Here we are almost halfway into the first month of the new year and things seem to be moving along quickly already. I enjoy these first few new weeks as they afford an opportunity to take stock and reflect on goals for the next 12 months.
I’m not a huge resolution guy, but I do consider certain aspects of life that could use some improving at this time of year. OK, first on the list is a nutritional health issue for me. During the past couple of months I have enjoyed too much cheese. My friend Steve calls the seasonal binge the “cheeses of Nazareth.” Every year I convince myself that I can eat every cheese known to man because it is the holidays and I know that January will come eventually and I can turn the binge off until next year.
Another big one for me this year will be to avoid pop, diet pop and sports drinks. I have tried to gradually wean myself off these for a few years now and appreciate some of the work that has gone on by organizations and governments to alert the public as to the health issues that come along with the consumption of sugary drinks.
I spend my days working with kids and teaching them about food and nutritional health and I now feel compelled to bring a discussion about beverages into the mix.
The Jamie Oliver Foundation has made inroads in promoting the idea of taxing sugary drinks in the hopes of stemming the increasingly alarming rate of global childhood obesity. Much of that work has been initiated in the United Kingdom and some concrete results are being realized.
The basic concept is that tax revenues gained from the penalty on sugary drinks would go back into the health system and into the education system to promote healthy eating and sports.
In a letter to Canadians via the Globe and Mail this past fall, Oliver notes, “The cost of obesity and diet-related disease is a true cost in tax to every Canadian — obesity costs Canada between $4.6-billion to $7.1-billion annually in health costs and lost productivity. And that’s not good in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.”
The Liberal government has gone down the road on this front and will be introducing new labelling for sugar-laden beverages. The possibility of a tax is on the horizon here as well.
In terms of revenues generated, Oliver cites, “The University of Waterloo says a Canadian sugary drinks tax would raise a massive $43.6-billion over 25 years. Imagine what a huge difference that could make for Canadian kids if spent well.”
If you thought drinking diet pop was the answer to enjoying flavourful bubbles, like I have over the past couple of years, you may want to reconsider your reasoning.
Recent observational studies have shown a correlation between an increase in risk of stroke and a host of other medical problems with diet drinks as well. It would seem that the artificial sugars confuse the brain, which requires glucose for fuel, and subsequently puts more pressure on kidney and liver function.
Opponents to the idea of taxes wonder where the line should be drawn. Tax fruit juice? Wine? Beer?
I think that we should hone in on the kids first. Tax the pop and drink more water.
Mike Schneider is founder of Project Pickle and likes to write about growing, cooking and eating food. He is a Jamie Oliver Food Revolution ambassador.
