I grew up in Massachusetts, and was pretty much the only non-Catholic in my elementary school. We ate "fish" (loosely interpreted: smelly puree, breaded and fried, served on a bun) every Friday in the cafeteria, and I was pretty much the only person at my table not giving something up for Lent. Eventually, I started saying things like "I'm giving up chocolate for Lent," just because I didn't want to make some religious faux pas.
Do you know what most people give up for Lent? In my experience, it's candy or soda. Imagine that.
It's no secret to those who know me that I have this opinionated, seemingly condescending aversion to soda. In my defense, I am right in saying it has absolutely no nutritional value. But sometimes, people feel I may be a little self-righteous in my anti-soda campaign. Eh... they're probably right. But I don't even care anymore.
WHY ARE YOU DRINKING SODA? Honestly. If you drink soda every day, or even more than once a day, WHY ARE YOU DOING IT? Don't even think of telling me, "It tastes good." Captain Morgan's "tastes good" but do you down it in bulk? I'm no doctor, and I've never even played one on tv, so me spewing off medical facts may not carry much clout. But check out what these people have to say:
I cannot understand why people would habitually put this kind of crap into their bodies. I know, I know... I'm such a bey-otch. But come on! Can you honestly justify a habit like this? If you "need it" to get you through the day, then that is what we call an addiction. And just because soda is legal does not make it any more acceptable an addiction than crack or booze. I don't know what your day is like? How hectic things are? How stressed you get? Don't bet on it. I probably have a pretty good idea. But it is a totally weak excuse to say that you "need" soda, or Red Bull, or any energy drink, to get you through it. How is that any different from saying you "need" a few hits off a flask to get you through it? It's not. It's not any different at all.I'm pretty sure we're in the throes of Lent right now. Give up the soda. Just stop drinking it. Maybe indulge every once in awhile... heaven knows I enjoy a couple of Oreos here and there. But really. What do you have to lose? (other than maybe a few pounds and your shot at diabetes).
Hate me or hate the soda.
Never mind... I'm pretty sure I can already see where that one would end up.
40 comments:
I was forced to give up the soda. And ya know what? I don't miss it like I thought I would. And I TOTALLY noticed a difference in my health for not drinking it. I don't buy it anymore and I encourage my husband not to drink it. He doesn't really drink it around me. But then he comes home from work and says that he feels like crap. Oh and that he had drank like 6 diet cokes. And I just give him "the look".
So honey, I'm with ya on this one all the way! Soda is so unbelievably unhealthy. Let's you and I go stand in front of Coke's main plant in Atlanta and protest!! ;)
First, your post seems to miss the distinction between diet sodas and sodas. I realize you probably hate both, but the health issues between the two are different enough to bear mention.
Secondly, there are, of course, some pretty important differences between an addiction to soda and say, crack or alcohol. I've never met anyone who stole from their children to feed a Pepsi habit. Nor have I ever heard of someone leaving their spouse because s/he got hopped up on Dr. Pepper and beat the spouse up. Likewise, people don't tend to lock themselves in dark basements to hide themselves from loved ones so as to not show the shame of drinking yet another Barq's.
In sum, it may be that people do, in fact, develop actual addictions to carbonated beverages, but it does not follow that the societal or physical costs of such addictions are the same as those for other addictive substances.
what about diet soda? like diet 7up? it has no caffiene and no calories. i know there is no nutritional value, but I kind of thought it was like drinking nothing- nothing good but nothing bad either. i was just having this conversation with a friend who suggested i quit drinking diet soda as part of my weight loss regime. if you've got any articles laying around (or bookmarked) about how bad even diet, caffiene free soda is- please send them my way. i'm serious.
i can't wait to follow the comments on this one!! i have a soda maybe once a month. i used to drink it a little more often but once i thought about it i pretty much came to the same conclusion as you did.
there are lots and lots of good people that don't see it that way, so i'm interested in seeing the reactions to your boldness in saying it outright.
thanks for letting me in on it!
