Are You Drinking Yourself Fat?

by Katherine Tweed (Subscribe to Katherine Tweed's posts)
Aug 31st 2009 5:00PM

Categories: Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements

Photo: NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene

The latest health campaign in New York isn't aimed at stopping smoking or increasing HIV awareness, it's all about sugary drinks.

The signature images of the ads show an iced tea, soda or sports drink being poured into a glass from a bottle and by the time the drink hits the ice cubes, it's turned into lard. In subway cars across the five boroughs, New Yorkers will spend the next three months with these pictures in the hopes that at least some people will ditch sweetened drinks for healthier refreshment.

"Sugary drinks shouldn't be a part of our everyday diet," New York City Health Commissioner Thomas A. Farley said in a press release. "Drinking beverages loaded with sugars increases the risk of obesity and associated problems, particularly diabetes but also heart disease, stroke, arthritis and cancer."

The scourge of soda is nothing new, but the public campaign to ditch other sweetened beverages is gaining traction. The American Heart Association recently called for Americans to cut back to no more than 100 calories of added sugar a day in our diet.

About a quarter of teens in New York City slurp down a soda every day according to health surveys -- that's equal to about 360 calories -- more than three times what the AHA recommends. The posters are meant to be shocking, but they also help put things in perspective. The campaign points out that sodas used to be in 12-ounce cans, but now 20-ounce bottles are often the standard. And soda isn't the only culprit. The posters point out that "sports" and "energy" drinks are often high-sugar, low-nutrient beverages that should be avoided most of the time as well.

It is yet to be seen whether this campaign is indicative of more serious moves by New York City's health department to regulate sugary drinks. The Big Apple was on the forefront of menu labeling requirements, and there has even been some discussion of taking on sodium. But for now, soda is the target du jour.

"When people count calories, they too often forget to include the liquid ones," said Cathy Nonas, director of the Health Department's Physical Activity and Nutrition Programs. "We need to start thinking of the sugar in sweetened drinks as unwanted, wasted calories."

Need another reason to ditch soda? Heavy cola consumption can damage your muscles.

Comments (26)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

losebellyfat1 8-31-2009 @ 5:39PM

I used to drink a lot of soda and I now only drink iced tea (no calories). I think drinking calories is a waste.

D 8-31-2009 @ 8:13PM

Great ad! Too much sugar is BAD! I gave up sodas when my then 8 year old son said they use soda to clean battery acid off car batteries and dried blood on the highway. Then, progressively gave up sweet tea for unsweet tea, and now I drink only water. Don't miss the sweet drinks at all! Lost weight too! Cholesterol numbers got better; fasting glucose levels got better; blood pressure got better. . . .what am I missing?

mikeiron 8-31-2009 @ 11:33PM

The little fables your 8 year old told you are BUNK, and have been for years. I work in a machine shop, and anyone stupid enough to pour soda on a battery, or an engine block, would be fired on the spot. The food nags have been beating this dead horse for years, exaggerating their data/findings to scare people for monetary/ideological reasons. The REASONABLE thing to do would be to eat ALL foods in moderation, and note how your body reacts to them. And if something causes you a problem, either eat less of it or none of it. You don't need a degree to figure that out.

hookmrl 9-01-2009 @ 1:01AM

if you drink soft drinks drink diet rite--no sugar or caffine

Jill 8-31-2009 @ 8:59PM

I had to cut out sugar drinks years ago after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Now yrs later I have lost 100 pounds and still don't have sugary drinks. It's a choice and a healthy one!! I read a comment that talks about moderation! It's so true it is all in moderation if you choose to drink them! :-)

http:getupandgetmoving.net

Jill Knapp

mbschmez 8-31-2009 @ 9:26PM

I wish that they would let people make there own choice about what they eat and drink this just makes me want to go buy a case of pepsi right now and drink it in front of the health commissioner.

Lynn 8-31-2009 @ 9:43PM

Amen to that Mbschmez.

I know pleanty of people who down soda all day and are skinny as hell, and others who eat and drink healthy and are still over weight. All this fat hate going arround right now is such crap. Whats wrong people? Its not PC to hate other races or homosexuals anymore so you need a new group to put down/hate/vilify/discriminate against to make yourself feel beter?
*sigh*

Bernie 8-31-2009 @ 10:36PM

Good for you. I couldn't agree more! I'm so tired of the buttinskis telling us what to do and going to government levels to have their wishes inforced. I'm diabetic but I don't think I have the right to make others give up what they have earned, healthy or not.

TJ 9-21-2009 @ 8:03AM

I think the article is a little misleading---most sodas, and even the 20 oz bottles---do not have 360 calories. I found out that those tall 23.5 oz Arizona drinks like fruit punch and grapeade do have about 3 servings that equal 360 calories. For the article to say "about a quarter of teens in New York City slurp down a soda every day according to health surveys -- that's equal to about 360 calories," and then go on to mention 12 oz and 20 oz sodas in the same sentence, makes it sound like they are the culprits. A 20 oz coke has about 240 calories--still not good, but not 360.

Susan 8-31-2009 @ 10:03PM

Food police. Soon it will be illegally to eat a doughnut or Twinkie. Put us in jail for it. Oh and those of us who are fat because of health problems? Too bad, must be what we eat only. Off with our fat heads!

lisanie43 8-31-2009 @ 10:04PM

Sorry, but sweetened ice teas do NOT make people fat. The only thing that makes people fat are consuming huge amount of donuts, fried food(french fries,onion rings, fried chicken) and sugary sweets(candies, junk cereal). This is actually misleading info by inexperience researchers who try to confuse consumers when the truth is actually the food consumed by people are due to the amount of sugar, refined flour, cornstarch and oil dumped into creating these type of garbage. Sugary drinks don't make people fat. It is a combination of soda, ice cream, fried food and additional items like cookies, cakes, donuts and candies that make people consume more calories than it is needed. Scientists need to make careful observation first before coming into conclusion.

