Just a few clarifications on soft drinks and osteoporosis.

Not all soft drinks contain phosphorus.  Soft drinks which usually contain
high levels of phosphoric acid are colas,  "Dr. Pepper", some root beers,
and many powdered drink mixes (kool-aid, hawaiian punch, lemonade).
Other light-colored soft drinks (like 7-up and orange soda) usually use
citric acid instead of phosphoric acid.  You can tell what is in your
favorite soft drink by reading the ingredients on the label.

The issue of osteoporosis is not as simple as it may seem.  The issue is
not just phosphorus intake, but the *ratio* of calcium to phosphorus in the
diet.  Too much phosphorus and not enough calcium (*in combination*) is
what will contribute to osteoporosis.  So, it is equally important to ensure
adequate calcium intake.  Soft drinks are just one source of dietary
phosphorus, it occurs naturally in many foods.  Our intake of phosphorus
in the US is increasing because we are eating more processed foods.

In assessing diet, it is important to look at the entire diet.  I think the most
important aspect of evaluating soft drink intake is looking at what people
are *not* drinking.  What are these empty calorie beverages replacing?
Are  they drinking these beverages regularly or occasionally?  Are there
other drinks with some nutritional value that they would be willing to drink
instead of soft drinks?

Feel free to e-mail me if you'd like the references for this info.

Debi VanderMey Barr, MS, RD, LD
Breastfeeding Promotion Coordinator (and Public Health Nutritionist)
Oregon WIC Program, Portland, Oregon
(who tries to drink Orange Juice mixed with carbonated water for her
"soft drink", but craves Dr. Pepper every once in a while.....)