P.S. How do you feel about diet soda? Can we still be friends?
Wait, so tell me how you really feel. I just didn't quite get your opinion on this matter. Soda good?
I'm behind you all the way. When people voice strong convictions that lay outside of the mainstream, others take it as a personal attack. Clearly you're not attacking anyone- you just hate soda.
Working in schools, I see teachers come in with BUCKETS of soda. Seriously, these ginormous 64+++oz coolers of soda pop- every day. It's unbelievable to me- if I need a pick me up, I look for a piece of fruit, a smoothie, or at the very worst coffee. Drinking a soda really only makes me feel worse.
If any soda-addicted people are reading this- try 100% juice mixed with sparkling water. It's fizzy, refreshing, and corn syrup-free!
love yer rants, Dre.
I was listening to NPR the other week and heard a study that links a higher risk of pancreatic cancer (the most deadly cancer) with just one soda a week.
Seriously, with all the diseases now linked with the consumption of soda I find it's abundant use and the fact that soda machines are in public schools(speaking of Utah) highly ironic considering legislation to prohibit the teaching of std's and contraceptives. How is it then OK to dangle cancer, diabetes, and heart disease in front of them and actually promote its use? You may as well put a beer dispensing machine in the hallway as well.
Unhealthy is unhealthy is unhealthy.
or maybe you just haven't approved the comments yet. mine will probably be #472. oh well.
I need a drink.
You know what? I don't disagree with what you have said here, at all. It really is true.
I lack will power. It is as simple as that. Soda isn't my problem per se...I refuse to watch my portion control. I have tried and given up for years and now I am really in trouble because at age 40 (In June) it is a lot harder to lose it.
I had a raging Diet Coke addiction for a lot of years ... (and I was ALWAYS tired). I swapped it for a morning coffee... so I can’t be smug.
The fam has given up chocolate for Lent... so feel free to hate on me for being a walking cliché.
My love affair with diet Coke is slowly losing it's appeal. I absolutely love how it feels on my tongue and a diet coke on ice is so very good.
But, I am going to try to switch to water, ice cold water and hope it becomes my new love.
AMEN SISTA!! I feel very, very close to you right now.
I gave up soda in highschool.. not like it was a big sacrifice-- wasn't that into it to begin with.. and have found when I am forced to drink it cause it's the only thing around and I might choke (no.. not on a "chip".. I have a whole soapbox on those too..) it literally tastes like a bunch of fizzy chemicals. I completely support your views.. and will send a dollar to your cause should you go global with your fight.
Amen.I would so much rather taste my calories than pour them down my throat-wouldn't you? I must add, so as not to appear hypocritical, that I do, on occasion,(say, date night)down a dr. pepper.
el brentio... in response to your comment that people don't hide themselves in the dark basement to avoid the shame of being seen drinking a soda: i submit that you do not know enough mormon women who have tried to give it up.
i do agree that the costs to society and our bodies don't quite measure up to what other addictions cost us... but obesity is fast becoming an arguable contender in that race. come hang out in the elementary school with me for a day. watch the chunky, clueless kids down their mountain dews for breakfast and then shuffle around school after about noon like crash test zombies.
I like a soda now and then. I'm in no way an addict and of course there is no nutritional value in a bottle of Kempers cream soda but I an enjoy a cold soda with a movie,when I go out to dinner or to a party.
Everything in moderation is what I say.
A DC is the highlight of my day. I'm definitely addicted. It's wrong and I keep doing it. How do I justify? I guess I can't. You are so dogmatic. Sugar isn't good for you either, what's the difference? It's not good for you but there are things that are worse. Soda doesn't keep you away from your family or in a bar or justify cheating on your wife. There are worse things.
