Clinton vs. Soda

by Martha Edwards (Subscribe to Martha Edwards's posts)
Nov 20th 2007 1:24PM

Categories: Celebrities and Entertainment, Celebs & Entertainment

As we reported a few days ago, former president Bill Clinton is declaring war against obesity. And there's a specific target he's aiming at -- Soda in Schools. Clinton wants sugary soda to be out of schools by 2010. According to this article on Forbes, Clinton met with soda company representatives and medical experts to forge a deal.

Here's what you will be able to get in schools after the change:

In elementary and middle schools: water, unsweetened juice and low-fat milk
In high schools: diet drinks, unsweetened teas, flavored water, and low-calorie sports drinks.

This seems fair, I suppose--It would be ideal if kids would stick to water but that's not very realistic if you ask me. Still, soda companies can continue to profit from schools but supplying them low-cal drinks that are still full of chemicals and lacking in any real nutritional value. And what about those chips in the vending machine -- are they going bye-bye too?

What do you think?

Source

Comments (11)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Mike Gruhlke 11-20-2007 @ 2:01PM

We don't need more regulations, we need parents and individuals to take responsibility for themselves. I think it's a great idea to get sodas out of school, but what about fast food, restaurants and of course, home. How are you going to regulate soda at those places? You aren't.

People need to regulate themselves, and this comes down to parents taking charge.

Vishaal 11-20-2007 @ 2:01PM

Just get rid of it ALL in schools. They are children so we CAN have regulations. Just get over all that "oh the parents this, the parent that" because my parents NEVER had soda in the house and always told us to not drink it, but my sister and I drank HUGE amounts of soda at school! Just take it OUT of schools.

rlaymon 11-20-2007 @ 2:01PM

you can take a horse to water but you cant make him drink.....

T. Treadway 11-20-2007 @ 2:02PM

Let the school board and the responsible nutritionist decide what food and drink options are available within the school property.
The secretary of health should make suggestions via listing healthy food and drinks.

belovedbright 11-20-2007 @ 2:06PM

Personally, I think high school students should *also* get milk & juice options.

Liz Christmas 11-20-2007 @ 2:37PM

Bravo Bill Clinton!!! We need to be more realistic about what kids do when their are allowed to pick what they like rather then what's good for them. It truly takes a village of wise adults to help them make good choices. We must instill in them the importance of being fit and healthy, and the long term benefits of a healthy life style. We must use any and all means available to get the point across. A healthy body and mind goes a long way.

Tweet62 11-20-2007 @ 2:43PM

YES!! it's about time the soda company's get hit...ALL soda is nothing but poision, there is nothing good about it, no health benifits at all! Clintion has my vote!

nikkicookers 11-27-2007 @ 5:35PM

I don't mean to be rude, but slick willy could afford to lose a few pounds himself.

nikki
nikkicookers@aol.com
http://www.fitconnect.com

Laura 11-27-2007 @ 8:21PM

You can't expect all kids to be happy drinking water alone. Diet sodas and other drinks that are "full of chemicals" are a good compromise.

Neil 12-19-2007 @ 9:27PM

What are the conditions? Voluntary? Then Soda companies are buying into the solution writing the nation's health education. I know this halo effect game. It is a game and Clinton just helping his wife in the polls. I am not buying this scam. Again! I don't like Hilllary Clinton or Obama because all corporate money she and Obama have gotten. Look it up on opensecrets.org. Obama has not taken PAC money but look up the companies Kraft, General Mills, PEPSICO! and Coke! Obama's campaign told obesity is calories in calories out thing then why Sen. Obama are people still fat? Maybe it is because policy makers like you get their nutrition information from the food industry. Calories in calories out is food industry line and it boils down to fat people are dumb and lazy. That's wrong and abusive! I am not voting for either Clinton or Obama!

Neil 12-19-2007 @ 9:58PM

What are the conditions? Voluntary? I bet it is! Then soda companies are buying into the solution writing the nation's public health education. I know this halo effect game. It is a game and Clinton just helping his wife in the polls. I am not buying this Clinton scam. Again! I don't like Hilllary Clinton or Obama because all corporate money she and Obama have gotten. Look it up on opensecrets.org. Obama has not taken PAC money
but look up the companies Kraft, General Mills, PEPSICO! and Coke! Especially PEPSICO! Obama's campaign told me obesity is calories in calories out thing. Making America fat and ignorant to get votes for universal health care. Obama nuanced a calories in calories message to me but I am getting good at reading corporate BS! If you want a copy of the email leave a message for me and place to send it to you.
If obesity is calories in - calories out thing then why then Senator Obama are people still getting fat? Maybe it is because policymakers like you running for President get their nutrition information and money from the food industry. The Calories in- calories out line is a food industry line and it boils down to fat people are dumb and lazy. That's wrong and abusive! I am not voting for either Clinton or Obama!