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There was an article that I read last week that seems to be causing quite the controversy. Normally, I try to avoid controversial issues, but I thought this was interesting.
I article that I read was from CNN
called, New York City seeks to ban big sodas from restaurants, food carts.
Apparently, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, "More than half of NYC adults (58%) are overweight or obese...We're doing something about it." The article went on to explain that they are “proposing to cap big sugary
drinks at 16 oz. in restaurants”.
At frist, this article really encouraged me! I am so thankful that Mayor Bloomberg is taking the obesity statistics for his city seriously, because not everyone is willing to do something about obesity. In theory, cutting back on the availability of big sugary drinks is a good place to start.
That being said, I believe that people should be able to make their own choices. If we ban big sugary drinks, what will be next? There's no telling how many foods would be to be banned in order to reverse the effects of obesity. Not only that, but when people are told they cannot have something, that seems to turn into the only thing they want! We don't want people becoming underground big sugary drink dealers.
Obesity is a huge problem in this country. That being said, I do not think it will be fixed by banning big sugary drinks. We need to teach people why big sugary drinks are bad and let them choose to lead a healthy lifestyle. We need to provide education and support to people trying to lead a healthier lifestyle.
What do you think about this proposal? Are big sugary drinks the answer? If not, what do YOU think would help drop the obesity rates in this country?
9 comments:
Hi Jennifer,
This was an interview question on the Miss USA pageant last night, so I've had time to mull it over! I agree with you. If we begin banning sugary drinks, what's next? People must be educated and learn the self-discipline to resist on their own (not that it's easy!). A government ban is not going to fix the problem.
P.S. the pageant candidate answered that she thought sugary drinks should be banned
Thanks for your blog, Jennifer. I just love it and have passed it on to friends. May you have a wonderful day!
Ginny
First of all, nobody can be forced to live healthy lifestyles. And it's definitely not the government's business to tell me what I can and cannot consume. If I want to be a fat cow, what's it to them?
I agree - if they ban this, then what's next? And I don't think that "big sugary drinks" are the problem. In my case, I'm at least 75 pounds overweight and I drink almost nothing but water. Once every few months, I'll have a Pepsi, but VERY rarely. Otherwise, it's water water water.
Maybe our government needs to keep their noses out of where they don't belong and start focusing on some serious issues.
It's really not about the big sugary drinks. It's all about controlling us like a bunch of sheep.
All I can say is that ice cream better not be next or they will have a mutiny on their hands! :)
Seriously, though, I agree with the previous two posts. I think we're adult enough to make our own decisions. The government has no place in it.
I also think it is just more "Big Brother". If they ban big drinks now, what is next? Milkshakes, hamburgers (with or without cheese?), desserts of any kind, full fat salad dressing? We all know that all of these things can be consumed in moderation. I think the government has no place in enforcing what we can and cannot eat. I think the only thing that will help is to educate, educate, educate, starting when the kids are young. Even then there are always going to be heavy people!
I don't think it should be banned BUT I do think that responsible manufacturing practices SHOULD be encouraged somehow. Honestly, a financial incentive is the only way I can think of it. For example, check out this article: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/02/16/no-more-king-size-candy-bars-mars-inc-says/
Mars decided to make their "king size" candy bars a thing of the past as of 2013. I do believe that this is a responsible choice, though I won't "sugar coat" it. Those addicted to "king size" bars will now have to buy 2 bars to get the same "fix". (Let's face it, sugar is a drug. We're addicted. Ask most of us to live on NATURAL sugar only - no artificial sweeteners - and we can't do it for long w/o experiencing physical WITHDRAWL symptoms like headaches, etc).
I'd love to see more companies (like 7/11) go that route!
Yes - freedom to choose, but freedom for suppliers to choose to sell smaller sizes isn't saying "you can't have soda". It just makes a higher "pain of payment". Not only will your body pay the price, but your wallet will too. Either that will result in higher poverty, or higher health.
I don't agree with the ban at all. I'm over weight & it is no ones fault but my own. I don't need the government telling me not to drink big sugary drinks (I never do by the way), I should make that choice on my own as an adult. And I think Michelle Obama's health initiative is the reason Mars "decided" (sarcasm) not to make king size bars. Again, I don't need the government telling me I shouldn't have a large candy bar. I pay taxes, I pay for my health insurance & I will make my own decisions thank you very much.and I've decided to do weight watchers when we are done moving. Sorry to sound bitter but people really need to start taking responsibility for their actions & not blame companies for their weight issues.
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I had a funny thought after reading this article. How many people even if they limit the drink size to a 16 oz will go back for enough refills to make up for the 'BIG GULP' size and more?
In my opinion, for every one person who goes back for a refill, there might be at least one person who realizes that the ban limited soda for a reason and knowing their health is in jeopardy, might forgo the refill.
I don't think at all the ban is an effort to fix the obesity problem. It's an approach to limit something that really provides no health benefit. I think I remember Bloomberg even saying that its not restricting anyone at all from buying two, or getting a refill. I think its more an effort to get you to consciously be forced to go get a second helping.
If it doesn't help one adult, it may at least help a child. An adult can make the decision to go buy a second one. A child might not have the resources or the parents might consciously think about what they're doing to their child by allowing them to do so. In this situation however I do agree education is key - but not all parents will bother to put this education to use even if its presented to them.
My main source of weight gain personally wasn't soda. I've always been a diet soda drinker if anything. It was high calorie foods and large portions. To lose weight I measure/weigh almost everything I eat and forcibly limit my portion size because I know its my issue. It was hard at first but as time went on its just a knee jerk reaction now. I HAVE to measure, I have to know what I'm eating. At first I was honestly ashamed at how much I really had been eating. Everyone has a poison, and for some people it definitely can be soda. Not for everyone of course though.
Did you know in the 1950's that a 12oz soda was considered a "King Size" soda? This is why NYC is making an attempt to limit sizes :(
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