Soda tax – you heard me. I was reading today that Congress is studying the issue of taxing soda. Will a tax help to reign in the average American?s consumption of a beverage that is by any measure, not so good for you?
I?m a pretty moderate person, and that goes for soda too. I realize that sodas aren?t very good for me, but sometimes on a long road trip, I get a wild sugar craving and indulge it. I?m not too worried about the 6 or so sodas that I drink a year. But the average person in the United States drinks 54 gallons of soda and other sugary beverages a year ? and nutritionists tell us that?s trouble. Over consumption of sugar is obviously a health issue ? contributing to diabetes, obesity and also distracting us from highly nutritious foods. Even if you drink the sugar free soft drinks, it seems to me that you?re just drinking a big ol? can of chemicals. Um?yum?
I?m not totally anti-sugar, but we all know that there?s a limit to the amount of sugar you should have in a healthy diet. Since 33% of the sugar in our diets comes from soda it?s easy to cut back if you cut out the soda. I know, sometimes you just like to have a cool, refreshing, fizzy drink ? consider the fruit juice sweetened sodas. That?s what I keep around the house and the kids and I enjoy them occasionally.
Will a soda tax decrease your soda consumption, or will it make you so mad that you?ll dump cases of Pepsi into Boston Harbor?