Soda restrictions in NYC, aspartame in milk? Helping or hurting or just angry people? ~ Cynthia G. Creel

Soda restrictions in NYC, aspartame in milk?

Helping or hurting or just angry people?

~ Cynthia G. Creel 

My Story:

It was my daily routine adding up to 408,800 oz of soda! I drank in 5 years before the thought came to me, this is not good, can I stop. I think I can. My thoughts were only words I had said to myself, my gut said I didn't care enough about stopping and I might not be able too. I am not sure how much I have drank over my life time, I was “happy” and loved every drop. A spicy lunch and a regular Pepsi that was me. Over time all of this helped me gain around 40 pounds and the feeling like at any moment I was going to have a heart attack at age 50.

Using the techniques I created and deciding to stepping on to the path of True Health gave me control back into my life instead of Pepsico. Giving me the power and strength to say no and decide what was best to do for my situation.

Today I don’t want a Pepsi (or any other sweetened drink), I don’t crave it and I vote with my dollars with a NO vote for sweetened drinks by spending them on food that matches the Path of True Health.




Today’s story:

For months  now one of the hottest topics is New York City’s (NYC) ban on the sale of sugar sweetened drinks that was scheduled to go into effect on today, Tuesday, 3-12-2013. According to CBS’s This Morning (3) reported that this action was halted by the State Supreme Court Justice Milton Tingling Jr. ruled that the ban was “… arbitrary and capricious”  applying only to some drinks. He furthered wrote “…a host of other drinks containing substantially more calories and sugar then (those descried by the band) targeted… Including alcoholic beverages, lattes, milk shakes, (and) frozen coffees” The actual description of a sugary drink is non-alcoholic, sweetened by the manufacturer or establishment with sugar or other caloric sweetener, has gather then 25 calories per fluid 8 ounces of beverage and does not contain more then 50 percent of milk or milk substitute by volume as an ingredient.  the band described  by  the New York State Supreme Court Decision on Bloomberg’s Limits on Sugary Drinks. (2)  according to CBS’s This morning

The why:

This band has set off many options of it being just what we need to this is the worst thing that has happened. The government is trying to control what we eat. It is clear to me that Bloomberg’s has plans to help NYC with their obesity challenge by help creating this program and at this point to support Bloomberg's position  reports by  CBS’s This Morning(3)  that NYC will appeal the judge’s decision. Also Bloomberg’s further explanation of why was presented on the "Late Show with David Letterman"  that “For the first time in the history of the world, more people will die from overeating than under eating this year."

This is nothing new for Bloomberg’s NYC. NYC have been the front runner in helping bring back NYC’s health by taking direct attack where it was feasible for the NYC to help with the underlying problems helping the citizens help themselves by creating a program that worked with school age children, schools and families. The Centers for disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (4) weekly report December 16, 2011 reports that the obesity rates for New York City, 2006–07 to 2010–11 school years, grades K-8th, ages 5 - 14 years measuring nearly 100,000 students with 2 million BMI scores to in an effort to create a program that did reduce the  obesity in NYC school aged children of 5.5% with the largest decrease in Kindergartners  That is near 6% less students who are no longer carry as much weight helping the 5-6 year olds the most.

Does Bloomberg’s NYC have the right idea or is this just a fluke? Can it be duplicated? The newest report from the CDC (5) either a leveling or declining in childhood obesity in New York and in California. It was also cited that some cities in the Untied States had increases in obesity rates. Suggesting we have a long way to go to get this under control.

The thoughts last May were being reported by the New York Times (7) by public health officials as being a “breakthrough” in counteracting the consumption of the sugary drinks. Showing the intent of the officials.

Other drinks:

If not sweetened drinks that are being restricted, how about another part of the food industry spiking milk with aspartame and other chemical sweeteners?, including keep the information secret even from the parents as reported by the  Huffingtonpost (10)   Why would milk need to have that extra kick of sweetness? Could the milk industry now be in competition with the soda industry?  Soda companies increased the market by adding diet drinks with no extra calories added

Or could it be it is just more profitable because using aspartame you have replaced some of the product with a less expensive product that is man made?

Does there have to be calories attached to something to change our bodies? Many things don’t add calories yet affect us greatly, just as any drug doesn't have calories and there is a large effect or the sunshine doesn’t’ add calories and yet we can be sunburned with a  possible higher risk of cancer when over exposed to the sun’s rays.

How will aspartame help milk to be a better food? Or will it only help sell more milk?


Why not have the band?

