Thesis Statement: We need to know why we are addicted to sugar, how can stop the addiction, and the positive effects kicking the sugar habit will have on our lives.
Attention: Are you a sugarholic? Do you eat refined sugar everyday? Can you go more than one day without eating some type of sugar containing food? Have you ever hidden candy in your home in an effort not to share them with anyone? If you have you are not alone; I am guilty of my own questions. Sugar addiction is the most prevalent, widely practiced and legally accepted addiction in our society. Through my research I have found several books written on the sugar addiction and many of them have been best sellers. What does that say about society? It says that we are concerned about our health. Yet, few of us understand the effect sugar can have on our body. We need to know why we are addicted to sugar, how we can stop the addiction, and the positive effects kicking the sugar habit will have on our lives.
(Transition: I know you are thinking sugar is not a drug, come on it is sugar.) Need: I. We as a nation are addicted to sugar.
A. What is an addict? 1. Webster?s Dictionary defines addict as ?A habit so strong that it cannot easily be broken; or a chemical or psychological dependency.? B. The problem is we don?t realize our addiction to sugar.
1. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says we consume 130 pounds of sugar a year.
2. That?s 30 to 33 teaspoons of sugar daily.
3. The recommended daily allowance is 2 teaspoons.
C. Why are we addicted to sugar? 1. The answer is simple; we love it. We love: a. The energy boost: of a snickers bar.
b. The price: 10 licorice for $1.00, Can you imagine a cheaper habit to support? c. The availability: Especially in this city does 7/11 ring a bell.
d. The smell: of cookies, brownies or apple pie in the oven.
e. And most of all we love the taste.
D. But
Cited: Appleton, Nancy, Ph.D. Lick The Sugar Habit, Garden City Park: Avery, 1988. DesMaisons, Kathleen, Ph.D. The Sugar Addicts Total Recovery Program, New York: Ballantine, 2000. Grant, Ellen, M.D. Food Allergy and Migraine, New York: Lancet, 1979. Webster?s Dictionary. New Revised Edition. 1999. World Book Encyclopedia. Vol 18, Chicago, World Book Inc, p. 959-963, 2001.