Amen to the Obesity Tax, Let’s Just Call it Something Else

By Dr. Nicole Sundene

Honestly, I’m not sure if the NY officials in charge of the “Obesity Tax” truly intend to call it thus, or if the media has just coined the phrase.

However, there are many more causes than just soda when it comes to obesity. And there are many more ills upon society that soda is at fault for.

Furthermore, beverages with sugar substitutes such as aspartame and splenda (sucralose) also make people fat so those should be equally taxed as the Cephalic Response created by these sweet flavored toxins makes us hungry, which makes us eat more, which makes us fatter.

Also, I would suggest that New York tax juice containing High Fructose Corn Syrup. The only thing that makes me mad about the obesity tax is that it is called the “Obesity Tax.” Why pick on people who are overweight? Poking fun at someone for being obese or “taxing them” is truly unfair and perhaps unconstitutional.

Six Better Names for the “Obesity Tax”

#1 The Water Tax: How about just straight across the board tax all beverages that are not plain water? Water is what nature intended for humans to drink after they were weaned.

I wish it was mandatory for all vending machines to sell bottled water at a four time reduced rate than the typical vending beverage. When we see water priced the same as a fruity looking or flashy drink we immediately feel deprived if we pick water, and from a psychological standpoint we all want to get the most for our money.

Not all beverages are unhealthy, but they all still have containers that place an environmental burden on our planet and our seventh generation. I say we tax everything but water, and let water, the “pristine health beverages for all humans”, be tax exempt from this environmental fee.

#2 The Dental Carry Tax: Why haven’t dentists spoken up on this issue? I’ll bet we could fund dental coverage (and maybe even some bling diamond grills) for all the kids in America and Africa if we taxed both sodas and refined candies. It’s not just the HFCS in sodas that is the problem; it is the acids that erode enamel, with sports drinks like Red Bull being the worst offenders.

#3 The Diabetes Tax: Diabetics cost the health care system $13 dollars per every $1 dollar that is spent on the average healthy person. Now I don’t need a bunch of hate mail from Type I diabetics, although you all know that you shouldn’t be drinking HFCS either, but people in America are literally drinking themselves diabetic with soda consumption.

It is not normal to drink calories unless you are getting them off your mother’s teat. For everyone else, water and herbal tea should be staples while red wine, organic coffee, and pure fruit juice can be enjoyed in moderation in exchange for their beneficial antioxidants.

#4 The Pollution Tax: If you are purchasing a bottle that cannot be recycled or reused then the environment should have the right to tax you!

Plastic bottles in our landfills are a problem that no one within the last century has taken a seriously critical look at. Plastics have really only been on the scene since 1950 and their use has only escalated in the last few decades.

What most people don’t consider with plastics is that we have introduced a new substance into the environment, and in LARGE quantities.

Some constituents such as phthalates, BPA, and other such “xenoestrogens” are already showing carcinogenic qualities as well as issues with endocrine system disruption as their steroidal molecular structure weakly mimics estrogen and thus may be a culprit or contributor to estrogen sensitive cancers.

We are already seeing an increased percentage of females species in smaller species.  Larger species are yet to follow.  As much as I am for equal rights I don’t think that plastics are the best way for women to take over the world!

Think of all the plastic in our landfills that will inevitably break down in a thousand years. The pollution from that will likely wipe out all human existence. But that is just my biochemical and medical opinion…and what do I know after ten years of studying this stuff.

If I get to place a vote on what New York should call this tax, I vote to call it the pollution tax. We need to be drinking filtered water out of our reusable glass jars or Klean Kanteen containers.

#5 The Bad Parenting Tax: If you are feeding your kids tons of sodas and hotdogs, and not actual whole food and balanced nutrition then you should be taxed. If you aren’t doing it that often, then you shouldn’t even notice the increased 20 cents on the beverage.

Hopefully this “parenting tax” will go towards better parent education for parents, and television programs that will both educate and inspire parents to provide more wholesome foods for children. It isn’t just about their childhood, you know?

