Tag Archives: new york city

7-Eleven Double Big Gulps Exempt from NYC Soda Ban

Earlier today New York City’s Board of Health ruled to pass Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposed ban on over-sized sugary drinks, otherwise known as the Soda Ban. It’s a landmark ruling that is the first of its kind anywhere in the nation. At the most basic, the ruling puts in to effect a law six months from now that will ban the sale of sweetened beverages, like soda, sweetened iced tea, and energy drinks, larger than 16 ounces.


This means you can no longer order a large sweet tea at McDonald’s or a large soda at Subway. In fact, you can’t order anything above a small at any restaurant, street cart, sports stadium, or movie theater in New York City if it’s filled with sugary beverages. The ruling applies to any business that receives inspections from NYC’s health department. At some restaurants, their smallest cup sizes starts well past 16 ounces.

There are always loop holes though, and that is where places like 7-Eleven, Starbucks, and Dunkin’ Donuts might be able to help Americans keep getting fatter with every sip they take.

“The restrictions would not affect fruit juices, dairy-based drinks like milkshakes, or alcoholic beverages; no-calorie diet sodas would not be affected,” reported the NYTimes.com following the ruling. Large Frostys at Wendy’s are safe; Cokes in that same establishment are not. (more…)

Posted on September 13, 2023 by Natalie K

New York City Soda Ban Passes; Soda Industry Plans to Fight [UPDATED]

UPDATE: On Friday, October 12, the beverage industry and 11 other organizations filed a lawsuit against New York City challenging the recent soda ban, according to an article in The Washington Post. The lawsuit deals less with the ban itself and more with whether or not the New York City Board of Health had the right to pass the regulation in the first place.

A portion of the lawsuit reads: “The Board of Health’s decision nonetheless to ban certain sizes of sweetened beverages in certain outlets, imposed by executive fiat, usurps the role of the City Council, violating core principles of democratic government, and ignoring the rights of the people of New York City to make their own choices.”

The NYC Board of Health reportedly contends that it does, in fact, have the authority to create such a regulation that ‘promotes healthier living,’ and is poised to fight the lawsuit much like it battled chain restaurants in court over the issue of calorie labeling on menus. (10/15/12)

It seems the nation has been on high alert as the New York City soda ban vote inched nearer. As of Thursday morning, New Yorkers and their mayor Michael Bloomberg can take a deep sigh of relief as the wait is now over. The proposed amendment to ban the sale of sugary beverages exceeding 16 ounces has been approved by the city’s Board of Health.

The measure will take effect in six months unless overturned by a judge, which the soda industry has vowed to pursue. Those living in New York can expect to see their favorite sugary beverages available only in a 16 ounce size or smaller at businesses regulated by the city.

Bloomberg takes the health of his citizens seriously and has passed similar measures before, one being the initiative to place calorie counts on restaurant menus and another that limited the amount of trans fats food sold in the city could contain. Despite any resistance to Bloomberg’s past or current legislation positive changes have been made, so it’s no surprise that his most recent initiative was approved.

People are already turning to Twitter in response to the news.

 

 

The trans fats ban of 2006 limited the amount per serving to less than 0.5 grams. Studies have since shown that the trans fat content of meals was reduced from 2.91 grams in 2024 to 0.51 grams in 2024. While a 2.4 gram reduction doesn’t sound like much of difference, even small progress is progress in the eyes of Bloomberg and his team.

Though the initiative to place calorie counts on menus wasn’t as successful- a reported 15 percent of diners now choose healthier options and consume 100 fewer calories on average per meal – the mayor’s commitment to building a healthier city seems to be unwavering. (more…)

Posted on September 13, 2023 by Dana

Mayor Bloomberg Goes After Soda in the Obesity Battle: Is He Fighting the Right Fight?

