Recently, a new policy took effect in San Francisco which banned the sale of sugary soda beverages from vending machines on city property. I don’t live in that great city, but this initiative caught my attention. If you’re thirsty and see a vending machine, don’t plan on getting your favorite cola. You may like that tasty, carbonated drink, but you’re no longer allowed to buy one from a machine.
But what about freedom of choice for thirsty consumers? Sorry. It’s gone.
Instead of sugary drinks such as certain sodas, sports drinks, fruit juice that’s not 100% pure, etc – there is to be a healthier set of alternatives.
What constitutes healthier, in this case? Well, diet soda (you know, that noted health food) can still be a small percentage of the offerings. Apparently, water, milk, soy milk, and rice milk are among the others covered in the recent directive.
Just imagine this scenario:
John Doe, doing construction work near city property, wants a break from his hard work, and would like to quench his thirst. He strolls over to the vending machines, ready for his treat.
He then scans the choices, and thinks to himself, “Juice, milk, soy milk. Hmmm….not sure that I see what I’m looking for yet.”
Then he keeps looking, and his eyes freeze on his target. His thoughts scream out at him: “Aha. RICE MILK! I want the rice milk. Just what I crave to quench my thirst! Perfect. There’s nothing like some rice milk on a day like this!”
Sure.
Now, I have to say that while I have a diet soda once in a while, I realize that they’re not good for us to drink. If sodas take the rust off cars, or dissolve coins if given enough time, they can’t be too good for us – particularly our teeth. So, I do applaud the intent of keeping people healthy. And I have to admit: I do have soy milk on occasion. I even purchased almond milk once, though it didn’t do much for me.
That said, instead of restricting people from making specific purchases, how about educating them on good nutritional choices? Then let people make their own decisions. In schools, I’m absolutely in favor of restricting choices. But as adults we can make our own choices.
A better solution for people, instead of buying drinks from vending machines, would be to carry water. Make a small investment in a reusable canister that you can carry with you, and fill it with water as you leave home. It will save you plenty of money over the course of time. It will also keep you healthier. What’s a better drink for a thirsty person than water?
Let’s say you’re working 250 days a year, and have the existing habit of getting a drink out of the vending machine every day. If the cost of a drink is $1.20, you will be paying $300 over the course of the year.
$300 in savings and a healthy, calorie free drink instead of soda – or rice milk – seems like a pretty good deal to me!
I’m a big fan of personal responsibility and letting peple make their own choices. However, I think changes need to be made by the FDA to combat obesity and diabetes, especially for juveniles. Kids (and some adults) can’t make educated decision on food products. They just see a commercial on TV and want the product. And, since sugar has been replaced with corn sweeteners, it has had an obvious negative effect on juvenile health. I think eliminating HFCS would be a logical first step.
I HATE this nany state SH*T! Food is the wrong target. We actually eat 20% fewer calories than we did in the 1900’s (turn of the last century) (trust me it’s true just do some research). THink about your grandparents eating habbits, dripping tins, butter on everything. The problem is we do NO EXERCISE! No one has to cut up the wood to cook breakfast, or take the carpets outside and beat them clean or scrub the clothes or walk to work, where you dug holes etc. NO ACTIVITY! if fact now the average person has to go out of their way to find activity.
A recent study in Australia found that if you drive to work, sit at your desk all day, drive home and watch tv, you won’t burn 2000 calories, or JUST the recommended allowence of every food group.
It doesn’t matter soft drink, take away foods, fatty meats where all banned. If we all ate whole grain, fish and skin free chicken, organic fruit and veg and drank nothing but water, WE WOULD STILL BE FAT!!
The food industry (don’t get me wrong they’re no angels) is the easy target because it requires us to do nothing, they did this to us! Gettin off our fat asses and building activity back into our lives is hard because that requires changes in ALL aspects of our lives. Where our house is, how we get to work, how we do the shopping, what appliances we have, what we do for a living, the recreation time we spend with friends and families. All that stuff is in the too hard basket.
Sorry for the monday morning rant
I HATE policies like this. My company just banned real soda and “junk” food from the vending machines and cafeteria here. I don’t see a difference between Animal Crackers and the mini-cookies they replaced, but that’s beside the point. I never used the vending machines anyway since I drink water and bring my own food, but it’s still a stupid policy. No full grown adult has changed from the real Coke to the diet Coke…they just bring their own now. One of my coworkers even has his own cooler at his desk and is happy that it forced him to save money by buying his own 12 packs…
I think San Francisco’s gone a little too far. I agree with charging for plastic bags, but not eliminating soda from vending machines. That’s a personal choice while the environment impacts everyone.