Comments on: Resist the Temptations of Soda and Fast Food (81/365)

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:07:12 +0000

5 cents per ounce is like $0.60 per can or $3+ for a 2L bottle. That’s probably the case if you’re shopping at a vending machine, liquor store, or movie theater, but I think a more realistic price at a grocery store is more like 3 cents per ounce (when not on sale).

Ditto to the commenter that pointed out that, often, foods advertised as healthy snacks aren’t always that great for you.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 23:15:09 +0000

Eh, I like my Diet Dr. Pepper. If that’s the worst thing I do I’d say I’m incredibly okay.

By: Sara

Sara — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 22:11:45 +0000

Holy crap, Lisa — you were spending more than $80/month on soda?! My rule of thumb is that I buy soda only when it’s $.25/can or less. At that price, I’d have to drink more than 10 cans/day to spend $80/month.

By: AD @ eachpesocounts

AD @ eachpesocounts — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:06:08 +0000

This article is very timely. A lot of us know what long term benefits cutting back on soda (sugar) and fast food (empty calories) will make on our health but we just can’t really fight the urge to “indulge” on something that makes us feel good – other than the fact it kicks you after a couple of weeks and you’ve “surprisingly” gained a few pounds (from personal experience). Krantcents got it right too.

By: Jules

Jules — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 07:05:07 +0000

I feel obligated to point out that granola bars are about as bad (if not worse) than an order of small fries. Though it could be that my idea of “small” has been miniaturized somewhat due to my living in Europe for a while. But the point is that some foods that we think of as “healthy” aren’t, and other foods that are “unhealthy” are probably healthier than some of the healthy foods. To my mind, what matters more is eating a wide variety of foods, and acclimatizing your palate to lots of differnt flavors. An occasional splurge at McDonald’s, in this context, isn’t a problem.

By: Krantcents

Krantcents — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:40:52 +0000

Small changes work best. Give up one day of soda or junk food and build from there.

By: Johanna

Johanna — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:36:34 +0000

“Much like soda, there are long term health costs associated with repeated use.”

This article, likewise, has incredibly little to do with long-term health costs of fast food.

By: Lisa Newton

Lisa Newton — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:28:28 +0000

This isn’t as difficult as it sounds.

For years, the only beverage I drank at home was diet soda. Many years ago, it wasn’t as expensive as it currently is. Plus, you could get it on sale and store it for a while.

Then, about 9 months ago, it suddenly occurred to me just how much money I was wasting on soda. Plus, because name brand diet soda didn’t go on sale as frequently, and even then the price was pretty high, I started drinking generic brands.

These weren’t as appealing.

So, one day I said, enough is enough.

Since that day, I have started drinking iced tea, which I make at home.

Not only am I saving money (approximately, $80 per month), I feel healthier and better yet, sleep better. When I make my tea, I use half decaf.

So, now, my routine is to make sure I have iced tea in the fridge, and I really enjoy it.

By: lurker carl

lurker carl — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:20:48 +0000

Hopefully, the substitutes for sodas and fast food are more healthful. Make sure they aren’t nutritionally empty and loaded with the same undesirable sugars, fats, sodium and chemicals that you’re trying to avoid. Price isn’t everything when it comes to food.

By: Johanna

Johanna — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:11:43 +0000

“Studies like this one have shown a direct correlation between soda consumption and health care costs later on in life.”

The linked study has nothing to do with health care costs later in life.