The city that never sleeps might finally get some rest because of the reduction in caffeine from their soda and coffee. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is superman in disguise trying to save the city’s population from obesity. On May 30, 2024, Bloomberg proposed the banning of beverages more than 16 ounces in size at eating establishments. Not only would restaurants in New York be affected, but movie theaters, street food carts, and sports arenas, too. Sugary sodas greater than 16 ounces would be gone and so would sweetened tea, coffees, fruit juices, milk shakes, and alcoholic beverages. The public outcry will be the toughest hurdle for the mayor to jump. If the proposal is approved by the Board of Health then all sugary beverages with more than 16 ounces will be banned from New York City.

Mayor Bloomberg has a history of obesity-fighting proposals. His efforts to make the city healthier have always been met with debate and controversy, and often succeed. Mary Hartley, RD, a NYC resident and our dietitian, noted the ban on artificial trans fats in the city. She also praised the Mayor’s actions to ban smoking, calling it “most remarkable.” (more…)

Posted on May 31, 2023 by Samantha

USDA Rejects Bloomberg’s Food Stamp Soda Ban

pile of tabs from soda or beer cansLast October, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg requested that the U.S. Department of Agriculture prevent New York residents from using food stamps to purchase soda and other sugary drinks. On Friday, the USDA rejected the proposal, partly citing the difficulty of sorting out which beverages would and wouldn’t be allowed under the policy.

Dr. Thomas A. Farley, New York City’s health commissioner, said he was “very upset” by the proposal’s rejection, adding that it “really calls into question how serious the USDA is about addressing the nation’s most serious nutritional problem,” reports the New York Times.

The choice was obviously a victory for the soda industry, which lobbied against the proposal. Some advocates for the poor were also against the bill, arguing that forcing food-stamp users to shop differently is a stigmatizing experience. “The whole attempt was misguided and unworkable,” Mr. Berg said. “This proposal was based on the false assumption that poor people were somehow ignorant or culturally deficient.”

(more…)

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Health Buzz

NYC Mayor Signs Local Produce Bill

Michael Bloomberg at Annoucement of Local Food BillYesterday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed a bill that will encourage city agencies to purchase more locally grown food, and another to reduce wasteful packaging. According to WNYC, the bill will includes foods that are grown, produced and processed in New York.

“These provisions will help the city and the public better track where agencies’ food comes from and where tax dollars are spent,” Bloomberg said. “It will also result in agencies buying much more food from farms and processing facilities in the Empire State.”

The law further requires that an annual report to be published on the food the city buys. Earlier this summer, City Council became the first city government to participate in a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program. “It may cost a tiny bit more, but it saves money in the end because it can stay longer in the schools. It can stay longer in the person’s home, and it’s fresher,” Manhattan City Councilwoman Gale Brewer told NY1.

(more…)

Posted on August 18, 2023 by Margaret

Solstice Yoga in Times Square with Patrick Lynch

What better day is there to do a sun salutation than on the longest day of the year? That’s what thousands of yoga enthusiasts gathered in Times Square to do on Tuesday, June 22, 2024 for the first day of summer, including our very own Maggie Badore.

After a hot and sweaty session, she broke free from the crowd and caught up with Patrick Lynch of Bikram Yoga NYC, who lead the session, to hear his thoughts on leading yoga at one of the most chaotic intersections in the world.

Click now to watch our Solstice in Times Square interview.

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Health Buzz

Free Wellness Festival Hosted by NewUnderstanding in Brooklyn this Saturday

New Understanding Free Wellness Fair ImagesFor any fellow New Yorkers reading our blog, I have an exciting announcement: there’s a free health and wellness festival this Saturday, May 14 in Gowanus/Park Slope area of Brooklyn. The event is hosted by NewUnderstanding, formerly known as Alive&Well in Brooklyn, and will feature tons of free and healthy fun for the whole family.

For kids, there will be yoga, drumming circles, martial arts and manicures. For adults there will be free sample treatments of ear acupuncture, Alexander Technique, Structural Integration, Postural Analysis and Nutrition Counseling. There will also be giveaways and goodie bags with healthy treats and discounts. A full schedule of classes, including Pilates, Forrest yoga and Qi Gong, and seminars covering topics such as Simple Steps to Better Sleep, Living Gluten Free and Relief from Seasonal Allergies with Acupuncture and Herbs. There will also be lots of yummy food from The V Spot, a local vegan restaurant.

