Hold the soda

The Globe reports on a city initiative that aims to get teenagers eating less junk food. The city's health commission is working with convenience stores located near middle schools, asking the businesses to offer healthier snacks and to post signs promoting them.

While the goals are laudable, it's hard to imagine that such efforts could possibly make much of an impact next to the boatloads of cash spent marketing sugar-laced beverages, salt-filled snacks and other junk food. Coca-Cola alone spends approximately $2 billion a year for advertising and promotion of their products.

In probably the most beneficial move I've made, I gave up soda nearly three years ago. I don't miss it, though I have replaced the caffeine in a daily Coke with a daily double espresso.