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Fortunately for me, when I was growing up my parents only allowed my brothers and me to drink one soda on Saturday and one soda on Sunday. Thus, the addiction to and craving for the acidic, fizzy can of goodness never became a mainstay in my regular consumption routine.
As a kid I cried “foul play!” As an adult I cry tears of joy, grateful to not have any desire to drink soda like so many others I know do.
The average American drinks 57 gallons of soda each year and sees repercussions for it.
Most notably, soda consumption is linked to weight gain, causing Americans to gain a pound or more each year. Drinking soda can also cause diabetes, increase the risk of osteoporosis, teeth erosion, kidney damage, increase blood pressure, impair the digestive system and lead to dehydration, to name a few.
Recent proposals at the Capitol are suggesting America tack on a substantial tax to sodas and other sugar-sweetened beverages. Public health advocates have been pushing for a hefty tax as a way to reduce consumption of these products to help people lose weight and become healthier.
Research shows that a soda tax of 20 percent or 40 percent would generate about $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion in annual tax revenue. The 40 percent tax would cost the average household about $28 a year.
Currently, two-thirds of people in this country are overweight or obese. Obesity costs the country roughly $147 billion a year in increased medical expenses, according to another study by Finkelstein.
Some researchers says this study “is really positive news” and shows that the taxes could have a big impact on public health. Others, however, have a different take on the study, claiming that taxes like this don't work to solve a complex issue like obesity. Rather a soda tax would simply be putting a band-aid on top of a deep wound.
Those opposed to the soda tax argue that taxes don't make people healthier; what does make people healthier is making smart and educated decisions about diet and exercise.
While policymakers debate the soda tax, there are some healthy alternative you can substitute to make better beverage choices.
1. Give Soy Milk a Chance. Lots of brands and flavors are available. If calories are an issue, try one of the lower-calorie options.
2. Pimp Your Water. To an avid soda drinker, water can seem a little unexciting. One of the best ways around that is to add noncaloric flavors to your water.
3. Make Green or Black Tea Your New Drink Habit. Popkin said tea is a healthy alternative to water for people who prefer flavored beverages. Tea is calorie free and contains powerful phytochemicals like the antioxidant in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).
4. Think Outside the Juice Box. Try the new vegetable juice flavors in your supermarket, as well as fruit and vegetable juice blends. While they're not super low in calories, each serving contains a serving of fruit and a serving of vegetable.
5. Discover the Coffee Cure. For java lovers, coffee can be a calorie-free, flavorful alternative to soda. And you can easily find lower-caffeine coffees in coffee shops and supermarkets. But to keep coffee low-calorie, be sure to keep it simple -- skip the syrups, whipped cream, and whole milk.
So here's to you mom and dad, for making me a soda non-believer!
References:
Analysis: Soda Tax May Reduce Weight, Raise Revenue
http://www.usatoday.com/yourlife/food/diet-nutrition/2010-12-14-sodataxes14_ST_N.htm
Reasons Why People Drink Soda & 16 Reasons To Give Up Soda Drinking
http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/soft-drinks.shtml
How Can I Stop Drinking So Much Soda
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/how-can-i-stop-drinking-so-much-soda
Bailey Mosier is an athlete, friend and freelance journalist in Phoenix, Arizona. She leads an active, healthy lifestyle and aims to help women become bodies of knowledge and power for how to treat themselves right.
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