TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News
Now) – Beginning February 1, vending machines at all ProMedica hospitals will
no longer offer sugar-sweetened drinks.
The ban will mean no more
regular Coke, Mountain Dew, energy drinks, or cappuccino, in an attempt to take
a more pro-active approach to the fight against obesity, diabetes and heart
disease.
"When you consume soda, it's a lot
different than when you have, say, a pop-tart," explained ProMedica Wellness
Dietitian Nathan Drendel. "You get some benefit from the pop-tart. A soda or
some other sugar-sweetened beverages are typically empty calories."
Hospital-goers will still be able to
bring their own sugary drinks onto the property. Diet soda and black coffee
will also be available, as well as candy bars and other snacks. Drendel said
they may have some beneficial ingredients, and the hospital is only focusing on
beverages right now.
"We're a healthcare industry, a
healthcare system, and we wanted to make sure that we're taking a proactive
approach to not only show that we take care of patients, but we take care of
the community," Drendel said. "These items, while they may taste good, they do
a very negative impact on our body."
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The vending machine selection will soon be decreasing at ProMedica.
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