OK, here's the thing...I don't like being told what I can and cannot do. So you can imagine my response to the proposed ban on "huge sugar drinks" in NYC - you know, the one where Mayor Bloomberg wants to ban the sale of any cup or bottle of sweetened drink larger than 16 fluid ounces because in his mind that will help cure the obesity problem in NYC and beyond.
This ban would affect every "sweet drink" in restaurants, sports arenas and other areas and would include everything from energy drinks to sweetened iced teas, but not include diet pop (I can't call it soda, sorry), fruit juice, milkshakes (because ya know, they are low in fat, sugar, and calories!), or alcoholic beverages.
So yeah, it's sort of like Prohibition with pop instead of booze.
And you know what? I think it's crazy insane nuts that the mayor thinks he should/can do this. While I don't live in or near NYC, I certainly don't need the government telling me what I can and cannot drink. If I want a large sugar-filled bottle of pop with my NYC slice of pizza, then I'm darn well gonna get one. And you can't stop me.
In my mind, this is something people need to decide for themselves. It's a personal choice - what you want to drink and how much pop/soda you want to consume is up to YOU. Not the mayor of NYC (or any other city for that matter). I'm quite certain we're all smart enough to know how to set our personal limits on consumption of "sugary sodas."
My good friends over at Coca-Cola have something to say about it too.
This is their official statement with regard to the proposed ban: The people of New York City are much smarter than the New York City
Health Department believes. We are transparent with our consumers. They
can see exactly how many calories are in every beverage we serve. We
have prominently placed calorie counts on the front of our bottles and
cans and in New York City, restaurants already post the calorie content
of all their offerings and portion sizes -- including soft drinks. New Yorkers expect and deserve better than this. They can make their
own choices about the beverages they purchase. We hope New Yorkers
loudly voice their disapproval about this arbitrary mandate.
I say this to Mayor Bloomberg - I'm quite certain you have more pressing, important issues to worry about in the Big Apple. So how about if you don't tell me what I can and cannot drink and I won't tell you how to run your city. OK? Thanks.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm headed to the movies where I'm going to order one of those really BIG "souvenir" plastic cups and have it filled to the very top with sugary soda...just because I CAN. ;)
Disclosure: I wasn't compensated for this post. I wanted to share the information with my readers. All opinions are mine.
As someone living in New York State, I am disgusted by the stupidity of this law. I wish the residents in the NYC area would charge Mayor Bloomberg for all of the money that he is wasting on this. Reality check is that people will drink and eat what they want to and when they want to. If we put more money into educating children and families on healthier choices at the community level it would be better. How about cooking seminars, farmers markets, and other events to show people things that are better?
ReplyDeleteI get banning smoking in public places and having laws about that. When someone elects to smoke in a place that can put others at risk. Someone drinking a 32 ounce Coke - while not the best choice will not hurt, kill, or bother me in the near future. Let's put money into things that really matter like education, job growth, and things that will benefit the citizens as a whole.
I agree 1000%, Beth! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.... :)
Delete