Pop N' Pennies

Learn about the health and financial aspects of drinking pop regularly!

[cookingconnections-blog]

Where Did You Learn To Cook?

As a kid, I have fond memories of my family’s big Sunday meal.  My grandparents, on both sides, loved large family meals and I was lucky enough to be the grandchild of Grandmothers who had learned from their parents the value of a home cooked meal.  While I happily devoured the delicious food, I had no interest in spending my Sunday (or any day for that matter) in a hot kitchen.  Looking back now, I would give anything for a one on one cooking lesson from my Great Grandmother whose cinnamon rolls were know by our entire community.  

In modern America, where convenience foods and busy schedules lead families to eating take out or ready made meals, you have wonder - who is teaching our kids to cook?  This isn’t a new concern.  An article in the New York Times from 1992, suggests then that the population was already losing it’s cooking techniques to convenience foods and ready to eat frozen meals, citing a test on cooking at three quarters of the test takers flunked (Hall, 1992).  The continued loss of family cooks for our youth to observe and learn from has led to the assumption that cooking means thawing a frozen meal and heating it up.  Most Americans learn to cook from parents or family members but if the trend of convenience cooking continues, there will be few to learn from.  There is certainly a correlation between the rise of high caloric, low nutrient meals and the rise of preventable chronic disease and obesity rates.  

If America’s adults don’t know how to cook whose responsibility is it to teach them? “ A broad majority of the public supports requiring cooking skills to be taught in schools either through existing health education (64%) or through dedicated home economics courses (67%). Slightly less than half of all Americans (45%) support increasing funding for cooking instruction for participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Broad public support for teaching cooking skills in schools suggests that schools are one promising avenue for policy action (Wolfson, Frattaroli, Bleich, Smith, & Teret, 2017).  However, most home economics programs in public schools have been wiped out, meaning that while most support this policy, little is being done to put it into action.  I think we need to require more culinary and home economic programs in our public schools much in the same way we require physical education but thats not enough.  Programs like Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and SNAP-Ed, which focus primarily on low income populations are great ways to expand people’s confidence and experience in the kitchen by offering cooking demonstrations and nutrition lessons.  Women, Infant and Children (WIC) is another great resource because they require educational opportunities for their recipients to continue getting access to those resources.  While these programs are great, there is a gap in available educational resources for individuals and families who do not qualify for food assistance programs yet can’t afford cooking classes or nutrition lessons.  While it is not a priority in this administration, I’m hopeful that public policy changes will improve the availability of culinary and nutrition programs in the future. 

How adults in the U.S. learn to cook by educational attainment, Home Cooking Survey, 2015 (N = 1112). Note: Models are adjusted for means of learning to cook, gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, household income, and cooking perceptions. Difference from those with a high school education or less significant at * p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001. a Respondents were shown the stem “I learned how to cook from …” and then were shown the above options in randomized order. (Wolfson, Frattaroli, Bleich, Smith, & Teret, 2017)

Hall, T. (1992, January 14). New ‘Lost Generation’: The Cooking Illiterate. Retrieved April 02, 2017, from http://www.nytimes.com/1992/01/15/garden/new-lost-generation-the-cooking-illiterate.html

Wolfson, J. A., Frattaroli, S., Bleich, S. N., Smith, K. C., & Teret, S. P. (2017, January 1). Perspectives on learning to cook and public support for cooking education policies in the United States: A mixed methods study. Retrieved April 02, 2017, from http://www.sciencedirect.com.proxybz.lib.montana.edu/science/article/pii/S0195666316305116

[courtneydowling-blog1]

Is Bigger Always Better?

Americans are known for wanting everything faster, cheaper, and larger, and our meals are no exception.  Fast food chains thrive in America.  Everything can be upgraded to a larger size or portion for a cheaper price.  Nowadays, a size small drink is no longer an option in some restaurants, as some sizes begin at regular and go up from there.

The photo above shows the difference in portion sizes in the United States vs. Europe.  The difference is so drastic, kid-sized utensils are placed next to the European plate.  Although this is more than likely an exaggeration, the message still stands true.  According to research, portion sizes in American have doubled to tripled in size in the last 20 years.  This fact alone is a devastating compenent in increasing obesity rates in children and adults.  Here are some quick statistics to put this into perspective:

In the 1950s, a regular fast-food burger was 2.8 ounces and 202 calories. In 2004, that same burger was 4.3 ounces and 310 calories.

