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Anchorage Residents Say No to New York City Soda BanAlaskans weigh freedom and health in soda debateANCHORAGE – After the mayor of New York City proposed a ban on supersized sodas, many Anchorage residents said they wouldn’t support a similar ban in their own town. The proposed law would limit the size of sodas available for purchase, and drinks larger than 16 ounces would no longer be sold in New York City. Even though many people know the health risks, they said they can’t seem to put down the sugary, carbonated drinks. Some said they drink it every day. “It’s good, but Coca-Cola makes your teeth get rotten,” said 12-year-old Iliana Batista. Fatima Morales, also 12, said she “didn’t really care.” In New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg blames the sugar in soda as the leading cause of obesity. While not everyone drinks a soda every day, Lauri Ek-Watson, a registered dietitian with Providence Alaska Medical Center, said a supersized drink could often equal three or four normal servings. “In one year, if you drink one Coke a day, you gain 15 pounds,” Ek-Watson said. “That would be 45 pounds per year for the average person.” Not all New Yorkers are applauding the mayor's move, and in Anchorage the thought elicits a variety of reactions. “I don’t get people to stop drinking them, because it's hard, people like it,” Morales said. “I avoid sodas,” said Anchorage resident Elizabeth Routhier. “Those are treats, it’s not an everyday thing at all, it’s artificial, it’s not natural, it’s not hydrating, I mean, what’s the point.” Experts said making the choice could mean the difference between life and death. “It greatly effects how long they live and how good they feel,” Ek-Watson said. “That's the big thing: If you don't feel good because you’re overweight, then you don't think as well and you don't have as good a lifestyle.” But she said encouraging people to put soda down can be a tough job. The sugar intake in America has increased in the past 25 years, but she said it’s not all sodas: Everything from coffee and juices to energy drinks and smoothies are a big part of the problem. She recommends cutting down the quantities to one or two a week and switching to water, which she said is the best liquid to drink. |
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Deborah Petty said on Friday, Jun 1 at 12:08 PM
No, to the big drinks a lot of times we order the big drink and share it with each other no to a different person just my husband and I!!
92503466SMezick said on Friday, Jun 1 at 1:39 PM
Government, Cities and States should not have control over a person's ability to order a larger or small drink... they would be protecting our liberties not taking away our liberties.
92512396SMezick said on Friday, Jun 1 at 1:40 PM
Correcting the last post.... Government, Cities and States should not have control over a person's ability to order a larger or small drink... they SHOULD be protecting our liberties not taking away our liberties.
92512505Anonymous said on Friday, Jun 1 at 1:51 PM
ok. what happened when they made alcohol illegal? Homemade. Same goes here. Pop companies will really whine about that one.
92513635BobD said on Friday, Jun 1 at 2:24 PM
Who cares what they do in New York City ?
92517276Anonymous1 said on Friday, Jun 1 at 3:26 PM
Just because they cut out drinks 16oz and more won't stop folks who drink soda from just ordering another. It's just another way of making a profit, I bet the soda companies would love this.
92522275Anonymous said on Friday, Jun 1 at 3:52 PM
Yes this would not solve the problem. Just because you cannot fill a big cup doesn't mean you can buy multiple small portions that equal the same amount. People should make their own choices. It's just a shame that it uses up our medical resources.
92523904Mike Roxbury said on Friday, Jun 1 at 4:25 PM
Wow I need to have the goverment make decisions on what i need to eat or drink and how much WOW New York is starting to sound like a Communist State, Alaska is not against being healthy there against government control People need to start controlling themselves later on the goverment will start taking other freedoms away piece by piece Just food for thought pardon the pun :)
92525813Scott Taylor said on Friday, Jun 1 at 4:32 PM
I feel that sodas are not very good for you, but I grew up on them and I will admit that I am addicted to sodas. That being said, the government (any level) has not right, responsibility, or authority to control, enact laws, or mandate what we eat or drink. If they can, then they should control water which pretty much is full of drugs, chemicals, and other various and deadly substances. Government needs to stay out of our lives and choices.
92526486Richard said on Friday, Jun 1 at 7:00 PM
Yeah, I wonder how people voted down this and voted for the tobacco tax. I say tax soda. Heavily.
92539195Grizzlyadams said on Friday, Jun 1 at 7:25 PM
I can see it now .. Ya turn on HSN and buy one of those 'do it yourself' soda machines .. and crank out the 32 oz. babys and pack um up to take into A town to 'deal' out of the back of the car !! If farm fresh whole milk is against the law its time to take back the asylum .. the nutz are taking over !!
92541316missmaureen said on Friday, Jun 1 at 7:32 PM
The government has no right to take away the size of soda. It's just another attempt to control. People are letting them get away with it. When will it stop? When will the people have enough?
92541965NYC said on Friday, Jun 1 at 8:16 PM
Nuff said.
92544384aj said on Saturday, Jun 2 at 10:18 AM
Bloomberg is a rich, total liberal idiot who thinks that people need a nanny to survive. As soon as the people realize that the give away's and regulation robs us of our freedoms, this country will be a MUCH better place!
92587186history addict said on Saturday, Jun 2 at 10:28 AM
A glass of Bloomberg any size is what should be banned.
92587885SodaFree said on Saturday, Jun 2 at 10:37 AM
Here's a liberty for ya: Every morning stand naked in front of a full-length mirror. What do you see?
92588286SodaFree said on Saturday, Jun 2 at 10:38 AM
Here's a liberty for ya: Every morning stand in front of a full-length mirror. What do you see?
92588345HUW said on Saturday, Jun 2 at 10:49 AM
What's more hazardous to your health: consuming sugar or living in New York City?
92588993Horrible Reporting said on Saturday, Jun 2 at 1:19 PM
Way to quote a 12 year old, great article. /sarcasm
92598904jim said on Sunday, Jun 3 at 5:06 AM
Anchorage sucks. Only reason I live here is cause I'm on felony paper. Never been to nyc but its better than anchorage and way better than alaska.
92642615Anonymous said on Tuesday, Jun 5 at 4:15 PM
The big problem is personal accountability, I don't agree with any gov't ban on any thing. Ban the use of cell phones in a vehicle? It isn't the use of a cell phone that is the problem, its the driver! It isn't the size of a soda its the one(s) drinking more than they should! Its time to make those that abuse privileges accountable for their bad choices and take the burden off the rest of society. If one wishes to abuse their own health, go for it, but don'tpay for their medical expenses, (as a result) out of public money!
92921484Mike J. said on Wednesday, Jun 6 at 5:30 PM
Love the comments about common sense, freedoms and such. And yet when I get a cup of coffee I see 'Caution: coffee is hot' printed on the cup. Seems some had a problem in the past figuring that out.
93076774Anonymous said on Wednesday, Jun 6 at 9:56 PM
so I drink 2 sodas a day for 20 years according to this article and their awesome "science" I should weight 300 lbs over my initial weight ... lol please
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