I did it again — I called myself JB in the third person. Yes, I know it sounds weird, and yes, I dance on camera while I cook, so people are bound to feel uncomfortable during my posts. Whatever. That’s just me.
Let’s talk about sweets. I absolutely love them. I grew up on peanut butter and chocolate chip sandwiches and swiss rolls, thanks Mom. In high school I discovered chocolate chip pancakes as an after-school snack. In college, late-night study sessions with my best friends involved a two-gallon tub of ice cream and sugar cookie dough. I’m unabashedly into sweets — slightly embarrassing, but true.
Here’s the thing: I gain weight very easily. My metabolism is slow, so when I eat sugar my body reacts quickly. I can feel the changes within hours, and I know the sugar I consumed will affect my body, not always for the better.
But I’m human, and I’m not willing to give up sweets entirely. When I tell myself I can’t have something, I want it even more. That means I need a strategy to satisfy my sweet tooth without sabotaging my health. I can eat a Cinnabon — heavenly, I know — or I can make my own coffee cake. I can order stuffed French toast from IHOP or make my own paleo-friendly French toast. When I compare the two, I consider which will make me feel worse: grains or nuts and coconut. My body doesn’t tolerate grains well, so the IHOP option is out. My homemade version lets me enjoy a treat without feeling sick or regretful.
When I want something sweet, I choose desserts that have been adapted to fit my lifestyle. I’ll stuff dates with almond butter and be perfectly content. Creating paleo desserts means I can live a balanced, enjoyable lifestyle — I don’t feel like I’m missing out. That flexibility is essential to a sustainable way of eating. It’s why I share recipes: to give you options that help you stay on track while still enjoying food.
That said, a word of caution from experience: “paleo” doesn’t automatically mean healthy in unlimited amounts. Sugar is still sugar, regardless of the source, and it affects your body the same way. Paleo desserts should be eaten in moderation. If your body reacts like mine, you won’t feel great after consuming a whole jar of almond butter or a huge plate of sweet potato brownies. I notice changes in my body when I overindulge — that’s just reality.
So moderation and self-control are important, even if it’s hard. Often, when I make desserts I bring them to friends. That lets me satisfy my cravings, share recipes, and introduce others to how approachable the paleo diet can be. It’s a win-win.
Let’s summarize:
- I love sweets, so I eat them in ways that work better for me. That doesn’t mean I think they’re health foods to be eaten daily, nor does it mean your body will respond the same way as mine. Your body is yours — find what works best for you, whether that includes sweets or not.
- When CrossFit competitions come up, my diet changes significantly. That means no dark chocolate for me, no late-night binges, and smaller meals. It’s tough, but worth it for performance.
- The inside of a Cinnabon is undeniably delicious, but I have to keep that image at bay if I want a digestive system that functions well.
Now it’s your turn to decide what works for you. Are you the type who can’t tolerate any sweets, or the type who needs something sweet every day? Either approach is fine — just find what keeps you healthy and happy, and stop worrying about what others eat. Personally, having a dessert two to three times a week keeps me sane and smiling. For example, sticky apple bars satisfied my craving for apple pie and did the trick — craving gone, mission accomplished.
Life is about choices: choosing food that makes us feel unwell or food that helps us thrive physically and mentally. For me, paleo desserts offer a balance — they satisfy my sweet tooth and support my mental well-being. That’s why I love them.