Earlier last year we mentioned the trial of a super-size Starbucks drink - the Trenta. The Trenta is the next size up from Venti and measures up at 31 fluid ounces, or 916 mls. Starbucks have now announced the US-wide roll-out of the drink. Why? According to Starbucks:
We listened to you. You told us on My Starbucks Idea and through your purchases that you love refreshing iced coffee and tea beverages but want them in a larger size.
Venti is not large enough. Apparently we want it even bigger.
Before shaking my fist in holy nutritional outrage, let's get the facts straight here. The only drinks offered in this size is the Iced Tea and Iced Coffee blend. The Trenta Iced Coffee is about 220 Calories with 42 grams of sugar. To get perspective, a 12 ounce can of Coca Cola has 39 grams of sugar.
So the Trenta is not necessarily a Calorie-laden monstrosity, and neither is Starbucks the harbinger of death. The problem here is the consumer, and the problem with the consumer is one thing:
Gluttony.
Over the last decade, we've all been made aware of rising obesity rates, healthcare costs. We've become environmentally aware, and conscious of sustainability, and even entertained the notion of moderation. We have just one planet and we need to share that planet with others. Most of us aware that the US consumes a significant portion of the world's resources, and yet, somehow, we are addicted to more.
We can watch The Biggest Loser. We can buy our diet books. We can argue over which nutritional regime is best. We can discuss workouts and whether to Zumba or Pilates.
Here's a better idea:
Let's start facing up to how greed and entitlement underpins so many facets of our culture and that our obsession with overconsumption might actually be hurting us.
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