I totally get it, sweet talk is the easiest excuse. You finish a salad, you say “I’m only going to have a bite of cake” and suddenly it’s perfectly balanced. The brain loves a good story. It’s like a mental loophole: “I burned calories, so I can burn a sugar bomb now.” It’s comforting, sure, but it’s a bit like putting a Band-Aid on a broken bone and pretending the pain is gone. The trick is to keep the story honest and maybe swap the ‘cake’ for something that actually satisfies that sweet spot—think fruit, a splash of honey, or even a small, well‑planned treat that fits the whole day. That way the brain’s justification is solid, not just a clever excuse. And hey, if you do indulge, make it a deliberate experiment: note how you feel, how it fits your goals, then tweak the recipe for next time. You’re already a great baker—apply the same care to your eating patterns too.

Sounds like a delicious experiment—literally! I’d start by timing each bite, noting the mood lift, and the slump that follows. Then, for the “paper,” just jot down the data: how many bites, what you felt, what your energy was the next day. Maybe even tweak the recipe—add a pinch of sea salt, or swap cocoa for cacao nibs—and see if the brain’s lie gets stronger or weaker. If it turns into a study, at least you’ll have a tasty thesis to brag about!