They are going to grow up with the habits that you teach them. The habits they see in you will influence them and they are going to end up a casualty of the American Health Care Crisis, which is actually a problem caused by the food that graces our kitchen tables…or worse yet, our cars and minivans when we drive through.

#6 The Health Care Burden Tax: Aside from the aforementioned soda consumption is also implicated in osteoporosis and heart disease.  Two GIANT burdens on the health care system.

Americans are soon to likely overtake Finland in the challenge to become the MOST unhealthy country in the world. I am not sure how it is possible that Finland is more unhealthy than us–what are they chain smoking and chugging lard for breakfast?

I’m not sure, but Barack Obama will never be able to fix the health care crisis until he fixes the crisis at every American kitchen table. What we need is not health care what we need is AFFORDABLE healthy food.  Imagine if the billions of dollars wasted on prescription meds were actually funneled in to healthy eating and nutrition programs for all Americans?

We know diet and lifestyle prevent disease. However, our cheap processed food options limit us from practicing true prevention. The Reason why our healthcare system is in crisis is that Americans eat the cheapest food they can possibly find. Is this just the case in strapped families and broke college students? No. We have CEO’s of companies feeding their kids mac and cheese from a box, hot dogs, and dinonuggets when they can easily afford better.

You are what you eat. Set the example for young children now, as at these rates likely one in three children born today will end up diabetic. Europeans shop from produce stands and local delis three times a week. Americans shop at large Warehouses to stock up on bomb shelter food monthly.

This has to change.

Con’s of the Obesity Tax:

• Obesity is a clinical term and diagnosis and it is unfair to tax individuals and stigmatize them.
• The money from the obesity tax will be utilized for balancing the NY state budget and will not directly go towards improving health care, helping obese people lose weight, or anything of the like.
• Many people don’t believe taxing is the answer.  I’m Swedish so I say tax away! You can feel free to send me hate mail on this one if you wish, but I already get enough.  Trust me.

Pro’s of the Obesity Tax:

• Makes unhealthy food products less affordable.
• Media coverage of this tax has brought to national attention the crisis we have with soda consumption.
• Increased awareness of High Fructose Corn Syrup.
• Just like the cigarette tax, if it stops just one person from smoking and developing cancer then the tax is a success.  If we educate one person about drinking calories and they don’t become obese and diagnosed with Type II diabetes, then I call the “Obesity Tax” a success.

What are your thoughts on the Obesity Tax?

©KitchenTableMedicine.com, LLC ™

McInflammation: Are You Really “Loving It”?

Recently a friend reported over dinner that his inflammatory problem (and let’s just say almost all medical problems are caused by inflammation) was not much better.

He said he was diligently taking everything I had recommended, and had only noted minor improvement.

Although natural remedies take time, I was curious how the dietary recommendations were going….you know, the most important part of his prescription? To no surprise, he was struggling to make the necessary changes.

As I climbed in to his car to head to our next destination I noted the eight bags of fast food littering his car floor.

“Well here is the source of McInflammation in your diet right here!” Read more

©KitchenTableMedicine.com, LLC ™

Fast Food Survival Guide

Fast food has become a way of life. Every day millions of Americans line up, or drive-thru fast food restaurants for convenient breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks.
If you are one of these individuals and you desire the healthiest choices, look for consumer information and focus on identifying the lowest fat options.
Survival guides to fast food come in the form of nutrition information brochures. Many chains also post charts of nutrition information in their local outlets. In other cases, you’ll have to ask at the counter, check online or call a toll-free customer number and have a brochure sent to you.

In general, look for entrees with no more than 10 to 12 grams of fat. Balance out a sandwich and small order of fries with a side salad, topped with light dressing. Refresh yourself with a cup of low-fat/skim milk, fruit juice, yogurt shakes or ice water. You can even bring along your own piece of fruit for dessert.

To help you make healthier fast food choices, here is a bite-by-bite survey of fast food outlets. To reduce the fat and calorie content of your favorite items choose ‘Light Bites’ or order them “Your Way”.

