I’m skipping the keto cookies

I saw a picture of myself when I was about 15 and I was definitely getting chunky. I didn’t even realize it until that moment. Ever since then, I’ve been fascinated by nutrition and what it takes to stay in shape. One thing I’ve learned, especially now that I’m in my 50s, is that trying to fake your way through cravings usually backfires.

I’m not a fan of “healthy” versions of the snacks we actually love. You’ve seen them—the keto cookies or the low-fat donuts. They’re often loaded with sugar alcohols and saturated fats just to make them palatable, and they never quite hit the spot. You end up eating more of them because they’re marketed as “healthy,” but you’re still left wanting the real thing.

To me, food is about ritual and memory. My wife is from Peru, and food is a huge part of how her family connects. I’m not going to sit there with a protein bar while everyone else enjoys a meal that brings back memories of her mother.

My oldest son has a birthday this weekend. We ordered a Publix cake, and I’m absolutely having a slice. I won’t have it all week, and it won’t be in the house on Monday, but I’m going to enjoy the real thing while it’s there.

How do you handle the sweets in your house when the family brings them in?