Thinking About Soft Drinks

Everyone has an opinion about New York City’s planned new law banning large soft drinks. Whether you think it’s a good law or bad law depends mostly on your view of the proper role of government in our lives.

Public opinion polls show a majority of Americans oppose New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plan to limit single servings of sugary drinks to 16 ounces at restaurants and other public venues.

But some things about soft drinks are not opinions — they’re facts. Here are some statistics from a UCLA Center for Health Policy Research report that highlight the effect of soft drinks on our health:

Soda is the number-one source of added sugar in the American diet.
Each American consumes an average of 50 gallons of sugar sweetened soft drinks per year.
Almost half of the additional calories growth in our diet since the 1970′s come from soda.
41% of children ages 2-11 drink at least one soda or other sugar-sweetened beverage every day.
That number goes up to 62% of adolescents ages 12-17.
Only 1 in 4 adults drinks pop though.
Adults who do drink one or more sodas or other sugar-sweetened beverages each day are 27% more likely to be overweight or obese.
The average American consumes 22 teaspoons of added sugar a day vs. the recommended 5-9. That 200-400% more than recommended.
If you think that’s a high number, just one 20 fl oz single use bottle of soda has 17 teaspoons of sugar.

Many of the medical professionals fighting obesity and diabetes are voicing their support for Mayor Bloomberg’s proposal.

Whether the law passes or fails, here’s one more fact for you: You don’t need a law to start taking personal responsibility for what you put into your body. It’s that sense of taking responsibility that is a major reason that so many of our patients are enjoying exciting, new healthy lives. By opting for weight-loss surgery, they’ve decided to leave their old lives behind. Our successful patients give up soft drinks, knowing that it doesn’t make sense to waste the space in their new, smaller stomachs on empty calories.

If you’re morbidly obese — and diets and exercise have not worked for you — why not give us a call to learn how we can help you make a big difference in your life? To make an appointment to see one of our surgeons, call our office at (516) 616-5500, or fill out our easy online contact form now.

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I went in for surgery. An hour later, I came out a new man.

5.0

Everybody treated me like a king. The day of surgery, I was excited. The hospital couldn’t be any nicer. I went in for surgery. An hour later, I came out a new man. My recovery was awesome. I was out of bed that day. My wife and kids were my motivation on getting this surgery. They are my whole life. I’m happy I’m going to be around for them.

I hit my goal weight ... and I feel fabulous

5.0

I had the gastric bypass. I am Type 2 Diabetic and I wanted to gain control of my sugar. I hit my goal weight in about 5 and half months and I feel fabulous. The procedure has completely changed my life for the better because it has empowered me as a middle aged woman that I can really do everything and anything that I want to do. I don't put an age on anything. I don't say I'm too old for something.

I was tired of the way I looked. I was tired of the way I felt.

5.0

I knew if I didn't change something soon, I was going to be in a lot of trouble. The consultation process was a lot easier than I expected. I was met with open arms. I was treated like I was the only patient here. Not only did they answer all of my questions, they had questions for me to make sure I was the right candidate for the surgery. After surgery and that weight started dropping off, my life started changing for the better.

I feel like a completely different person.

5.0

I had the gastric sleeve procedure. The driving factor behind me getting this procedure was my health. I didn't feel good physically or mentally. I had joint pains, even standing was difficult sometimes. Emotionally, this surgery completely turned my life around. I have so much more confidence. So much more happiness. I feel like a completely different person. I feel stronger. I feel able to accomplish more.

It saved my life.

5.0

The driving factor behind me getting my procedure was that I couldn't get up off the floor with my granddaughter. That was my why. That was my big reason for having this surgery done. After surgery, it was a little bit of a struggle with what to eat. What you put in your mouth that you don't even think about. You don't think about what you're eating or how you're eating and portion size. It's what I do now every single day. The procedure has changed my life in so many ways. It saved my life.

I am totally comfortable in my own skin.

5.0

I think I always grew up identifying myself as less than other people because I was fat. I decided to tackle that and just live my life. I had a sleeve gastrectomy. It changed how I view myself. How I communicate with people. I'm able to be much more of myself and live the life I always thought I should have been living. I am totally comfortable in my own skin. You have the tools you need to succeed here.

I have a brand new life. I can do things I couldn't do before.

5.0

I had a vertical sleeve gastrectomy because I had just become diabetic, and I had hypertension for many years. I lost a total of 157 pounds in 11 months. I have a brand new life. I can do things I couldn't do before. Everyone at New York Bariatric Group has been wonderful. They are kind. They are understanding. They make you feel comfortable. They will guide you every step of the way on your journey so that you can be successful.

Thinking About Soft Drinks

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