Mc DONALD’S

Light Bites
• Hamburger, great taste with only 10 grams of fat
• 4 piece Chicken McNugget with Sweet n’ Sour, BBQ, or Honey
• Caesar or Grilled Chicken Caesar salad; Grilled Chicken California Cobb salad with Newman’s Own Low-Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Egg McMuffin; Bagel
• Fruit n’ Yogurt Parfait; Vanilla Kiddie Cone

Have It Your Way
• Order a Chicken McGrill without mayo and you’ll save 135 calories and 15 grams of fat.
• Choose a Filet-O-Fish without tartar sauce. You’ll strip away 16 grams from the usual 20.

KFC

Light Bites
• Original Recipe Chicken breast without the skin
• Corn on the Cob
• Green Beans
• Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
• Lil’ Bucket of Strawberry Shortcake

Have It Your Way
• Create your own low-fat dinner (only 10 grams): Original Recipe Chicken breast without the skin, and your choice of two of the following low-fat sides: Corn on the Cob, Green Beans, or Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
• Skip the biscuit and save 10 grams of fat
• Removing the skin drastically reduces the fat content of any piece of chicken.

BURGER KING

Light Bites
• Fire-Grilled Chicken Baguette sandwiches
• Chili
• Beef Whopper Jr. or Chicken Whopper, hold the mayo
• Chicken Tenders with BBQ, honey, or sweet n’ sour dipping sauce
• BK Veggie burger with reduced-fat mayo
• Salads with fat-free ranch Dressing
• Orange Juice and 2% Milk.

Have It Your Way
• Hold the mayo, and save 16 grams of fat and about 150 calories.

TACO BELL

Light Bites
• Pintos and Cheese
• Chicken or Steak Soft Taco
• Bean Burrito
• Tostada
• Chicken or Steak Burrito Supreme
• Beef, Chicken, or Steak Enchirito
• Chicken Gordita Bajita

Have It Your Way
• Look for the “15 Items Under 10 grams of Fat”
• Request items without high fat additions like olives, sour cream, and guacamole. Choose virtually fat free toppings like salsa, taco sauce and jalapenos.

WENDY’S

Light Bites
• Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Jr. Hamburger, and 4 pc. Chicken Nuggets with BBQ or Sweet n’ Sour
• Plain Baked Potato, or Baked Potato with Sour Cream and Chives
• Small Chili with cheese OR Large Chili, hold the cheese
• Side Salad with French or Honey-Mustard
• Junior frosty, 6 oz.

Have It Your Way
• Only 10 grams of fat each: Chicken Breast Fillet or Spicy Chicken Sandwich, hold the mayo

CARL’S JUNIOR

Light Bites
• Broccoli or Plain Baked Potato, no cheese sauce
• Regular Roast Beef Sandwich
• Hamburger
• Charbroiled BBQ Chicken or Chicken Filet Sandwich, hold the mayo
• Charbroiled Chicken or Side Salad with fat-free Italian or French

Have It Your Way
• Save 12 grams of fat by using catsup or mustard instead of mayonnaise on sandwiches.
• Hold the cheese and save 10 grams of fat

PIZZA HUT, DOMINO’S PIZZA

Light Bites
• Domino’s: Cheese Pizza with any vegetable topping except olives.
• Pizza Hut: Salad Bar, Spaghetti and Bread Sticks.

Have It Your Way
• Request that your pizza be made with “half the cheese” rather than “extra cheese.”
• Remember that two pieces of pizza is considered a serving. Enjoy a fresh garden salad with low- or no-fat dressing too.

SKIPPER’S

Light Bites
• Catch Fish Fillet
• Clam Chowder (pint size)
• Baked Cod
• Side Salad with Light Italian Dressing.

Have It Your Way
• Request that your sandwich be made without cheese or tartar sauce and drastically reduce the fat content
• Remove the breading on fried fish, shrimp, or scallops.

Sources: Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Carl’s Junior, Burger King, McDonald’s, and KFC websites

©KitchenTableMedicine.com, LLC ™