A regular Coke grew from six ounces in 1916 to 21 ounces in 1996.

These days, you can buy a “double gulp” drink that’s 64 ounces and more than 600 calories, and a burrito that’s 1,100 calories or almost three-fourths of the entire daily 1,600-calorie allotment for an average-sized, non-exercising woman. Have them both, and you’re over the allotment.

How can we begin to fix this problem?

Many also notice that when traveling, the plate sizes are much smaller.  In the photo below, each plate contains the same amount of contents as the 8.5 inch plate; however, put that amount on a 12 inch plate and it looks like a lot less food. 

Americans see a plate half filled and have a tendency to fill it.  When the plate is full, Americans also have a tendency to “clear” their plate, or eat everything on it.  This presents an unhealthy situation that can turn into an even worse habit.  Simply reducing plate size forces you to put less on your plate.  When the plate is completely eaten, you are forced to consider whether you actually need more food.  If so, you can go back for seconds, but if not, the obligation to keep eating is not sitting right in front of you on your plate.  

References:

7 Ways American and European Eating Habits Differ. (2015, November 10). Retrieved April 02, 2017, from https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/eating-habits-in-america-vs-europe

Portion Size Differences Between America and France. (2016, May 12). Retrieved April 02, 2017, from http://www.brightonyourhealth.com/portion-size-differences-america-france/

[tkulus]

It would be interesting to compare the meal sizes between many other countries and continents as well to see how much bigger our servings are. I know that I was always taught to have a “clean plate” and try to make sure to eat everything that I take. It would be a cool experiment for a restaurant to start using smaller plates and portions to see how people react. Maybe people would eat less without even noticing it, or maybe they would still be hungry and have to add more food to their plate again.

[msukourtneyk-blog]

Quitting or Cutting Back on Drinking Pop

We all know the meaning and importance of the word, “moderation”. That doesn’t mean we always use it in every aspect of our daily lives, we are human after all. We all have our guilty pleasures and things that we enjoy in excess, whether it is binge watching shows on Netflix, eating 6 pieces of pizza...or drinking multiple cans of pop on a daily basis. These are all things that are not exactly healthy, especially if they are regular habits. Pop is not good for us as we all know, but it is so delicious and refreshing. It is one of those things that need to be had in moderation. Having a pop once and awhile is perfectly fine and normal, but drinking pop on a daily basis is an addictive and unhealthy habit. Habits are hard to break and when your body is used to the carbonation, sugar (or fake sugar), and caffeine it constantly craves more. It is difficult to quit or cut back on things that we love weather it’s TV time, specific foods, or drinks that we enjoy. Here is a guide that could possibly help! 

The first step to breaking a bad habit is to decide you want to stop and commit to quitting or cutting back.

Another great step would be to switch to alternative drinks like Propel, tea, or the best option...WATER. Here are a few alternative ideas: 

“1. Give Soy Milk a Chance. If you'd like to work in a serving of soy a day, give soy milk a try. Lots of brands and flavors are available. If calories are an issue, try one of the lower-calorie options.

2. Don't Skimp on Skim Milk. Skim milk is a great way to boost your intake of protein, calcium, vitamin D, and other important nutrients. One cup of skim milk has only around 85 calories. The Beverage Guidance Panel recommends up to two servings a day of nonfat or 1% milk and fortified soy beverages.

3. Pimp Your Water. To an avid soda drinker, water can seem a little unexciting. One of the best ways around that is to add noncaloric flavors to your water. A sprig of mint or a slice of lemon or lemon will do wonders. If you like subtler flavors, try a slice or two of cucumber or a frozen strawberry.

4. Make Green or Black Tea Your New Drink Habit. Popkin says tea is a healthy alternative to water for people who prefer flavored beverages. Tea is calorie free and contains powerful phytochemicals like the antioxidant in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Great-tasting green and black teas abound in supermarkets and specialty stores. If you're cutting back on caffeine, look for caffeine-free teas.

