The addiction is frighteningly real. We have all had our run-ins with this substance, both good and bad, but not ever on this level. I can’t stop, I won’t stop. Fruit gushers are taking over my life.

I eat them at breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and all the snacks in between. They are the energy that fuels all teenage life. Take one bite and you will understand why.

At first glance they look like any normal “fruit” flavored candy, but pop one in your mouth and a sweet syrupy rush surprises you right away.

As your tongue bathes in the liquid deliciousness your teeth slowly chew apart the soft chewy shell. Before you know it there are two empty boxes on the floor and a dozen shredded wrappers in your lap.

By the end of the week you will have consumed enough fats, sugars, and preservatives to put the average Olympic swimmer into cardiac arrest. By the end of the month, your eating habits could put the whole US swim team on biggest loser.

I wouldn’t have such a hard time with my addiction if it weren’t for my generous dealer. Every weekend my dad drives over to Safeway and if gushers, or any junk food for that matter, are on sale he buys out the store without a thought of child obesity.

His weekly trips are my Saturday afternoon alarm clocks, waking me up with the promise of fresh prey. Without them I would probably sleep until dinner.