I agree, but I still love drinking something bubbly.
wow, judge much?
it may seem judgmental. but really, people need to take a stand and express their opinions for important causes. shaming people into giving up soda is probably not the best approach, but apparently providing medical documentation of its negative effect doesn't work either. why should my tax dollars go to pay for increased obesity education in the schools (right after they cut the PE programs, i might add) just because kids' parents won't wean them off the cola?
Hey Baby, you are preaching to the choir here. I use to drink about 3 a day! Ack! I feel much better off of the stuff. Excellent post!
First point: What do you care what anyone else is doing/thinking/eating/drinking? I love how your friend Trinity says, "Clearly you're not attacking anyone- you just hate soda." and then she follows that up with her VERY NEXT SENTENCE: "Working in schools, I see teachers come in with BUCKETS of soda...." So what? So they like their buckets of soda. Awesome. Bucket up, baby, it's your kidneys, your liver. Meanwhile Trinity can enjoy a lovely Tofu Smoothie and feel self-satified. (And hot as hell-- she really ought to feel hot as hell, all the time, because she really is hot as hell.)
Ok, now on to the issue at hand: Soda is bad for you. Clearly it is. But I go beyond the argument in front of us, to a much larger and over-arching fact: WE ARE LIVING LONGER NOW THAN EVER BEFORE. So if drinking Soda means we're going to die at age 82 instead of 87, BFD, in my opinion. Pancreatic Cancer at 82 from Diet Coke, vs. Prostate Cancer at 87 due to being a man with a prostate--- hell, flip a coin, either exit strategy sucks if you ask me. The world hates us all and wants us to die, and in the end, the world always accomplishes this goal.
Lastly, sorry to burst your bubble here, but he obesity "crisis" is no such thing. So people are fat. They have ever right to pad their personal temples however they see fit. They have the right to feed and plump up their kids. YOU have the right to tell their kids that their eating habits are probably not good, and that once they hit 18, they ought to look into chomping down an apple and slurping down a glass of water every so often.
And their KIDS have the right to pick their own diets once they hit that sacrosanct age.
I guess my bottom line is, worry about you and yours. Let everyone else pursue their happiness in whatever manner please them. This is America, baby.
Wait, no, THIS is Turkey, but THAT is America-- oh hell, you get my point.
(*consumed an entire can of Coke Zero as I wrote this.)
Totally guilty. I replace sugar with the diet stuff. Might not be much better, but like Paige said, it is the highlight of my day.
Sad, I know.
ah. brent and steve. we've been friends for 16 and 30 years, respectively. the problem with choosing intelligent, opinionated friends is that sometimes you disagree. and they are not afraid to hold back when sharing.
i guess the upside is that you can still be friends even after they leave windbag comments on your blog. a true friendship is expressed in much mutual toleration. and believe me, i understand the "mutual" component of it.
I haven't read any of these comments yet, but I will.
I'm just glad you didn't talk about chocolate or fried foods, so I can just sit here self-righteously and agree with you! =)
I need to subscribe. Way too fun.
I don't want to be too confrontational but in response to the living longer point: we will actually be the first generation that will not outlive our parents generation and it is specifically linked to diseases associated with obesity (speaking specifically of the United States here).
The problem with saying that a man is free to do what he wants to do to his body is that it is unfortunately never limited to his/her own body. The habits that are widely acceptable among adults will sadly become acceptable and adopted by our children and I find it irresponsible and indefensible to pass on devastatingly unhealthy habits to the next generation when I know full well they will have adverse affects upon them. Personally, I would rather leave the world a little better off than being able to say it's my right to self indulge. If I'm aware then I need to buck up and do better, I really do believe I am accountable for more than myself.
I agree with you! I don't drink soda. Diet or otherwise.
Hey watch this: http://www.ted.com/talks/jamie_oliver.html
"i guess the upside is that you can still be friends even after they leave windbag comments on your blog."
Let's not kid ourselves here, Andrea: you burned the friendship bridge with me when you publicly accused me of passing gas in a closed classroom and then started bringing Glade everyday as a reminder to everyone of your stinky accusation.
