As if there weren't enough reasons to stay away from soft drinks, here's another one. Researchers recently said that normal soft drinks containing too much sugar can end up increasing serum uric acid levels. What does that lead to? An increase in the risk of developing gout, that's what. Gout is not only dangerous, but extremely painful.

Although the chemicals and artificial sweeteners in diet soft drinks are no better than the refined sugars in normal soft drinks, in this case diet drinks win. Since sugar is not present in most diet soft drinks, gout of not a concern.

When gout happens, too much uric acid (caused by the breakdown of sugars from soft drinks) causes painful crystals to develop in the joints. Underexcretion (not peeing enough) also contributes to the condition.

Want a great New Year's resolution? Start dropping soft drinks from your daily regimen starting now.

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In what I consider to be a winning situation in American schools these days, an industry report (just a disclaimer) states that there are fewer amounts of high-calorie soft drinks in schools.

This is due partly to the banning of these beverages from schools due to newer state laws, and as a result, drinkmakers are introducing healthier drinks to replace them. I'm not sure that replacing high-calorie sugar water being replaced with 'healthier' versions is enough. Well, unless we see what versions are popping up in school vending machines.

Have you seen healthier soft drinks appearing in school machines recently? If so, I'd love to see what newer selections have started appearing. With 22 states having passed various pieces of legislation governing the types of drinks sold in school vending machines, there are apt to have been numerous changes with the new school year that has just started.

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The next time you pick up a can of soda, look at the amount of sugar inside a standard 12-ounce can. Once you do that, you might put the can down and pick up a bottle of water. If you're on a diet or trying to lose weight in some way, I strongly suggest looking at the "Nutrition Facts" label on every can of pop until you make the decision to cut those aluminum can from your diet.

Why the harshness, you may ask? Well, all the empty calories included inside each can of pop don't do a thing for your metabolism or waistline except for exciting both. Not only is pop overly expensive for what it is, but it's simply not a good thing to put inside your body.

The taste is what gets mo of us, though. Water has "no taste" according to many friends of mine, but is far healthier. Pop, on the other hand, has plenty of sugary taste (but is bad for your waistline), and most people choose taste over health. In fact, the rampant obesity in the U.S. can probably be attributed to that statement, unfortunately.

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My son likes many healthy foods. He'll often ask for carrots or fruit for a snack. He also enjoys low-fat yogurt, sunflower seeds, and cherry tomatoes as snack foods. He has no problems drinking water or 100% juices, either. But give him the option of eating candy or drinking sugary sodas and I can guarantee that's what he'll choose. I don't like to think of my kiddo having free rein in front of a school vending machine loaded with sugary sodas, chocolate, and candy. No child requires junk food, after all. I'm not the type of person who's a complete stickler about nutrition -- I'm perfectly happy to allow my son treats from time to time. But I prefer the treats to be at home where I can manage them myself.

Two bills that will pass on Sunday will phase out the sale of sodas and impose some restrictions on the calorie, fat, salt, and sugar content in foods sold on California school campuses. A former California senator, Marcia Escutia, has been researching and campaigning for increased nutrition standards in schools for more than 6 years. The bill states that drinks sold before, during, and after school must consist of fruit and vegetable juices without added sweeteners. Bottled water, low- or nonfat milk, and some sports drinks are also allowed.

I applaud California's efforts. I know other states have implemented stricter nutrition guidelines in the past and hope to see my state following suit soon.

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Ever heard the saying, "eat all you want and lose weight?" Most of the time it is followed with a commercial for some kind of diet pill or drink to help you lose weight no matter what you eat. But the saying holds its truth to some extent. Eating frequently increases metabolism and keeps you from binging during meal times. Eating often will help keep your blood sugar from dipping, which can cause you to eat the wrong things in the wrong portions. You don't have to eat those packaged granola bars all day long either. Here are a few tasty snacks that are good for you and mix proteins and fiber together which will make you feel full and stay full longer. Remember that choosing healthy foods is as important at snack time as it is at mealtime. Forget the chips, candy bars and sodas and replace them with water or herbal teas and these great healthy snacks combinations. Eating this way will make it is easier to eat a sensible well balanced meal with lighter portions and help you reach that desired weight and maintain it. You will also be amazed how much weight you will lose by replacing soft drinks or diet sodas with water and herbal teas.

Easy and healthy items for snack time.
Carrots, cucumbers & hummus
Raisins & a handful of nuts
Apples & peanut butter
Low-fat cottage cheese & sliced peaches or other fruits
Yogurt & strawberries
Hummus & pita bread
Celery & cream cheese
Granola & yogurt
Bowl of cheerios and low fat milk
Broccoli & bean dip
Peanut butter on whole wheat crackers
A slice of angel food cake with non-fat whipped topping
Popcorn
Mixed fruit with bananas, apples, grapes and pineapple
1/4 cup dry roasted soy nuts
Applesauce sprinkled with cinnamon and granola
4 cold boiled shrimp with cocktail sauce and whole wheat crackers

Think breakfast beverages, and coffee or orange juice probably comes to mind -- but what about soda? According to a consumer research firm based out of New York City, soda consumption for breakfast has almost doubled over the last 15 years. Given, they only took into account sodas taken with a meal (i.e. Starbucks didn't factor in) -- but people are ordering pop with their eggs and pancakes 15.1 percent of the time today, vs. 7.9 percent back in 1990.

Although most sodas contain some level of caffeine, the average is only about half what's in a similar-sized cup of coffee. So if it's not for an extra energy boost, what's the draw? Die-hard morning soda drinkers seem to get a kick out of the cold, tingly, refreshing factor of drinking down a Coke, vs. the warming action of coffee, first thing in the morning.

To each his own, just beware the calorie attack.

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