Shea84 8-31-2009 @ 10:21PM

I have admittedly struggled with my weight for years. I've gone up and down for as long as i can remember. I keep several different sizes in my closet because I never know when I'll need them. Unfortunately, what they say IS true. They are in no way saying that sugary drinks are the only thing that make you "fat", they are simply stating that it is contributory to obesity in America. Fad diets don't work, trust me, I've tried them all. Making healthy eating decisions, and working out just a few minutes a day (alternating between strength and cardio) is what really works. What's sad, is that while most people know this, we all (including myself) make excuses why we can't do it. The real question that needs to be asked is why healthier food choices are so much more expensive than junk food? Instead of coming down on the health research scientists and the health commission for collaborating on a brilliant ad (yes, brilliant), why not come down on food manufacturers and distributors for hiking prices out of the normal range on healthier foods. Especially in today's market, when lower to middle class American's can barely afford to grocery shop, it can be hard to fill your pantry with whole grain/low carb/sugar free/organic foods when the box of doughnuts is on sale for $.99. So, while the media encourages overweight people to make better choices, they also want us to spend more money. This is where the real problem lies.

Ron 8-31-2009 @ 10:53PM

Sugar, fats, etc don't make people fat. Taking in more calories than what your body uses does. The Problem with obesity in this country isn't because of fat foods, sugary sweet foods, it's lack of exercize to offset that caloric intake. Now we're having the Gov't dictate what we can and cannot consume? you might want to take a LONG HARD look at what you're being forced to give up to appease someone else.
Making laws about food isn't going to solve this. It hasn't worked on ANYTHING our Gov't has "declared a war on". Reading? Nope, Drugs? Nope, Terrorism? Nope, Not even education. So to "declare war" on obesity is just another means of wasting MY hard earned money on laws preventing ME from enjoying my life.

Shari 8-31-2009 @ 11:06PM

Well - I don't eat ANY of those things you listed - now what's your theory?

BLONDANGEL60 9-01-2009 @ 3:03AM

actually thats not enitirely true ieat that stuff in moderation and i am not fat i am a size 2 . the keep thing in this is moderation if your eat or drink more calories then your body burns the it turns to fat and is stored , if you want to lose weight your need to burn more calories then you eat or drink. an aproximate unit togo by to lose weight is one Pound = 3,500 calories so to lose weight follow this calories consumed - calories burned = a deficit
to gain weight or reason why use this
calories consumed - calories burned = surpus
to maintain calories consumed - calories burned = 0
this site has a bunch of calculators for everything and great tips and advice and its free http://www.caloriesperhour.com/tutorial_pound.php

RDF 8-31-2009 @ 10:56PM

A M E N !!!!

mbschmez 8-31-2009 @ 11:05PM

I commented earlier about drinking a pepsi in front of the health commissioner and just wanted to say it isn't so much what you eat but how much. I myself am over fifty now and I only weigh 15 pounds more then what I did when I completed Basic Training in the army at the age of 17 and I drink 4 to 8 12 ounce cans of pepsi each and everyday. I don't really watch what I eat but I do get up and walk away from the table when I am full and don't stuff myself with candy or junk food. It's more about self control then it is drinking lots of sugar these health gurus will have something new to tell us in six months that was fine to do now but all of a sudden is bad for you.

WageSlave 8-31-2009 @ 11:21PM

Cutting down on the sugary drinks is definitely a good thing and I think high fructose corn syrup should be banned in food. It's addictive to children and if you doubt that watch the film "Super Size Me". But another issue we never hear about, is the effect of constant stress from 16 hour days, working on weekends, and making up for cut backs in staffing. Employers want us to be healthy but do nothing to contribute to it. If you take 30 minutes at lunch to work out or walk, you worry about losing your job. And for all of the people who are unemployed (and yes I'm thankful I still have a job), your health is really at risk. Obesity isn't just voluntarily lifestyle. Some aspects are genetic, some environmental (incredible stress levels) ad being chained to a computer terminal 80 hours a week. And wondering how you are going to make it on a declining income. We ever hear about this as a contributing factor.

mikeiron 8-31-2009 @ 11:39PM

High fructose corn syrup is nearly chemically identical to 'table sugar', invert sugar (used in baking), and honey. It is not addictive, and there is nothing in 'Super Size Me' that shows a shred of scientific proof that it is. Stop spreading nonsense that you can't prove.

Shea84 8-31-2009 @ 11:45PM

Sugars ande fats DO make people fat. Yes, high caloric intake without burning it off makes for more fat - yet where do you think the majority of these unneeded calories come from? Sugars, fats, etc. Ron, I agree that there needs to be more exercise, however, a healthier lifestyle also includes better food choices. You are saying that, by the government choosing to try and help curb the intake of fattier foods that it will prevent you from enjoying your life? Life shouldn't revolve around food. I love food. I love to cook, I love to bake, and I love to eat. But, a salad can be just as filling as a whopper - and it won't leave you feeling tired and bloated afterwards. I just don't eat like I should, as often as I should. American's as a whole don't. The government will never try to stop drug use or terrorism. They make too much money off of those. But people getting fat? They are losing some of their biggest clients!

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