Friday, January 18, 2013

Is Coke the Devil? Please Weigh In

I need your help. I can't decide what to think about the current Coke Wars. 

You may have heard about or seen this video, The Real Bears, which connects the dots between sugary soda, obesity and diabetes. This inflammatory piece, produced by The Center for Science in the Public Interest with a song featuring Jason Mraz, has been kicked around the news media a lot recently. But I'm not entirely on board with positioning Coke as the root of all evil.
Any organization with a name like The Center for Science in the Public Interest is one I instinctively want to support. I have no reservations about labeling myself a "bleeding-heart liberal." But still, I have trouble pinning all the blame for a ballooning nationwide epidemic (excuse the pun) on one soda company.

Last week, Coke revealed its response in an ad campaign about "coming together" to help fight obesity and all of its causes. It is easy to approach this response with a cynical eye and dismiss the campaign as a simple attempt at damage control. But it is hard to deny that the company has already made significant change in the right direction. The "coming together" ad notes that Coke has stopped selling the beverages with the highest sugar content in middle schools (but interestingly, there's no note of what's being sold in high schools). The company now offers smaller serving-size cans, supports programs to get kids active, and continues to research new sweetener options, among other changes. 
Yes, the point can be made that these initiatives were the result of public pressure and a growing concern that the company may not have our children's best interest at heart. Personally, I believe that as a nation, we need to continue to demand that Coke does all it can to find cleaner beverage alternatives and promote healthy choices. The fight is not over. But still, can we really blame the entire obesity situation on a single product?

As always, I advocate for moderation in all things. As much as we laugh at Mayor Bloomberg's smaller cup campaign, he's got a good point. A reasonably-sized Coke, enjoyed occasionally, is not so awful. It's similar to eating one brownie instead of the entire pan. If you have no self control, don't buy the two-liter of Coke, and don't bake the brownies. No matter how much we like to place blame on corporate America for all of the country's ills, at some point we need to take personal responsibility for our own lifestyle, and our own weight.

Speaking of weighing in, here's where I need your help:  What do you think of the new Coke campaign? Are the Coke polar bears the new Marlboro Man? Is Coke the symbol of all that is wrong with America or an America on the mend? If you drink soda (which, for the record, I don't -- though I wouldn't begrudge anyone their fix), how much is a reasonable amount? 
Please continue the discussion in the comments box below.


Disclosure Notes: Decades ago, when my sister worked for Coca-Cola Enterprises, the world's largest Coke bottler, she traveled the globe helping to implement a new computer system for the company. During this time, the MOTH and I were treated to a few company- paid vacations to visit her where she worked, including trips to Seattle and Maui. Also, a former Coke executive remains a close family friend. Lastly, please note: though I used to drink quite a bit of Diet Coke, I haven't had a carbonated beverage in over a decade, simply because I've outgrown the taste for it.

8 comments:

  1. I think that soda changes our brain chemistry in such a way that "willpower" cannot win against it!

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    1. And yet I am an example of someone who kicked the aspartame habit.

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  2. This is a good topic to discuss. I agree with you in regard to the issue of personal responsibility. Far too often people are not held accountable for their own actions, and are taught to blame others for their bad decisions.
    It's very nice of Mayor Bloomberg to take it upon himself to tell us what is best for us. I wish we had someone like that where I live, since it is JUST SO HARD making decisions for myself!
    Ultimately I think there are 2 things that seem to be working well: Education and Social Awareness (yes.. they do overlap). The fact is that there are MANY more options at basic grocery stores than there were 20 years ago. And people in general seem to be aware of which options are better, even if they don't choose them. This has opened many new markets and companies are quickly acting to take advantage of them. Coke is just one example, but I see it in the markets, fast food chains, and other restaurants as well.

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    1. That pressure to "expand the brand" has brought unsweetened iced teas into many more restaurants and fast food chains -- a huge bonus in my narrow little world.

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  3. I enjoy Coke products. I have always taught my 7 children personal responsibility especially when their precious bodies are concerned...if any physical appetites have power over our minds, we have problems. My grandchildren enjoy a soda occasionally. A son and a son-in-law never drink soda, their choice, even though it is always in our house. In my opinion, it is not Mayor B's job to tell me what or how much soda to consume. What's next to be government regulated? I grew up in a world where people enjoyed Coke, etc, but we did not have today's obesity problems. Maybe Mayor B, instead, should require physical activity, etc. I admit I'm not happy that my insurance premiums have risen as obesity related diseases have also risen...that I have to pay for other's problems when I make responsible choices for myself. I'm part of a few baking groups...have baked goods of several types in my house all the time. Hubby tastes and even indulges on the weekends, but chooses to leave alone all my wonderful, mouthwatering confections most of the time...he's not gained 1 pound even with all the butter and sugar always in our house. All choices. If we don't make good choices about something so simple as soda pop, do all our other decisions also need to be government regulated? I'm rambling on and on, but I don't think that the purpose of our government is to regulate how much Coke we can drink during our meal...probably be better to cut out the booze!

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    1. Yes, physical activity is a critical part of the bigger picture, and so is portion control.

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  4. I know this doesn't really add to the argument, but I like Diet Coke more than regular Coke. That being said, if anyone tried to limit the amount I drank, I wouldn't be too happy as I'm the one paying for it. Also, limiting the cup size doesn't make too much sense when I can buy as much as I want from the grocery store.

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  5. Our government is historically mandated to provide for the common defense. Is this a war on obesity? I think that case can be made and there regulations are justified. There are safety standards for cars, buildings, and food production. Bloomberg is trying for standards in consumption and I applaud his efforts even if I do not agree with every single proposal. I just agree with most.

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