In your defense, though, it was me who passed the gas. Probably too much soda or something.
I don't know. Fruit juice is just as bad you know. Pure sugar. No nutrients at all except a little vitamen c, the absorption of which is likely canceled out by the preservatives.
anyway, i think sugared soda is only one part of the obesity equation. And I would put fat content in food and lack of exercise much higher than soda. The truth is, if you're exercising enough and drinking water, the affects of soda or miniscule compared to some other things. That said, I certainly don't want it shoved down kids' throats and in front of them at every pass of the head. I'd love to see it out of schools especially - and see it more as something you keep in your house for the occasional treat/indulgence - not the most readily available source of fluid on every corner.
So, I guess what i'm saying is soda isn't the real issue...you can't take away people's right to enjoy something they find flavorful and enjoyable. but we definitely get it out of schools and as a society, try to be more in control with it.
i mean, i already gave up the captain morgan's for hell's sake. can't a girl find a little indulgence somewhere?
I gave up alcohol and tobacco for Lent. This was a religious, Lenten oriented post right?
I gave up alcohol and tobacco for Lent.
That's what the post was about right?
I'm going to drink only Honey from now on. Zero calories, all natural, never goes bad, sweet and satisfying. And-- here in Turkey, locally made and sold, so I should even be appeasing the Walmart-is-Evil windbags with this decision.
Countdown to "Reasons why Honey is Evil" begiiiiiinnnnnnnsssss....NOW.
Loved the comment thread.
My thing is having soda in schools. Adults can do as they please, but don't give 6th graders pure sugar and then expect them to behave all day. My kids used to have a cookie and soda for lunch. It was faster then waiting in line for food, and they wanted recess.
Nice.
You crack me up! And yes, I was one of those "have to have a diet coke every single day" type of gals. . . until I received the health scare of my life. My perspective on the whole issue has certainly changed.
wow- i hardly ever come back to comments but skip getting his own post made me want to see what everyone else said... wow... this is hot...
brent has a good head on his shoulders. andrea, that's not very nice to say "windbag" comments but if it was a reference to his gas passing in jr high then I guess it is justified.
my favorite comment of all goes to jessica- logical, smart, temperate!
I'm with Clair--never go back and read old comments but Skip's post peaked my interest as well. You all are some highly entertaining people that just crack me up. I would love to be a fly on the wall and watch you and HappyBack get into a debate in the same room. That would be entertainment worth paying for. That is, if he wasn't in Turkey.
HappyBack: Honey has lots of calories, more than sugar. One teaspoon of table sugar contains 16 calories. One teaspoon of honey contains 22 calories. So gram for gram, honey is more fattening than table sugar. (Yes, I know you were being funny, but there are pedantic people on the internet.)
In MY opinion, the problem is High Fructose Corn Syrup, which is overly-laden in all kinds of things in the USA, not just sodas. A Google search will provide all kinds of health risks associated with that.
And artificial sweeteners are as bad or worse than sucrose, sorry. Again, Google that, it's rather scary and like smoking, it's forbidden in MY family. Period.
But yes, you're right, HB, we'll all die one day, regardless of how well we live. We will cause it by our behaviour or possibly we'll get mowed down by some guy on his way back from a three-Martini lunch. (Or more likely here, too much red wine.)
I'd just like to keep that endpoint as far in the future as possible, and listening to then following wise consul will help.
In MY opinion...
I'm not a soda drinker - give me cold water and a lemon and I'm good-to-go. In general, I have noticed this little aspect concerning human psychology: Attack, demean, point to all the scientific truths possible and a person will just become more entrenched in their personal dogma. Ever been around a teenager? Don't even get me started on politics:)
Heh Tara
My karma ran over your dogma...
(That was a light-hearted joke, by the way... I'll just be standing over here in the corner.)
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