Another Refill?

I'm sure you remember the failed policy that New York Mayor Bloomberg attempted to pass earlier this year, the ban on sodas 16 oz. or larger. It's not surprising that such a policy didn't work out as people need to make better choices on their own. However, I do agree that something needs to be done about the sugary drinks as so many people are obese.

One solution might be to stop offering self service for sodas at fast food restaurants. I don't know how many times I've witnessed people refilling their large sodas at McDonald's. Not only have these people ingested what was probably a huge meal full of calories, they went and piled more sugar and calories on by having 2 or 3 servings of soda. I think the only self service machine should be for water, coffee or unsweetened iced tea.

The government doesn't need to step in but McDonald's and Burger King and all the others should do something to discourage larger size sodas. What if these restaurants only offered refills for water for free? If someone really wants another soda, they can pay for another one.

It's just too easy for the average person to go get a refill the way it is now. Kids also are refilling their own sodas, not just adults. When I was a kid, I remember my parents would only get me one small drink with a meal. This was enough for me, although I would always try to get a large and they would say no. The large soda cup sizes were like the mediums cup sizes are today. Some kids will fill their cups with every soda that's offered. Can you imagine all the artificial coloring and sugar that's in there? By removing the self serve machines, it would remove the temptation of overloading on soda.

I think Mayor Bloomberg's heart was in the right place, but the way he banned drink sizes would not work. It's up to the restaurants to make these positive changes.

I am glad that fast food restaurants offer apple juice or bottled water. That is a step in the right direction. Soda is nothing but empty calories and sugar. Diet soda isn't better either with the aspartame. The best drink of choice is water but I don't see too many people ordering it in fast food restaurants.