5. Think Outside the Juice Box. Although 100% fruit or vegetable juice contains important nutrients, the Beverage Guidance Panel recommends having no more than one serving a day because they can also contain plenty of calories (about 100 in 1 cup of fresh orange or carrot juice). One way to cut those calories is by making a homemade juice spritzer: Combine one or two parts seltzer, mineral water, or club soda with one part 100% fruit juice (try fresh orange juice). Or try the new vegetable juice flavors in your supermarket, as well as fruit and vegetable juice blends. While they're not super low in calories, each serving contains a serving of fruit and a serving of vegetable.

6. Discover the Coffee Cure. For java lovers, coffee can be a calorie-free, flavorful alternative to soda. And you can easily find lower-caffeine coffees in coffee shops and supermarkets. But to keep coffee low-calorie, be sure to keep it simple -- skip the syrups, whipped cream, and whole milk.7. Make Good Old H2O Convenient. The Beverage Guidance Panel recommends at least 4 servings a day of water for women and at least 6 servings for men. When you need to quench thirst or hydrate your body, nothing does it better than water. If cold, refreshing water was more convenient, and if we were reminded to drink it during our day, a lot more people would reach this daily goal. So keep water bottles ready to go in your refrigerator, and every time you leave the house, take a bottle with you. If chilled water is sitting in your car or on your desk at work, you'll be more likely to get into the water-drinking habit.”

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/how-can-i-stop-drinking-so-much-soda#3

Slowly stop drinking pop. You don’t have to go from drinking a few a day to zero. Gradual change is the best way to make quitting or cutting back a habit and something that lasts. 

“Wean yourself off slowly That news may be enough to convince you that you should stop drinking soda, but it could still be easier said than done. "People really can become addicted to soda, so you have to be a realist and not an idealist," says nutritionist Stefanie Sacks, author of the forthcoming book What the Fork Are You Eating?. "I don't recommend going cold turkey; you need to wean yourself off, just like you would anything you've become dependent on."

If you typically drink multiple servings of soda a day, Sacks suggests first cutting back to one a day. Give that two weeks, then switch to three sodas a week. "It gives you a chance to adjust gradually, which should lead to real, sustainable change.”

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20902395,00.html#wean-yourself-off-slowly--0

If you notice yourself wanting or craving a pop at particular times or places, try to be prepared. Have a water bottle with you at all times, flavor your water, make fresh iced or hot tea, have some coffee if you need that caffeine, etc. 

“Steer clear of soda triggers You may notice that you only drink soda in certain places or situations: In the afternoon at the office, for example, or when you eat at a certain restaurant. You may not be able to completely avoid these scenarios—you've still got to go to work and should still enjoy eating out—but you may be able to change those bad habits.

If it's the office vending machine that tempts you to buy a soda every day, try to stay away from it in the afternoon—and pack your own healthy beverage or a refillable water bottle so you have an alternative. Or if you tend to crave soda with a certain type of food, try restaurants that offer other options instead.”

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20902395,00.html#steer-clear-of-soda-triggers--0

Sometimes the thought of not having something you enjoy, even if it is unhealthy, makes you stray from quitting or cutting back. It is a mindset and it is important to let yourself have things you enjoy. It truly is all about moderation. Moderation is the key to so many different aspects of life. 

“Save it for special occasions Once you're able to break your regular soda habit and the drink loses its grip on you, it can be treated just like any other junk food: If you really love the taste, there's nothing wrong with an occasional indulgence, says Sacks. "If it's your gotta-have-it food, then by all means splurge on a soda now and then," she says. In fact, knowing that you can have a soda on your cheat day or during a special night out may help you resist them on a more regular basis. "Just do it from a place of education: If you understand that soda is essentially just sugar and artificial flavorings, then you can be more smart about when or if you're going to drink it."

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20902395,00.html#save-it-for-special-occasions--0

The key to health and enjoying life is moderation. Cut back on the things that are unhealthy, but enjoy a pop when you really want one, eat an extra piece of pizza every now and then, watch a couple extra episodes on Netflix. We can be healthy and enjoy life too! Take care of yourself and treat yourself. 

[ehodgenutritionblog-blog]

Food.Doesnt.Cause.Cancer.

In my last blog post I discussed how food can help you combat cancer. In this post I want to go over something that has bothered me since my mother was diagnosed with cancer when I was 7 years old (almost 20 years ago);

Food does not cause cancer.

