Cindy doesn’t like eating vegetables. Mrs. Green always says to her, “It’s good to eat vegetables. They help you to keep (保持) healthy.” But Cindy doesn’t listen. This morning, Mrs. Green puts a picture book on Cindy’s bed. The name of the book is Missy the Cat Who loves to Eat Vegetables. Cindy reads the book on the sofa and she finds it great fun. In the book, Missy doesn’t like vegetables. But one day, she goes to see her cousin Mimi. Mimi loves eating vegetables and she tells Missy why it’s important (重要的) to eat vegetables. Cindy thinks, “Mom is right. Mimi is right. Vegetables are good for me.” Do you want to know what Mimi tells Missy? Just read the book!

Are you the kind of person who always keeps a bar of chocolate nearby? Perhaps you feel weak or sleepy without your sweets. If so, you may have a problem that millions of SUGAR others have: sugar addiction.

Addiction means using a substance (物质) or doing an activity over and over again even though it has bad effects. Playing computer games, drinking are examples of activities that can develop into addictions.

There are four steps of behavior that happen during a sugar addiction. Step one begins with a strong wish for something sweet. This happens because sugar causes the body to produce dopamine (多巴胺). It is a substance that creates feelings of happiness. In step two, even after sugar has been eaten, the desire remains and grows. This is because the body becomes less sensitive to the effect of sugar over time. So, it is necessary to eat more sugar to produce the positive emotions. In step three, when a sugar need is not satisfied, the person feels bad. They also feel physical symptoms, such as headaches, sleepiness, and lack of energy. Over time, a sugar addiction will reach step four. This is when the worst health effects of sugar addiction can be seen. Unhealthy body weight and low spirits are examples.

Breaking a sugar addiction can be challenging, but it is important for your health. There are a few things to keep in mind. It’s simple advice you probably have heard before. Eat three meals a day, get enough sleep, and exercise often. Choose healthy sweets, like fruit, and avoid salty snacks. These usually cause people to want to eat sweets. Don’t push yourself too hard. Remember that lifestyle changes happen slowly.

Hi. My name is Jenny. I am 12. In the morning, I eat bread and fruit. I drink milk, too. For lunch and dinner, I like rice and vegetables. I like ice-cream and Coke. But I don’t always have them. Because I know they are not healthy. I like sports. I’m on the basketball team in my school.

I have a classmate. His name is Paul. He is 12. He has good eating habits. He often has milk and bread for breakfast. For lunch, he likes rice and vegetables. He often has chicken and some fruit for dinner. He likes them very much. After school, he likes to play soccer with his classmates.