Soda ban hopes to decrease obesity and diabetes
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EmailThe recent attempts to ban the sale of soda sizes sold may limit the consumption of sugary beverages, which encourages the development of diabetes and struggles with obesity.
New York City Mayor Bloomberg wants to ban the sale of super-sized sodas in entertainment and restaurant venues, which consists of sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces as a result of rising obesity and diabetes trends.
But will reducing the size available decrease obesity and diabetes? Probably not, but it may be a start in limiting the portion sizes of foods and drinks that are high in calories and provide little to zero nutrients. This ban could act as a starting message.
Below are some common sizes of cola soda served today and the calories and sugar that they provide:
- 20 ounce bottle 240 calories 65 grams sugar
- 32 ounce Big Gulp 364 calories 91 grams sugar
- 34 ounce bottle 400 calories 108 grams sugar
- 44 ounce Super Big Gulp 512 calories 128 grams sugar
- 52 Ounce Xtreme Gulp 585 calories 146 grams sugar
Soda was often sold in a 6.5 ounce bottle many years ago which contained 85 calories and 21 grams of sugar –much less than the serving sizes often sold today.
While a soda 16 ounces or less per day may not harm you, more than 16 ounces a day may contribute to decreased consumption of water, vitamins and minerals that are body needs to function daily. Increased calories through beverages often lead to a calorie surplus which results in weight gain.
The United State Department of Agriculture recommends through the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans to reduce the consumption of foods and beverages with added sugars and to focus on consuming nutrient-dense foods and beverages.
Examples of drink alternatives to soda may include:
- Fat free or low-fat milk
- Soy, rice or almond milk alternatives
- Water flavored with fruit or vegetables
- 100 percent juice in moderation
- Tap water
This message, along with others such as increasing physical activity may result in the reduction of calories consumed which in the long-term may decrease obesity and diabetes rates in the future.
