New Orleans Approves Soft Drinks Ban for Kids in Restaurants

Soon, children dining with their parents at restaurants in New Orleans may be served with water, milk, or juice but not Coke or Pepsi, following the signing of the soft drinks ban ordinance.

The new rule, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2023, is an effort to help curb childhood obesity, a growing endemic in the U.S.

New Orleans city council member Cyndi Nguyen, who introduced the ordinance, said this would nudge families to choose healthier options for their kids.

The ordinance will be implemented with the help of the city health department, which will be tasked to review restaurant menus and respond to reports of violation, per the New Orleans Public Radio. Restaurants could be penalized $200 or more for failing to follow the law.

The Worst Drink for Kids, Study Says

New Orleans joins many other places in the U.S. with some form of soft drinks ban for school-aged kids. Nguyen advocated for this ban because about 14 percent of children between the ages of two to four in New Orleans are categorized as "obese," and the official wants to lower this number.

In mid-December 2021, Mayor Lori Lightfoot in Chicago agreed to ban the marketing of soft drinks for kids. Under the new legislation, restaurants should only pair unsweetened beverages or water in their kids' menu offerings.

Chicago city officials believe that this measure can decrease sugar consumption and reduce cases of obesity in children. However, the new legislation may honor the parents' preference when they order meals at restaurants to protect consumer choices.

But obesity is not the only problem with children having much access to sugary soft drinks. A study in the Nutrients journal showed that soft drinks could be the worst drink for kids as it impacts their brain function.

The analysis from the experts ties consumption of soft drinks, regularly and in large quantities, to the kids' dwindling executive function. This involves their cognitive abilities and the control of emotions and behavior.

The findings support earlier research from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) that found that kids who drink more sugary drinks have poorer memory, smaller brain volume, and a smaller hippocampus, a part of the brain that helps with learning.

The Only Drink of Choice for Kids

Dr. Michelle Babb, author of "Anti-Inflammatory Eating for a Happy, Healthy Brain and Mastering Mindful Eating," said "water should be the drink of choice" at home or when dining out. If the kids prefer to drink something more flavorful, then water could be infused with cucumbers, berries, and citrus fruits to taste more appealing.

Babb also said that parents should dilute fruit juices or Gatorade in 70 percent water to lessen the sugar content. While this drink is healthier than soft drinks, too much serving of fruit juices may also be packed with calories.

Meanwhile, restaurant owners in New Orleans are pushing back on the ban's consequences. They said they agree with upholding children's health but not at the cost of their businesses, which continue to be badly affected by the pandemic.