Do You Follow Any Special Diet Or Eating Rules? Why?

Field Personal/Sugar

In recent years, there has been a renewed focus on food in America. This may be a response to the upswing in Diabetes and obesity, it could be due to the organic or slow food trend, or it might be because people simply know more these days than they did even just 20 years ago. Do you think about what you eat? Do you think about the sugar you eat? Why or why not? How does sugar (or sugary foods) affect your life? Why is this topic important (or not important) to you?

This assignment is likely one of the very few chances you will have in this unit to talk personally and reflect about how the topic of Sugar in America pertains to your life. I invite you to take this opportunity to explore all the possible angles. Here are some ideas:

-Do you follow any special diet or eating rules? Why? -Do you read food labels? Do you know what is in the food you eat (even at restaurants), or do you just eat what tastes good? -Do you view eating as a means to anything beyond feeling full? Or, do you just like to put an end to your rumbly stomach? -Do you enjoy eating? In what types of situations? -Do you have positive or negative memories associated with food? Why? -How did you eat growing up? Healthily? As a family? Spoonfuls of Tang? Do you think you have ‘healthy’ memories associated with eating? Why? -Do you see food and food production as an economic issue in America? Why? -What does being healthy mean to you? -Are you familiar with food science? What are your opinions on genetically modified foods? Do you care whether or not what you eat is a result of scientific innovations? Why? -Where did you grow up? Do you think geographical location can have an effect on how and what people eat? Why? -Why are some people so passionate about food and what they eat? Are you? Do you ever feel turned off by someone who won’t stop preaching about eating healthily? -Do you ever feel compelled to inform other people about the food choices they are making? Do you see it as your job to help your family and/or friends become healthier? Why? -What other issues (un/employment, oil production, national debt, big brother/Uncle Sam, healthcare costs) do you connect this debate about processed sugar to? Why?

In a nutshell, this assignment is an opportunity for you to let it all out-get as much (or as little) personal connection established between yourself and the topic in advance. It is highly likely that if you think about these connections now, you will be better prepared to develop an interesting and relevant essay claim.