Chapter 1: The Sweet Fast Experience

In mid-January, my family embarked on a month-long journey of abstaining from sweets and alcohol, a challenge that started with just my wife, Aynabat, and me. Unexpectedly, our 9-year-old son, Ayhan, opted to join us, which left me quite impressed! I anticipated some cheating, perhaps a few jitters, and the inevitable discomfort, but surprisingly, the experience was much easier than I had imagined.

While it certainly wasn't enjoyable throughout, there were challenging moments. The cravings were tough, especially when confronted with the sight or smell of tempting treats. I also missed the joy of sharing sweet moments with others, and this was evident in my dreams. Early in the fast, I dreamt of having a small piece of cake, followed by a dream where I sipped beer, only to realize I was fasting mid-sip. Toward the month’s end, I even hosted an imaginary ice cream party, serving cones to everyone—including myself! The funniest part? I decided to have chocolates too, but Aynabat, ever the voice of reason, advised against it, leading me to put the chocolates back.¹

The hardest part was undoubtedly the disruption of our cherished traditions. Spontaneous trips to the ice cream shop were off-limits, and enjoying hot chocolate with Ayhan on a snowy day became a distant memory. Cooking French Toast together on leisurely mornings was replaced by the monotonous oatmeal. However, within a week, the cravings lessened, and the feeling of loss became more manageable. By our third week, I attended a party where sweets were served, and surprisingly, I felt little temptation.

Ironically, this self-imposed restriction made life simpler. Grocery shopping became a breeze as I effortlessly ignored entire aisles. Yet, in a drugstore, the candy aisle still beckoned, with its bright packaging and enticing discounts reminding me of holidays like Halloween and Easter. It was refreshing to go in for just one item and leave without a bag full of sugary snacks.

Chapter 2: Healthier Choices and Breaking the Fast

Abandoning sweets initially led to a slight decrease in my food intake. However, over time, I began to replace processed sugars with fruits. Grapes, apples, oranges, and pineapples became staples in my diet. Eventually, these natural sweets became as satisfying as their processed counterparts—though I had to remind myself to savor them instead of consuming them mindlessly.

By the end of the month, I had established healthier eating habits, which I maintained even during a trip to Washington, D.C. However, what I missed the most were the delightful desserts, whether homemade or from our favorite places.

As we neared the end of our fast, returning to familiar spots in our old hometown proved to be a challenge. Nevertheless, I’m proud to say I didn’t cheat—partly due to the motivation of avoiding shameful confessions of sneaking sweets.

When the fast concluded, we treated ourselves to three cookies from Firehook Bakery, a place that holds fond memories for me. Thankfully, our cat Kedi remained safe at home, and her cuteness ensured she was well taken care of.

However, I found that two of the cookies were rather disappointing, along with the tea cookies from Whole Foods. The cupcakes? They were stale and overly sweet. It turned out that a month without sweets had heightened our standards.

On a positive note, my son and I enjoyed a delicious milkshake, and Aynabat's pancakes were delightful. This reinforced a significant realization I had during the fast: prioritize homemade or adventurous treats over mass-produced sweets.

This brings me to a new guiding principle, inspired by Michael Pollan, which I've adapted for my sugar consumption: “Enjoy sweets. Not excessively. Focus on special treats.”

For those unfamiliar with the original, Pollan's mantra was: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” In this context, “enjoy sweets” encourages occasional indulgence while steering clear of artificial candies and desserts that lack nutritional value. Moderation is key, especially considering the consequences of excessive sugar intake. This means avoiding items that masquerade as food but are loaded with sugar: granola bars, sweetened dried fruits, and muffins (unless you're particularly fond of them).

Moreover, “focus on special treats” suggests resisting impulsive purchases at stores while embracing spontaneous moments—like stopping for ice cream on a hot summer day or savoring a friend's homemade cookies. While it’s ideal to reserve homemade goodies for special occasions, the trend of impulsively buying low-quality sweets has started to diminish, giving way to healthier choices or nothing at all. And during festive occasions like Halloween, indulging in treats becomes a special experience worth cherishing.

Of course, this guiding principle is somewhat aspirational. I anticipate moments of temptation, especially when faced with seasonal candy sales. Yet, I hope to feel less controlled by sugar moving forward. Even after the fast, I occasionally find myself mindlessly reaching for sweets—though I've started opting for figs over cookies more often.

I've contemplated whether a stricter prohibition would be better, but I’m not ready to commit to that just yet. That said, I know this won't be my last experience with a sweet fast. Aynabat is already discussing another week-long challenge soon, and while I'm not particularly thrilled about it, I’m confident I can endure it—and maybe even enjoy it.

Endnotes

1. Even in my dreams, my wife is looking out for me! This phenomenon is discussed in "Dopamine Nation," where the author notes that once someone cheats, they might feel compelled to continue indulging. Being aware of this can help one stay mindful.
2. This isn't an exaggeration. A comparison of Kit Kat ingredients in the US versus the UK reveals more fillers in the American version, affecting the overall taste.
3. This experience highlighted how much our celebrations have become intertwined with desserts, a pattern I recognize I sometimes revert to.
4. Perhaps the most significant takeaway was realizing the importance of accountability. However, I prefer not to take it to the extremes portrayed in the Stephen King film “Quitter’s Inc.”
5. For clarity, not all treats were consumed at once!