How Sweet It Is!

For my English class last semester I had to write a Pursuasive Researched Essay. I narrowed my subjects down to three choices: Poverty in America (After living in one of the poorest areas of the nation, this something for which I am passsion about), Overcoming fears (I will write a post about this eventually), and Sugar. I chose to follow my sweet tooth. Here is a sample of my essay.

How Sweet It Is

As a child I remember spending an afternoon at my Grandma’s house. In a moment of frustration I heard her say, “Sugar!” First of all, I had never heard my deeply religious grandma swear. Second of all, I wondered, is sugar really a swear word? Sugar was not a bad word in my house! We had dessert after every meal and breakfast was usually left over dessert from the day before. I don’t know if I was born with a sweet tooth or if it developed over years of habit but I fed that sweet tooth most of my life.

Fast forward many years to this past January; my sister convinced me to join her in a health challenge. There were a number of things we had to do on a daily basis such as: eat healthy portioned meals and snacks, exercise, take a multi-vitamin, and drink plenty of water. I had already made changes to my lifestyle and felt like I maintained a healthy diet. This was going to be easy. At the very bottom of the list appeared this item: NO SUGAR. I realized this health challenge wouldn’t be easy after all. I tried to back out of the challenge because I didn’t want to give up my sweet indulgences. My sister would not let me change my mind. I finally gave in.

The first week was horrible! I had terrible headaches, I was angry. I had no energy. It was during that time that I realized I had a problem. I had to admit I was a sugar addict.....
 
Blah, blah, blah...I won't bore you with all the technical reasearch. Here are a few highlights. Sugar affects the same neurotransmitters as drug and alchol addiciton. Lots of sugar affects the immune system, affects cholesterol levels, leads to cariovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. High fructose corn syrup is the root of all evil and makes lab rats fatter than any other change in diet. Honey is a great natural sweetener chuck full of antioxidants and other healthy things. Honey reduces anxiety and increases spatial memeory.
 
In spite of the compelling evidence, it wasn’t the research that truly convinced me to change. I noticed a change in my body and mind as I gave up sugar. That first month I lost 15 pounds. I had more energy than ever before. I felt fit and healthy. I no longer craved sugar and my life was no longer dictated by my sweet tooth. Life was sweet!

Weeks later the challenge ended, and my resolve to avoid sugar became weaker. I know how difficult it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle when we are surrounded by sugary rewards and goodies in our over sweetened society. Some may say that sugar is a part of life and that a self-imposed low sugar diet is extreme. They believe it is not possible; I found it is possible and even beneficial. The problem of eating too much sugar does not come from upbringing or society, the problem comes from within and choices made regarding what to eat. In order for anyone to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a person should make a firm commitment to decrease their sugar intake and find alternative, healthier ways to sweeten their life. The solution is making the decision to take care of the body instead of the sweet tooth. It all comes down to the daily choices about what to put into your mouth.

I have committed myself to a sugar free lifestyle. I realize it is hard to make this type of change, but I know the improvements to over-all health are worth it in the end. If I can make this commitment, I believe anybody can make a change to their life. The cost of this decision is all the missed treats; I have learned there are other ways to “treat” myself. The payoff for this decision is a healthy body and life.

I didn’t make the commitment as part of a challenge this time around; I did it because I want to feel good. This time, I did it for me. Sugar may not be a bad word but it is a bad thing. I have chosen good health over bad habits. I have learned that when it comes to sugar, less is more.

I will admit there were times that I worked on this essay while eating oreo cookies and the next time you see me downing a brownie at the refreshment table know this, I'm not perfect. I don't have the perfect diet but I am moving in the right direction. Most days.

My essay was voted one of the top five essays in the class. That suprised me because most of my peers are full time college students whose diet consists of Mountain Dew and ho-ho's. Anyhow, it I learned a lot from the class and most of it was not about English.