Now, to clarify, I’m not saying that food can’t exasperate cancer. But eating that cheeseburger from McDonalds isn’t going to spontaneously cause stomach cancer. When my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer I can specifically remember, while sitting in the waiting room with my grandparents during one of her many surgeries to remove the tumor, overhearing some woman talking to my grandmother ask if it was because my mother didn’t eat very well. My mother was young, with two kids under ten, and the way she said it made me very angry. Apparently it made my grandmother angry too because she told me years later she almost smacked the woman.

Firstly, understand that cancer isn’t a man-made disease. You hear all the time about how people are only getting cancer now because of all the processed foods and chemicals and preservatives and blah blah blah. Yet, “It was described thousands of years ago by Egyptian and Greek physicians, and researchers have discovered tell-tale signs of cancer in a 3,000-year-old skeleton. It’s even been discovered in dinosaur bones.” If this doesn’t say ‘cancer has been around forever’ I don’t know what does. The main reason that we believe that cancer is only now an issue is because we’ve developed better ways of detecting cancer. So of course it is going to seem like it is a big thing now compared to the 20th century; medical advances are at a rapid, all time high.

This is a subject that has caused me a lot of grief just from what people have told me I should and shouldn’t be eating. When it wasn’t “you need to eat more kale to cure your genetic disorder” it was “you eat too much sugar and that is why you have a genetic disorder that causes cancer.”

Yes. Exactly.

But I’ve done my research. Even before this class I was concerned that maybe there was something that I was doing wrong with my diet. Now, I’ll be the first to admit I do eat to much sugar, but that isn’t going to cause my cancer. It is just going to make me unhealthy and, if I do get cancer, will make it harder for me to get through the chemo and recovery.

While doing my own research I came upon a great website that goes over all of the myths about food and its link to cancer. Check it out if you want to get a whole lot of great information.

http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2014/03/24/dont-believe-the-hype-10-persistent-cancer-myths-debunked/

[hellomarieke-blog]

Linking Diet and Gut Health

In the previous post, I discussed the importance of a person’s microbiota on their health, but what can we do to keep it healthy? There are many types of foods that improve your gut health, the main idea to keep in mind is to maintain a diet the is fresh and full of greens and whole grains. This leads to an optimal environment for the microbiota that benefit your body while also suppressing the harmful bacteria.

Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are some of the best foods you can eat to support your microbiota. These are high in fiber which support the actinobacteria in our guts, which is a beneficial type of bacteria that can grow in our guts. Garlic and leeks are extremely high in this bacteria. Fiber also benefits the prevotella bacteria that I mentioned in the previous post, that aid in reducing inflammation.

Carbohydrates are also important for your microbiota to survive. They are the primary source for energy which shows just how important a balanced diet is. Certain diets that completely cut out carbohydrates (Ketogenic, paleo, juicing, high protein/low carb, etc.) are very dangerous to the gut and can starve our good bacteria.

One surprising food type that’s beneficial to our gut are fermented foods. Foods that are naturally fermented like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi, all help introduce new beneficial bacteria to our gut, primarily the Lactobacillus bacteria. However, avoid pasteurized foods because the pasteurizations process, although allows foods to last longer, kills the good bacteria.

Most of these are examples of prebiotics which are specifically non-digestible foods that promote beneficial bacteria growth. These include the garlic and leeks as well as asparagus, artichokes, onions, almonds, wheat flour, bananas, etc. However, probiotics are just as important to add into our diets. They aid in recolonizing lost bacteria as well as balancing out our current bacteria systems. These are especially good to add into the diet after taking antibiotics, which kill much of our good gut bacteria. Probiotics can be gotten through supplements and also foods, which include yogurt, fermented foods as listed above, cheese, sour cream, and kefir.

One last tip for keeping a healthy gut is to focus on eating fresh foods. Many processed foods don’t contain the healthy nutrients that our gut bacteria need. Sugars and unhealthy fats also promote inflammatory microbiota and cause dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) in our microbiome.

 Citations:

Foroutan, R. (2015). Microbiome: The Garden Within. Food and Nutrition.

Selhub EM, Logan AC, Bested AC. Fermented foods, microbiota, and mental health: ancient practice meets nutritional psychiatry. Journal of Physiological Anthropology. 2014;33(1):2. doi:10.1186/1880-6805-33-2.

Conlon MA, Bird AR. The Impact of Diet and Lifestyle on Gut Microbiota and Human Health. Nutrients. 2015;7(1):17-44. doi:10.3390/nu7010017.

