Memoirs of a sugar addict : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Authors
Tescher, Jessica E.
Advisor
Kingery, Margaret
Issue Date
1997
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (B.?.)
Department
Honors College
Other Identifiers
Abstract

This project has gone through many transformations. Originally, it was going to be a musical project. I was going to finish and then record some songs that I have been in the process of composing for the last four years. When it came time work on the songs, however, I found I could hardly force myself to sit down at the piano. What I did instead was sit in my room and read book after book about nutrition. Little did I know my form of "procrastination" was going to serve as a base for this project.In this project I discuss a substance that many of us know and love--sugar. In November of 1996, I discovered William Dufty's book, Sugar Blues. Since then, I have been trying--without permanent success--to cut all forms of refined sugar out of my diet. The process has been enlightening, discouraging, painful, and rewarding.After reading Dufty's book, I realized that we as Americans are in a difficult position. Research shows that sugar is a potentially harmful and addictive substance. As Americans we can listen to the research, decide to take responsibility for our health, and quit eating sugar. Of course, quitting means going through painful physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Not many of us like to go through pain. Our other option is to ignore the research and continue feeding our sugar habit. Though this option may seem more appealing in the present, choosing this road will only lead us to pain in the future. We've gotten ourselves into quite a predicament, then, haven't we? Either way, it's going to hurt.Even though I don't like it, I know I have a duty to quit eating refined sugar. If I lived in my own airtight little world, I'd probably keep eating it. But I live in a world where my decisions and actions affect the well being of the people around me. My actions today will especially effect my future children, and I cannot justify abusing my body when I know that their health ultimately depends on my ability to remain healthy and happy. I can only hope that most Americans will agree with me.In the following pages, I relate some of the information I've learned about the harmful effects of refined sugar. But also, and perhaps more importantly, I discuss the challenges I have faced during my ongoing attempt to quit eating sugar.