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Posted on May 12, 2023 by Margaret

Self’s Workout in the Park NYC a Sunny Success

Self Workout In the Park LogoThis past Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending my first Workout in the Park, hosted by Self magazine in Central Park. The day is a great opportunity for people of any fitness level to try out new workouts, get some fitness swag, and spend a healthy Saturday in the sun.

There were three workout areas: the main stage, the quiet zone for mat work, and the toning zone. I started my workout in the quite zone, for a Pilates Fusion workout on the mats. Then I headed over to the main stage for Retro-Robics, featuring 90’s hip-hop moves, followed by a LaBLAST class inspired by dances featured on Dancing with the Stars. Some of the other workouts included Cardio Tai Box, Yoga Body Sculpt, a Masala Bhangra dance class featuring Bollywood dance moves and a sing-along Glee Club workout. All of the workouts were provided by Crunch, so if you want to try one of these routines, check the class schedule at your closest Crunch location.

Although I’m a regular runner and occasional yoga practitioner, I was definitely sore in the best way on Sunday. The event was a great reminder of the importance of trying new physical activities and mixing up your workout routine: there may be muscles you’re not using if you follow the same workout every day. The crowd was enthusiastic and the turnout for the event was pretty impressive. Although there were several hundred attendees, everyone seemed to be in a very good mood.

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Posted on May 9, 2023 by Margaret

NYC’s Health Department Employees to Practice What They Preach

New York City Health Department LogoNew guidelines from the New York City Health Department are now mandating that employees of the government agency eat in a more healthy manner. The new dietary rules were published in a pamphlet called “Life in the Cubicle Village” that was distributed in anticipation of an office move from Manhattan to Queens.

The guidelines lay out a number of foods that are not to be served at agency lunches or functions. The prohibited items include deep fried foods, cookies, cakes, or beverages containing more than 25 calories per ounce. It is also suggested that muffins and bagels served at meetings be cut in halves or quarters.

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Posted on April 7, 2024 by Health Buzz

Salt Attacked by NYC Mayor

Anti-SaltIn the latest push to get New Yorkers to eat better, city Mayor Michael Bloomberg is taking on salt. The mayor previously launched several visceral attacks on sodas and other sugary beverages. Now, he’s urging city residents to cut down on their intake of sodium. The new campaign targets frozen dinners and canned soups, and features images of these foods surrounded by heaps of salt. The images are accompanied by messages like “Excessive  can lead to heart attack and stroke.”

Excess salt in one’s diet can potentially lead to a number of serious health conditions, like high blood pressure and other cardiovascular conditions. WPIX reports that 23,000 deaths are caused by cardiovascular-related conditions in New York City alone.

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Posted on November 11, 2023 by Health Buzz

Celebrities Do Good at the NYC Marathon

Al Roker

Al Roker ran a half marathon in Chicago

The ING New York City Marathon is this Sunday, and runners across the city are gearing-up for the 26.2 mile run. This year there were 125,000 applicants to the race, which is offering a prize of $600,000. There are expected to be about two million spectators and a massive amount of media coverage.

Many celebrities are seizing upon the event to promote healthy lifestyles and other worth-while causes. There are over 190 charities involved in ING’s New York City Marathon charity program, “A Million Dollars a Mile,” which aims to earn (you guessed it) $26.2 million.

Today Show star Al Rocker is one of the notable participants, and will be running his first full-marathon. “Almost everybody’s bucket list includes running the ING New York City Marathon,” said Roker. “Just the thought of being able to start this race gives me goose bumps. As does the fear that the weather might turn ugly. On the other hand, if it does that might help improve my time as I try to outrun an angry mob of soggy and cold runners!”

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Posted on November 5, 2023 by Health Buzz