[msukourtneyk-blog]

Health Impacts of Regularly Drinking Diet and/or Regular Pop

It is not new to anyone that pop, whether it is diet or regular, is not good for your health. There are many negative effects of drinking pop in general and it is important to know that diet pop, is not any better for your health. 

HEALTH DANGERS OF DIET POP:

Not only is it addictive but it can cause increased risk of diabetes, heart problems, stroke, kindly problems, weight gain, dehydration, and it even alters moods. 

People think that they are being healthier and making a better choice by drinking diet pop rather than regular pop. The health implications are very similar, if not worse, than regular pop. The artificial sweetener in diet pop actually has a reverse effect, making you more hungry and can actually lead to weight gain. “Diet” pop is not so...diet.

“Artificial sweeteners are associated with a drop in the appetite-regulating hormone leptin. Leptin is the hormone that inhibits hunger so diet drinks like diet coke actually make you hungry and less satisfied with normal amounts of food, and finally when you eat or drink a lot of chemicals that your body simply cannot break down, your body makes more and more internal fat to wrap the chemicals in keeping those harmful chemicals away from your vital organs. As diet coke has no calories and no recognised ingredients we know it is a cocktail of chemicals that encourage your body to gain and store weight especially on your legs and bottom away from your organs. diet drinks are not good for your body your health or even as it turns out for dieting.”

“What Happens 1Hr After Drinking Diet Coke, Coke Zero & Any Other Similar Diet Soda. The phosphoric acid attacks the enamel in your teeth, while the artificial sweeteners like aspartame hit your system. Aspartame may trigger taste receptors and trick your body into thinking it has just processed sugar.”

http://therenegadepharmacist.com/diet-coke-exposed-happens-one-hour-drinking-diet-coke-coke-zero-similar-diet-soda/

HEALTH DANGERS OF REGULAR POP: 

People believe that regular pop is sooo much worse for you than diet pop, which is actually not true. The only difference is there are more calories in regular pop and it leads to tooth decay. Other than that...it really is not much worse for you. Not only is it addictive but it can cause increased risk of diabetes, heart problems, stroke, kindly problems, obesity, dehydration, and it even alters moods. 

“’We’re finding some research that seems to indicate that calories from sugar are more easily turned into fat in your body than calories from fat in food are turned into fat in your body,’ Ochner said.  Translation: Eating and drinking sugar makes you gain more weight than eating fat.Another problem with sugary beverages is the method of consumption – drinking. Ochner noted that when individuals drink a lot of calories, their bodies don’t register fullness as quickly as when they eat the calories.  Therefore, they tend to drink more and more soda without getting a signal from their bodies to stop.Furthermore, as people consume lots of sugar in one sitting, they experience what is commonly referred to as a “sugar rush.”  To match this spike in sugar, the body produces a spike in insulin, which is followed by a glucose crash.  How do people compensate for this crash? Typically by consuming more sugar, Ochner said.“These people wind up spiking and crashing, and the system that keeps trying to regulate this – it’s up and down,” Ochner said, referring to what is known as the glycemic index. “You get dysregulation, and you wind up getting insulin resistance.  The body’s not able to properly metabolize the sugar, which ultimately leads to diabetes.”’Due to the overwhelmingly adverse health effects associated with drinking soda, Ochner recommends that people should drop soda completely from their diets. But if you still need that 140-calorie fix, he said almost anything else is better than soda.’”

http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/how-bad-soda-really

DIET POP VS. REGULAR POP:

Both diet and regular pop are equally bad for you and very addictive. The only difference between diet and regular pop is the calories and regular pop leads to tooth decay. There are so many healthy alternatives to pop such as propel, vitamin water zero, Powerade zero, coffee, tea, and of course....WATER, which is obviously the best choice. 

Here are a couple great articles for more information: 

https://wellnessmama.com/379/reasons-to-avoid-soda/

https://www.scripted.com/writing-samples/diet-soda-vs-regular-soda-which-is-really-the-better-option

[cookingconnections-blog]

The Cost of Convenience

Americans LOVE convenience, in whatever form it has to offer us.  Why? Why do we rush through everything for the sake of “convenience”? What is it we are gaining?  When asked most people would say that they seek out convenience for time saving purposes.  This reveals itself in so many different forms of American culture.  We, as a society, are constantly demanding faster, easier routes instead of stepping back, taking a deep breath and collecting our thoughts.  While convenience can have its Pros, no doubt, there are also Cons that have consequences we don’t always realize. This craze has a price tag that most people are willing to face, from the effects on the environment to the cost of healthcare.

