They're Just Cupcakes

One Saturday in New York as I was heading to my apartment, I walked by a bakery. On display in the window were the largest cupcakes I had ever seen. The word “cupcake” was a misnomer in this case. A mere cup couldn’t contain these tremendous treats, which were more the size of a cereal bowl and required a two-handed grip.

I stopped to admire them for a moment and then kept walking. But I couldn’t get those giant cupcakes out of my mind. I quickly reversed course and made a beeline for the bakery’s front door. Once inside I selected the biggest of the big—chocolate, of course, topped with a thick, rich swirl of butter cream icing. I probably would have gotten two if the clerk hadn’t recognized me from my appearances on Martha Stewart’s show.

A few steps out the door, I quickly devoured my super cupcake. It tasted even better than it looked!

As soon as I had finished the last delicious bite I started to feel guilty. Several years ago this guilt would have sent me spiraling downward into a multi-day bad-food binge. Back then I thought that since I had already gotten my feet wet, I may as well dive in. The cupcake would be followed over the next few days by chocolates, cookies and maybe even a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Fortunately, I’ve now come to grips with my eating habits, accepting that it’s impossible, and unnecessary, to eat healthy all the time. I’ve learned to consider having a piece of cake or a few cookies every so often a reward for eating a balanced diet most of the time. Now I can put my giant cupcake episodes into proper perspective. Instead of slipping into a guilt-ridden junk-food fest, I congratulate myself for having a little treat, and am motivated to make my next meal a healthy one.

Whenever I mention this topic during one of my talks, many women approach me afterward to express their empathy and share their own quirky eating habits. None of us is perfect when it comes to eating healthy. We all slip now and again, but we can’t let that defeat us. We can indulge in cookies, cake or even a giant cupcake as long as we’re eating a healthy, well-balanced diet the majority of the time. So, here’s to fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein—and an occasional double scoop of mint chocolate chip.