According to the NYTimes this morning, “New York City plans to enact a far-reaching ban on the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks at restaurants, movie theaters and street carts, in the most ambitious effort yet by the administration of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg to combat rising obesity.
“The proposed ban would affect virtually the entire menu of popular sugary drinks found in delis, fast-food franchises and even sports arenas, from energy drinks to pre-sweetened iced teas. The sale of any cup or bottle of sweetened drink larger than 16 fluid ounces — about the size of a medium coffee, and smaller than a common soda bottle — would be prohibited under the first-in-the-nation plan, which could take effect as soon as next March.”
I can already hear the cries of “what’s next?” Will it be a beef ban (not with that tobacco-level lobby), control of coffee consumption, booze (nope, tried that), discouraging the use of white flour and white sugar, trucking fresh foods across the country? There’s all kinds of potential here and some of it, I have no problem with. Since I don’t do refined sugar and you shouldn’t, either, I say, "go get ‘em’, Bloomberg.”
Of course, the Repubs have been going after our individual freedoms with the fierceness of a pissed off Tazmanian Devil. Consider, for example, all the reproductive functions middle-aged white Repubs believe they should control for women, after patting them on the head and calling them "poor dears." How about who sleeps with whom and who can marry. The list is long and now it’s sweet.
Repubs are sneakily making us exercise by walking to the counter to order a second or third soda to replace one huge one. They're smart that way. "Please sir, may I have some more?" :)
ReplyDeleteAs a health care professional I am outraged by all this and all the anti-sugar hype. It is based on ignorance and a lack of real education in nutrition, etc. Sugar is a natural anti-acid and anti-inflammatory, despite being a processed substance. It is also more hydrating than plain water- especially juices and soft drinks. To restrict consumption or amount is unfair to the individuals that need the extra hydration. There are real genetic differences between people and for some, just drinking water isn't hydrating enough, as they don't retain water easily genetically and hence need the aid of juices and soft drinks to hold water. Internal hydration effects blood and plasma levels in the body. Sugar also "cools" body temperature and aids lowering hypertension and other inflammatory disorders. I see just as many skinny emaciated people in my practice with hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. We are a fat phobic nation. I can honestly say that being a lean individual myself and unbiased.
ReplyDeleteAnon: My guess is that if it's that bad for some people, they can get a prescription. The point here is that an eight-year-old, 180-pound kid is drinking a 64-ounce Coke for breakfast and that should not happen, no matter who's in charge.
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