halo – it’s not authentic and it’s not real,” Taco Bell spokesman Alec Boyle says.
Looking to save a bit of money on your next meal while staying relatively healthy? Here are some of Taco Bell’s low-calorie options:
Item Calories Grams of Fat
Fresco Chicken Soft Taco 150 3.5
Fresco Crunchy Taco 140 8
Fresco Grilled Steak Soft Taco 160 4.5
Black Beans 80 1.5
Chicken Soft Taco 170 6
Shredded Chicken Burrito 400 18
Black Bean Burrito 390 11
Chicken Chipotle Loaded Griller 350 16
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.