How is it that living a life of convenience is going to lead you to higher healthcare costs you ask?  Opting for a meal from a fast food restaurant for lunch can provide you with all (and often more) than the recommended calorie count and fat for the entire DAY! In one meal! Brown bagging it with a home made sandwich on whole wheat would be around a quarter of that fast food meal and significantly cheaper to make.  Those added calories and fats add up at rate that can incredibly difficult to work off and the added poundage can eventually lead to chronic diseases such as Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and more.  Not to mention the effects on the brain of the added sugars and preservatives that made fast foods and other quick meals so dangerous for us.  So on the day that you skip packing your own lunch and decide to stop by the drive through, remember your $10 bill is going to end up being significantly pricier down the road.   That bill doesn’t just cost more in Doctors visits but there is an environmental price as well.  Every time we buy an individually packed product whether it be gas station nachos in their little compartmentalized plastic container or an individually plastic wrapped frozen burrito, we have to consider the environmental impact that product has.  The plastic nacho container and the wrap the burrito came in are not recyclable and go immediately to the trash once after the one time use.  It’s a complete waste of energy and resources.  This excessive obsession with plastic and packaging could be avoided by making and prepping meals at home with reusable products.  I made a dozen burritos at a time and freeze them in reusable silicone bags.  All I have to do is thaw them the night before and I can just heat them up in the morning without a single piece of packaging to discard.   By just taking the time to make my own, I have saved hundreds of pounds of waste from polluting out planet.  For some it can feel daunting to make everything yourself and for those folks, I would just recommend starting small, making little changes until you’re suddenly living a life without waste.

If the cost of healthcare or the environment are not enough motivation for you, consider the sense of accomplishment and pride that comes from making your own.  Suddenly for me, conventional yogurt has nothing on my homemade version.  And I can made a pot of dry beans better than any canned around.  Make it a game to see how many things you can make yourself as opposed to buying the more convenient version.  There’s a sense of therapy with making your own too. Not just that it tastes better but the going through the motion of creating something delicious is well worth the time invested.  

In the spirit of the slow food movement; slow down, take your time and make your own.  Over time you’ll see not only does it benefit the world around you but you’ll feel better too!

[msukourtneyk-blog]

#NUTR351

[msukourtneyk-blog]

Yearly Costs of Drinking Pop Regularly

Who doesn’t love a nice, cold, bubbly pop?! Not only is it delicious and refreshing, but it is also an addictive and expensive habit if you drink pop regularly. I am going to base this blog post on people who drink pop “regularly”, which in this case is one twelve ounce can of pop daily. It is easy to double, triple, or quadruple the totals (which will be discussed) for people who drink more than one can of pop a day. Obviously buying bottled pop or pop at a restaurant costs much more than a can of pop. The average cost of a pop at a restaurant is $2. If a person eats out once a week and orders pop, they are spending over $100 a year just on soda at restaurants. If a family or household of four eats out once a week and they all order pop, they are spending well over $400 a year on pop when they eat out. One 24 pack of pop is an average of $7. If a person is drinking one can of pop a day, they are spending over $100 a year on cans of pop. Combine drinking a can of pop a day and having pop once a week at a restaurant, and a person could save over $200 a year on cutting out pop! If it is a couple who shares the same pop drinking habit, that is $400 a month. If it is a family of four that shares the same pop drinking habit, that is $800 a month. The average American actually drinks 11 cans of pop a week! That is $572 a year for one person, $1,144 for a couple, and $2,288 a year for a family or household of four (assuming each person drinking 11 cans of pop a week). This seems like a lot of pop right? Think of it this way, it is one and a half cans of pop a day. There are so many people who drink that much pop and more each day! Drinking one or two cans of pop a day may seem reasonable, but it is expensive! Looking at the overall picture and yearly costs of being a regular pop drinker, it may change your perspective! Think of the weekend getaways, the clothes and shoes, the hunting gear...(or whatever you are into)...that you could spend that money on instead!