Stratford Reacts to NYC Ban on Big Soft Drinks

News this week of New York City's passing of a law banning the sale of 16-ounce-plus sodas and other calorie-packed drinks was viewed as government overreach by many Stratford Patch readers.

"America is free," Cheryl Lemos wrote on the Stratford Patch Facebook page. "Who is government to tell us what we can and cannot eat and what is or is not healthy for US?? I don't need, want or expect government to take care of me or my family."

On the same platform, Rob Gilmore opined, "It's government going too far. Yes movie sodas are too large but it doesn't mean you have to drink the whole thing but you should have the freedom to do so."

"Disgusting overreach of the Nanny state," wrote Matt DeBernardo.

The ban, passed by the city’s board of health, puts the 16-ounce size limit on non-diet soda, sweetened teas, and similar drinks chock-full of calories, The Associated Press reports.

The pop prohibition will apply in fast-food eateries, movie theatres, workplace cafeterias and most other places selling prepared food, according to The AP, but not in supermarkets or most convenient stores (so the Big Gulp remains).

Stratford Director of Health Andrea Boissevain said while she would probably not support a town-wide ban on sugary drinks, it's important to know the stats behind your beverage.

"It's a matter of choice [but] some of those drinks have 30-40 grams of sugar in a single drink," she said. "If you drink three sodas, [that's] 105 grams of sugar."

The problem with large, sugar-stacked drinks, Boissevain said, is that the calories are empty so the appetite is rarely satisfied, which "messes up calorie balance."

"It contributes highly to excess calories [and] if you eat [or drink] more calories than you expend, it creeps up on you," she said.

Boissevain said it shouldn't be about forcing regulations on people for what they can or cannot eat or drink but rather trying to encourage an active, healthy lifestyle.