NYC Mayor Bloomberg Seeks Ban on Large Soft Drinks

In New York City, there’s a bubbling controversy over the size of sugary drinks being sold. Mayor Bloomberg wants to limit the size of sugary drinks for sale to 16 ounces, in an effort to combat the overwhelming obesity rate that exists.

When I first heard about this initiative, I was flabbergasted! I couldn’t believe the government wanted to step in and take such drastic measures. While I personally believe that it’s personal responsibility that has to take place, I can see where he’s coming from. Obesity is a HUGE problem in the US! (PUN INTENDED) If we could somehow manage to make people healthier, we could reduce our health care costs by billions!

I’m a big believer in touting “Don’t get your calories from liquids!!” The amount of sugar in soda and even most fruit juices is staggering. These calories are best spent elsewhere! It just doesn’t make sense.

A can of coke is 140 calories, and that’s only 12 ounces. Most people who purchase a soda from a convenience store at minimum buy a 20 ounce bottle. Let’s assume the average person buys a 32 ounce drink – That’s almost 375 calories! It is time to re-think getting used to diet soda! Or maybe getting your fruit juice from.. Hmm, let’s see, oh yeah, FRUIT!

As much as I’m opposed to government stepping in and reducing our freedom to choose, it also frustrates me to no end as a physically fit person watching the amount of obese-related health issue that prevail our medical community, and how that translates to our economic bottom line.

What do you think?