Yup you heard right! This week, I am going to visit Coca-Cola Headquarters in Atlanta. I know it sounds really bizarre because I am the first to scream, "Stay away from high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners like your life depends on it!"
I say that because I do believe it to be true...your healthiness is best served by consuming food and drink as often as possible in its most natural form. I'm no purist. I'm not about perfection...because that is entirely unrealistic. If you can't totally eliminate it, then moderation it is when it comes to the not-optimal-foods.
My personal eating rule of thumb is 80/20...80% natural to organic, and 20% whatever...anything goes. No way I'm staying away from my mom's lumpia!
Once upon a time, I used to drink 2-3 cans of Diet Coke a day, and it took nearly a year for me to wean from the stuff as I was addicted. Today, I take one sip and I get an instant headache. Coca-Cola is one of the world's biggest sellers of drinks containing high fructose corn syrup and aritificial sweeteners, so why would I even entertain going there?
Let me tell you....curiousity.
Remember a couple weeks ago, I wrote this post, "Is Coca-Cola Determined To Contribute To Our Unwellness?" Coke's CMO said at a conference that they are shooting to double their sales in the next 10 years from $31 billion to $62 billion.
Upon reading that news, my body automatically cringed much like the time I heard Heidi Montag sing. Instead of teaching the world to sing, perhaps Coke should teach Heidi how to sing. Heck, Coke can teach me how to sing too because I suck even at drunk karaoke.
See now, I have totally digressed. I can't help myself...well okay, I can...mom.
Through my healthiness filter, I heard, "Expect to see lots more high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners coming your way." See I'm not against soda as a concept. I drink soda myself made with cane sugar or organic versions.
I'm against high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners or basically anything that is invented by a lab coat particularly as I mentioned in my previous post where there is mounting evidence pointing to how those ingredients contribute to unwellness.
There are parts of the world where Coke is made with simple cane sugar. That's fine! Why not offer cane sugar in more Coca-Cola products in all parts of the world...namely the U.S.? Why not create a version of Coke called, "Coke Natural" made with natural ingredients besides ridiculous concoctions like remember Diet Coke Plus with added vitamins and minerals.
Some of Coca-Cola's "health & fitness" drinks contain high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners like Powerade which also comes in colors unknown in nature, and Fuze the light and fruity drinks. To their credit, there are a few Fuze drinks that are void of the HFCS and AS.
On a bright note, they left Odwalla alone after buying them, and all Honest Teas are organic. Yay! They even have Honest Kombucha.
And yeah, don't get me wrong, drinking too much sugar even if it is all natural or organic is not good for you either. Again, it's all about moderation. At least though, we're starting from a place closer to what Mother Nature made.
Obesity is one of the top 10 chronic diseases in the US, and Coca-Cola is contributing to that issue as they are one of the largest sellers of sugared drinks in the world. I'm not saying we shouldn't point the finger at over-doing-it consumers either. No one is being forced to drink the stuff. It goes both ways and often I think that solving this problem is like trying to figure out which will go first chicken or egg.
the invitation to the Coke side of life
Anyway, Coca-Cola saw my post, and I received an invitation to visit them at a small intimate blogger conference at their place. This isn't the exact conversation, but here's the essence of it:
Coca-Cola: We saw your post about us and we'd like to invite you to come visit us at our HQ in Atlanta.
Me: Well thank you, I appreciate the kindness and invitation to the mother ship but uh, I'm not a Coke fan. I will be hard hitting and I often refer to you as Drinkzilla. Perhaps, you should invite someone else.
Coca-Cola: Yes, we also heard that you refer to us as Cokeantua. That's okay. Bring it!
Me: Really?! Well okay, why not, I'm game. I shall venture into the belly of the beast :-D
Although I am not a fan of Coca-Cola, I must give them some props for embracing a naysayer. In fact, they are doing it right. Many brands run away from their naysayers when they should be talking to them in order to learn. I may go to Atlanta and my opinion may absolutely not change at all after my visit, but again, I will still give them props for stepping up to the challenge.
I have a whole list of questions I will be tossing at the Coca-Cola folks. Since I am there, what questions do you have for them? I will ask on behalf of my audience.
Note: Coca-Cola is paying for everything related to my travel to and from Atlanta.
