Breaking: soda banned in New York City...sort of.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has issued a ban [1] on the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks (anything over 16 ounces) at restaurants, movie theaters, and street vendors.

It’s part of his initiative to fight obesity, which is a growing problem affecting the nation. The ban was approved by the NYC Board of Health Thursday and will take effect in six months. It includes: sugary drinks like energy drinks, presweetened iced teas, and nondiet soda. Fruit juices, milkshakes and other dairy-based drinks, or alcoholic beverages aren't included. (Whew, it might've been hard to go completely cold turkey.)

And while this is a great step forward, plenty of food out there is just as bad—if not worse than soda or these other sugary drinks. 

How Soda Measures Up

A 20 oz bottle of soda has 240 calories and about 28 teaspoons of sugar. (Yikes.)

• Fruit drinks—soda in disguise. FDA says any drink with “some” fruit juice in it can be called a fruit drink. An 8 oz glass of orange juice (112 cal) has eight teaspoons of sugar. An 8 oz. can of soda (97 cal) has 10 teaspoons.
• Regular bacon. A breakfast favorite. You’re basically eating fried fat [2] and salt. Two slices are around 120 cal, 10 grams of fat (3g saturated).
• Chocolate-covered donuts. Trans fat + sugar + calories = a recipe for unhealthy eating. Now add chocolate. 1 doughnut will cost you 300 cal, 19g fat (6g saturated).
• Sour cream and onion chips. If you’re not careful with this snack you could end up eating the entire bag. That’s a lot of sodium, fat, and empty calories. For 150 cal, 10 g fat (3g saturated) and 210 mg sodium, you can eat 12 chips.
• Mozzarella sticks…aka fat fried in fat. Four pieces equals 430 cal, 23g fat (10g saturated) and 1370 mg. 

Help create a healthier lifestyle for your family and friends. Start by making a healthy living cookbook. GO [3]