The holiday season, a time of joy and indulgence, often brings with it a tricky balancing act—especially when it comes to food. Anne Bogel, a fellow blogger, shared a story that many of us can relate to, a tale of how the concept of moderation sometimes crumbles in the face of irresistible temptations.
Anne decided to let her kids enjoy some sweet treats in moderation during the holidays. Stockings filled with chocolate, cookies at Grandma’s house, and even homemade healthy versions of chocolate and marshmallows seemed like reasonable ways to celebrate. But for her 5-year-old, moderation was a foreign concept. One bite of a sweet treat wasn’t enough; it was a trigger that set off an insatiable desire for more. Before long, the treats were gone, and her daughter was still begging for another taste.
The problem wasn’t just the lack of self-control; Anne’s daughter’s body simply couldn’t handle sugar well. Even a seemingly “reasonable” amount of sugary treats led to uncomfortable symptoms. It was a harsh reminder that what works for some doesn’t work for everyone, and moderation isn’t always the magic solution.
Interestingly, Anne discovered that she shared the same struggle. When it came to sweets, her body had no “off” switch either. A single taste of sugar would set off a chain reaction of cravings that were nearly impossible to ignore. It was only when she decided to eliminate all sugars, including artificial ones, from her diet that the cravings finally subsided. She no longer had a sweet tooth, and she found that it was easier to avoid sweets altogether than to try to eat them in moderation.
When Anne shared her decision to forego sweets, she faced criticism from others. They called her approach “extreme” and insisted that moderation was the healthier and happier choice. The reaction was even more intense when she revealed that her kids also didn’t eat sweets. People were quick to judge, assuming that her children were missing out on a normal childhood or were at risk of developing eating disorders.
But Anne knew that what worked for her family was the right choice. Sure, they made the occasional exception during special occasions, but more often than not, those exceptions led to regret. For her and her kids, it was clear that when it came to certain foods, there was no such thing as moderation.
Sweets might not be your downfall. Maybe it’s the crunch of a bag of chips, the savory goodness of crackers, or the spicy allure of jalapeño poppers that you can’t resist. The key is to be honest with yourself. If you find that you constantly struggle to stop eating a particular food, no matter how hard you try to practice moderation, it might be worth considering whether abstaining altogether would bring you more peace and happiness.
It’s not an easy decision, and it certainly goes against the common wisdom that “everything in moderation” is the way to go. But sometimes, taking a more extreme approach is the only way to break free from the cycle of craving and overindulgence.
So, if you’ve been fighting a losing battle with a certain food, why not give it a try? Cut it out completely for a while and see how you feel. You might be surprised at the results. And who knows, like Anne, you may discover that freedom from those relentless cravings is far more rewarding than any temporary indulgence. And if you do find that moderation works for you after all, well, there’s always a delicious chocolate recipe waiting for you to enjoy.