There is a clear weight problem when the U.S. Coast Guard in 2011 had to raise the official definition of an “average” weight person from 140 pounds to 185 pounds in order to protect a ship from sinking due to excess weight the average person carries today . (8) This is only compounded by the ability of the food industry to create food that is love by taste only and their ability to market it to the world. This is only demonstrated in the article “Following the wolf in sheep’s clothing: Super bowl ads  worth every penny for the company if you buy.” (9), buy the advertising for the Super Bowl football game in 2012 cost for a 30 second ad runs almost 4 million dollars.

A company could be “profitable” they could pay for such an ad by selling taco’s or such, a lot of tacos. Taco Bell sold 300,000 million new tacos and ran their first ad this year. The question might be asked is that taco they make help the body or hurt it?  Soda companies were no different in their marketing to grab the consumers attention and their dollars. How much soda does a company have to sell to afford the 4 million plus the cost of making the ad and make it profitable in the long run. And why would they be adding aspartame to milk again?

There are those I have talked to that insisted they do not want the government telling them what to eat. If person has mindless eating and the companies are expert in moving a person to buy, then who is leading the person, themselves or the company? Who is for profit only? If the food industry have become so skilled at redirecting a person where they happily go down a path even if that path may lead to an early death then who will stop them?

Are people strong enough to say “no” or are they like I was just rolling along thinking this makes me feel good until the day I started having chest pains and about 40 pounds over weight at 50 years old. I can truthfully say, “It was my choice.” I can also say, “I never say any company in the food industry tell me anything but I would love their food and it would be good.

The best solution:

It is obvious to me NYC is doing something right, the facts are showing children doing better and dropping out of the obesity range with each year becoming better from 2006 to present. Other cities have been able to follow suit and still others are stuck and increasing the obesity levels in their city. If our government doesn’t help nudge us in the best direction who will? The companies? I think the companies have had many years to demonstrate their intent, to sell only without consideration of the true nature of the products, having an appearance of  “it is legal it is good“.

The question I have does NYC have the best solution? If they restrict only part of the sugary drinks then I think the effect is lost. People will just move to other sugary drinks or diet drinks with artificial sweetener. Instead if they create across the board tax of a penny to ten cents an ounce on any drink with any added sweetener. It would increase the price of something that is less desirable for your health and encourage the purchase of something else that may be more healthy. Even if milk as an added sweetener it would fall under this proposed solution. Protecting our children and helping adults also. If a person has the money they still will have the freedom to purchase it. Especially if it is a child with money burning their pocket, in this case less sweeteners would help them make a better choice.

Something has to give if the obesity, type two diabetes, heart disease, cancer, strokes and the list goes on affecting both adults and children. An unhealthy America is in need and has a very high maintenance. If a person is able to carry their own “weight” without much assistance than the next person or the government doesn't have to spend resources caring for them they can take care of themselves and only have to use the help of others when truly necessary.

If you don’t agree then consider this solution, support the part of the food industry that creates food that will help your body and mind. Don’t support ones that create food that will sell because it creates that “got to have feeling”.

Once I stepped on to the path of True Health it gave me the strength to say no even when there was a choice because it was the best thing for me. I am hoping you to make a choice to step on to the Path of True Health giving you the same strength as me. Taking back control from industry to the consumer, voting with your dollars for companies to create more ideal products with a higher purpose of helping others help themselves so every one can have a better feeling about life. Companies can make their profit that is needed, employees are fairly treated and consumers get a product of value.




By Design ~ "Bringing the living back into life

Photo creation by Cynthia G. Creel all rights reserved ©2013




3-12-2013 all rights reserved ©2013 written permission is needed to duplicate

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of By Design or Cynthia G. Creel. Consultation of a medical professional is highly recommended before any changes are considered. This article is not saying anyone person in a leadership position is unhealthy or healthy, it is just a possibly of many and is only speaking in general terms. .

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Sources:

(1) http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.c0935b9a57bb4ef3daf2f1c701c789a0/index.jsp?pageID=mayor_press_release&catID=1194&doc_name=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyc.gov%2Fhtml%2Fom%2Fhtml%2F2011b%2Fpr440-11.html&cc=unused1978&rc=1194&ndi=1

(2) http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/03/12/nyregion/12soda-decision.html?ref=nyregion&_r=0

(3) http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505269_162-57573777/nyc-sugary-drink-ban-bloomberg-sounds-off-in-wake-of-last-minute-hold-up/

(4) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6049a1.htm

(5) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6202a1.htm

(6) http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/nyregion/judge-invalidates-bloombergs-soda-ban.html?pagewanted=all

(7) http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/nyregion/judge-invalidates-bloombergs-soda-ban.html?ref=michaelrbloomberg



(8) http://lifeisgoodbydesign.blogspot.com/2013/03/europe-stronger-than-usa-cheap-food.html

(9) http://lifeisgoodbydesign.blogspot.com/2013/03/following-wolf-in-sheeps-clothing-super.html