New York Department of Health New Ad Campaign: Don't Drink Yourself Fat

New York Warns: Don't Drink Yourself Fat

September 1, 2009

New York City is taking a bold stand against empty calories with its Don't Drink Yourself Fat ad campaign. Recognizing that liquid calories can be a diet saboteur, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is advising residents to avoid soda and other sugary beverages.

The campaign implicitly acknowledges that diet soda isn't necessarily healthier — just lower in calories — by recommending water, seltzer, or lowfat milk. The ads are pretty unappetizing, but I appreciate the message. Click on the gallery below and tell me what you think.

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16 Comments

PinkCrayon 3 years 37 weeks

My Professor was just talking about this ad yesterday! The fat does look pretty gross, just like she said it was. I wonder if the ads will really work though?

Spectra 3 years 37 weeks

I'm with Zulkey...taxing diet soda is stupid because yeah, it's not great for you but it sure as hell isn't going to MAKE you fat like regular soda does. It's way the heck cheaper to make diet soda anyway...they don't have to put any HFCS in it, so the cost of production is a lot lower.

Zulkey 3 years 37 weeks

Diet pop isn't good for you but you can't tell me that it's going to make you fat like regular does. Anyway I refuse to give it up. you take that away from me and what do I have left?

3 years 37 weeks

These scare type ads only send out mixed messages and confuse the public. It pushes the responsibility away for the individual and leads to blaming...a type of "you see, 'they' are doing this to me" mentality. The obesity epidemic in our country is so multi-factorial and so complex that if it were as easy as eliminating soft drinks we would have solved the problem by now. As a registered dietitian I emphasize with my clients the importance of positive messaging and methods to improve diet and health. It's a mater of balance and moderation...I tell people "Ok, have an eight ounce beverage but eliminate one of the bread rolls and butter at the dinner table." Again, focusing on HOW to eat healthy, balance and moderate one's calories is a better approach than focusing the blaming game. It may be a better use of tax-payer funds to focus on more positive messages and engaging corporations to help with community and school based initiatives to overcome the obesity epidemic in our country.

Vanonymous 3 years 37 weeks

Autumns - Yes, sparkling water and soda water are pretty much the same thing. The difference is similar between that of spring water (poland springs) and filtered water (dasani). They taste the same but sparkling water comes from a spring so it is more expensive.

Autumns_Elegy 3 years 37 weeks

Aren't soda water and sparkling water the same thing? Just plain old tap water but carbonated? I see the need for these ads and I wish they had them here, Australia has it's own obesity problem, mostly because of fast food, sugary drinks and pure laziness. (I mean why cook a healthy dinner when you order a pizza?)

le romantique 3 years 37 weeks

I used to be a soda ADDICT... i drink it maybe once or twice a month now.... I always drink tea or mineral/sparkling water now. Seriously, 4-6 cans of mountain dew (or diet mountain dew) a day was where i was at this time last year, but i'd blame the boyfriend breakup... i'm going through that again (same guy, surprisingly) but now i exchanged Mountain Dew with Perrier. lol

sundaygreen 3 years 37 weeks

i'd drink water / sparkling water, but not soda water or... low fat milk. i mean, low fat milk, are you serious? anyway it's a good idea, i never drink sodas / fruit juices / flavoured waters or any of that shit.

3 years 37 weeks

all these ads are doing is supporting/suggesting fear/shame of fat. Who doesn't know obesity is a problem...who doesn't know that sugary sodas & juices aren't good for you? The problem is--no one is looking beyond the shlds and shldn'ts of what we eat--looking into the deeper problems--self esteem, emotional well being that supports self care.....these ads are like telling an alcoholic to simply not drink....that's only 1/4 of the problem....

3 years 37 weeks

Also,people can barely live to afford a snack in NY right now, the taxes are so high. Is this the best thing NY can do?

3 years 37 weeks

sooo, you like your tax dollars going to this? Seriously? How exactly is the ad campaign going to changer your life? It doesn't.

Papaver 3 years 37 weeks

Very good message. It reminds me of those anti crisps ads British Heart Foundation released few years ago. Ugly but true: http://www.enviroblog.org/whatgoesintoyou.jpg

Modus Vivendi 3 years 37 weeks

It's a nice message but did anyone need the city to tell them that? Isn't the city laying off or furloughing workers? I think I'd rather they pay their employees before running ads like this.

natsbmw 3 years 37 weeks

I'm so glad to see NYC taking the lead with this. I teach Sugar Blues workshops throughout the city and I can tell you that most people don't realize how much sugar and calories are in beverages. Natalie (wwww.nataliewellness.com)