Should you go for the sugar-filled soda or the one made with artificial stuff? Find out which is better to sip on when you’re in the mood for soda.
Regular Soda
It’s filled with sugar and a ton of empty calories, but soda can be part of a healthy eating plan if it’s consumed rarely and as a special treat. However, studies have found that soda is one of the top sources of sugar in our diets. New York City has even tried to ban the sale of sugary beverages that are larger than 16 fluid ounces to help keep soda portions in check.
In addition to leading to weight gain, studies have found that folks who guzzle large amounts of soda tend to drink less milk and take in fewer nutrients like calcium. Furthermore, drinking large amounts of soda can be detrimental to your bones. Soda contains high amounts of phosphates, which can deplete the body’s calcium stores.
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In an effort to help New Yorkers clean up their diets, Mayor Bloomberg has proposed a ban on large-sized sugary drinks. Will NYC lead the trend for other cites fighting the battle of the bulge?
The Fizzy Facts
If it were to take effect, this law would ban the sale of sugary beverages larger than 16 fluid ounces (2 cups). Fast food chains, restaurants, delis, food carts and sports arenas would have to comply. Vending machines and large bottles sold at supermarkets would not be affected.
A standard vending machine bottle of soda (20 fluid ounces) may contain anywhere from 16 to 22 teaspoons of sugar – that’s 240 to 330 empty calories! Energy drinks and sweetened teas (also part of the ban) contain high doses of added sweeteners as well.
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Could too many of these lead to weight gain? You shouldn’t be surprised that the answer is yes.
Most studies try to tell us what we should be eating or doing. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed top habits that rack up the pounds. See if the top “bad” habits are some of your own.
Understanding Bad Habits
The obesity epidemic is costing us our health and money. More than one-third of adults and close to one-fifth of kids in the U.S. are obese. These folks are at a much higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, and certain forms of cancer. It’s estimated that it costs the U.S. nearly 10 percent of its medical spending to treat these diseases – that’s equivalent to $147 billion a year! Read more »
- Make your own sodas the healthy way with an at-home carbonation machine.
Tired of drinking calorie-filled sodas and juices? Make your own low-cal bubbly drinks with sparkling water or an at-home drink carbonator.
Make your own sparkling drinks »
In this week’s nutrition news: The unique experience of dining in the dark, diet soda linked to pre-mature delivery and meet the woman who inspired Michael Pollan.
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In this week’s nutrition news: Logging on helps keep the weight off, recalled foods found on market shelves and Vitaminwater sued for deceptive health claims
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In this week’s nutrition news: Study compares mercury levels in supermarket and restaurant sushi, NYC mayor Bloomberg encourages companies to slash salt and soda (diet and regular) linked to early death.
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In this week’s food news: A new study finds lead in some packaged Indian spices, Pepsi stops selling its sugary drinks in schools and an already-obese woman has a mission to reach 1,000 pounds.
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In this week’s nutrition news: Soda taxes help shed pounds, how to choose the right nutrition expert and cheese made from breast milk — would you eat it?
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You’d think soda was our national beverage the way people guzzle it. Opt for the regular stuff and you’re downing lots of extra calories and sugar; in comparison, calorie-free diet soda seems like a harmless alternative. But if you need a soda fix, is it better to swig sugar or artificial sweeteners? What about the caffeine and phophorus?
Here are some things to know about diet sodas (or any diet beverage for that matter).
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