Why are soft drinks particularly conducive to weight gain?

Studies show that beverages promote weight gain more than solid foods. When people consume a solid food, they are more likely to compensate and reduce their consumption of other calories. However, that "compensation" does not occur as much after drinking a caloric beverage, so the calories from the drink become "extra" calories. Of course, people should also limit their consumption of other high-calorie foods with limited nutritional value. It is easier to go over the limit with soft drinks and that is why our country has such a problem with it's obesity. Also, we must monitor the consumption that our children take in of these products. It is easy for them to come home from school and grab a coke. They have no idea of the effect that it has on their body. Start by making the availability of soft drinks in your home from less to even none. Then talk to your children and set some rules about after school drinks. This way, we can works towards a better, more healthy nation.

Why Tax Soft Drinks?

Taxing the one beverage or food that has been shown to promote weight gain is a sensible means of reducing consumption and generating revenues that could help fund health-care and obesity-prevention measures. "A small tax, such as a 5% sales tax would generate revenues without significantly affecting consumption, while a larger tax, such as a penny per ounce (12 cents per can), would raise more money and reduce consumption. Tobacco taxes have contributed to reductions in cigarette consumption and smoking rates, particularly among children." Taxing soft drinks is both ridiculous and sensible at the same time. It is ridiculous because people should not have to be taxed on their favorite beverage. It would cause chaos and protest. It is sensible because of the affects that soft drinks have made on our population. They are one of the bas reasons for our huge problem of obesity in the United States. I think that soft drinks should be taxed in effort to promote health in our country.

What to do in the Super Market

Soft drinks in and of themselves are not completely bad for you, and there is room for them here and there as a treat, just like ice cream and candy. They can hardly be considered a daily staple, although that is exactly what they have become thanks to the efforts of the beverage industry.

But you can easily fight back. Just skip the beverage aisle at the supermarket on your next grocery trip. And the one after that. And the one after. In one year, you’ll have saved $500 for a family of four, and most likely lost a few pounds too.

16 Online Facts About Soft Drinks:

1. Over 10.7 million Californians over the age of one drink at least one soda a day (or other sugar-sweetened beverage).

2. 41% of children ages 2-11 drink at least one soda or other sugar-sweetened beverage every day.

3. That number goes up to 62% of adolescents ages 12-17.

4. Only 1 in 4 adults drinks pop though.

5. Adults who do drink one or more sodas or other sugar-sweetened beverages each day are 27% more likely to be overweight or obese.

6. The average American consumes 22 teaspoons of added sugar a day, vs the recommended 5-9. That 200-400% more than recommended.

7. If you think that’s a high number, just one 20 fl oz single use bottle of soda has 17 teaspoons of sugar.

8. Almost half of the additional calories growth in our diet since the 1970’s come from soda.

9. Each American consumes an average of 50 gallons of sugar sweetened soft drinks per year.

10. Soda is the #1 source of added sugar in the American Diet.

11. Two thirds of all High Fructose Corn Syrup goes into soft drinks.

12. The average size of a soda increased from 6.5 oz in the 1950’s to 16.2 oz today (149% increase!)

13. Milk consumption, on the other hand has decreased by 33% in the last 30 years.

14. Each additional daily serving of soda increases a child’s chance risk for obesity by 60%.

15. In the last 25 years, the obesity rate in California rose from 8.9% to 24.3%. That’s one in four Californians!

16. The cost in medical and health expenses to the state is estimated at $41 billion.
Gives some perspective on what the CEO of Coca Cola wrote in the Wall Street Journal about Coke not causing Obesity, doesn’t it?

America's Other Drink

Americans are not aware of the amount of sugar and other things that they are putting inside their bodies everyday. When your energy feels low and you need a boost, people automatically resort to soft drinks for an extra kick of caffeine.


According to the National Soft Drink Association (NSDA), consumption of soft drinks is now over 600 12-ounce servings (12 oz.) per person per year. Since 1978, soda consumption in the US has tripled for boys and doubled for girls. Young males age 12-29 are the biggest consumers at over 160 gallons per year—that’s almost 2 quarts per day. At these levels, the calories from soft drinks contribute as much as 10 percent of the total daily caloric intake for a growing boy.

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