Goodbye giant sodas? 4 ways to get around drink size restriction - KOAM TV 7

By Elisa D. Keller


(WORLDNOW) -- While it may seem hypocritical in a city with pizza slices the size of a laptop computer, New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg recently announced his intent to ban the sale of fountain drinks larger than 16 ounces, claiming the proliferation of too-large beverages is one of the problems adding extra notches to the increasingly strained belt holding up America's super-sized fat pants.

Though some are doubtful such measures will ever be carried out, or that this may become a growing trend across the nation, it's always prudent to prepare for the worst. For all we know, your neighborhood restaurants and movie theaters are canceling orders for jumbo soda cups this very minute!

According to Reuters, Bloomberg's ban would not apply to convenience, grocery or drug stores and would exclude diet and dairy-based coffee drinks, but here are some ideas on how to deal with possible drink restrictions if similar rules start surfacing in your neck of the woods.

1. Go H₂O. 

That's right, drink water. Not only is non-bottled water free, but it's refreshing and good for you. Heck, we need to drink water to live! Plus, depending on how any potential beverage laws are interpreted, non-sugary drinks such as water, unsweetened iced tea and/or milk may be exempt all together from size restrictions.  As an added bonus, you'll never feel guilty for asking for a fourth refill of your water glass.

2. Hit up BYOB restaurants. 

If they let you bring your own wine or beer, they could be fine with you bringing your own giant container of forbidden soda!

3. Why not BYOC?

Use this as an excuse to go ahead and purchase one of those reusable iced beverage cups, available everywhere from Starbucks to Walmart. You can get one in the size you prefer and bring it with you wherever you go.  Some places will even give you a discount for bringing your own container! (Not to mention the obvious benefits to the environment.) Don't be afraid to ask a business if they'll let you use your own cup – the worst they can do is say no.

4. Go bulk. 

If you understandably feel that rules of this nature are limiting your American right to freedom – work around the system. Buy what you like to drink in bulk and carry some with you in a cooler or your car.  Not only will you be saving cash by not paying a la carte prices, but every time you take a sip you can consider it an act of civil disobedience!



Elisa D. Keller is the Food Editor at Worldnow.