The San Fran Ban: San Fransisco Bans Sugary Drinks in Vending Machines!
Although the city of San Fransisco can only control the types of beverages that are in the vending machines on city property; it is such a fantastic step in the right direction that I want to give a big ‘thumbs-up’ to the city officials who are intelligent enough to do this formally! Excellent move on their part and I hope many more cities follow this example!
I would have included diet drinks, since aspartame and other artificial sweeteners can do as much, if not more damage to the brain’s biochemistry as sugar. I would allow beverages that use natural sweeteners to be distributed in the vending machines, so people have a wide selection of natural and healthy sodas.
I would also include an herbal tea and an organic fair trade coffee selection along with the fruit and vegetable juices, soy milk, rice milk, and other options. A natural organic Lemonade sweetened with white grape juice would also be a suitable alternative.
I would recommend Brain Toniq and Reed’s China Cola and Ginger Ale along with the healthy Jones Sodas. There are other beverages, but these are my favorites!
I hope that the San Fran Ban will become a model for other communities and even offices and other locations to offer a healthy drink, instead of soda pop or those wannabees. Please give them some positive feedback and encourage your local officials to follow suit!
The doctors talked about the importance of water, either too little of it or too much and the health risks associated with dehydration or overconsumption of water and soda pop. Dr. Travis challenged one young woman to drink water with fresh fruit to replace her soda pop which she drinks more than five times a day. She took the bait after hearing about the health issues of not drinking pure water daily. Although I think we need more than a Brita filter, the doctors gave some good reasons to begin to pay more attention to the quality of water we drink. The golden rule is to drink whenever you are genuinely thirsty.
Next, we can take this example and apply it to all the public and private schools, work places, and sports venues. This could create a domino effect!
I hope they also offer bottled water during the summer, so tourists and government workers can stay properly hydrated during hot days and warm evenings in public areas.
The San Fran Ban…hip, hip, hooray!
