Freshman environmental science and policy major
Many news outlets have been adamant that New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposed soda ban will backfire, saying it could potentially get New Yorkers to drink more sugary drinks instead of discouraging unhealthy drinks. Reaction to the proposal has ranged from defensive to derisive — and that’s just not what we need.
Perhaps, instead of mocking Bloomberg’s attempts to improve the health of his fellow citizens, people should feel shame. It’s no laughing matter when government officials feel compelled to protect their constituents’ health because the citizens are apparently unwilling to protect it themselves.
Given the poor eating habits I’ve witnessed all over the campus, it’s clear the city of College Park and the entire nation would benefit from embracing Bloomberg’s idea, rather than discounting it.
One of the greatest abuses of soda consumption to catch my eye occurs during my 8 a.m. lecture. Although I sympathize with my sleep-craving classmates, I can only feel repugnance when the person in front of me pops open a can of Coke to wash down a bag of dry cereal.
As a breakfast traditionalist, I was raised on orange juice, milk and bagels. A sip of soda before noon was sacrilege, not to mention extremely unhealthy. My recent sighting of a breakfast Pringle-eater in this same 8 a.m. left me wondering whether years of Eggo and “Got Milk?” advertising were lost on an entire generation.
Although limiting the size of a double-triple-ultra-mega-cappuccino from Starbucks or the amount of soda available in a single cup from the diner would probably not deter the most desperate among us from finding a quick method of waking up (that doesn’t involve altering sleep patterns or making responsible decisions), it would send a message to people who know the risks and choose to ignore them.
It would be insulting to recite the consequences of excessive sugar consumption. The dangers are well-known to anyone who hasn’t lived under a rock for the past several years. However, despite this common knowledge, many of us continue to trust impulse and convenience over good judgment and sound science.
It’s not always easy to eat healthily, especially when it comes to breakfast. To most of us, squeezing in that last bit of sleep is more preferable than waking up a few minutes earlier to make room for a hearty meal. Popping open a bag of chips is much easier than peeling a banana, and when it comes to that needed pick-me-up, soda offers a quick burst of energy that few healthy beverages can provide. However, if we’re serious about living past 40, we may need to adopt changes that are not terribly life-altering and require just a bit of restraint.
The lasting question, I suppose, is whether we want the government telling us what to eat when we could just put in the effort and exert some self-control. The next time you reach for that Coke in the morning, imagine an FBI agent standing over your shoulder. If that fails, imagine a fellow classmate judging you from behind, and with that lingering teenage insecurity activated, grab an apple instead.
Aaron Aber is a freshman environmental science and policy major. He can be reached at ajab423@verizon.net.
