Sweet Addiction

"He is addicted to sweets and chocolates," my new sister-in-law was saying last week, referring to my brother. She was genuinely concerned about his quiet coughs, but he refuses to get checked out.

"Chocolates and sweets have always been a favorite for him, Mom, and me ever since. They are like our magic pills." I admitted jokingly. But it's the truth. I think it was one of those habits we acquired from Mom growing up. For me, a day feels incomplete without a sweet, comforting nibble. Although I'm learning to tame my sweet tooth to just a small piece per day, that's why some bars in the fridge are still untouched.

"As for his coughing, the specialist we had consulted before said it was an allergic reaction to the colder temperature. It might be true since he only coughs on cold days. But you can persuade him to go for another consultation. It's been years since I went with him to the doctor, and things can change over time," I continued, encouraging her.

I understand the girlfriend's concern because my brother is stubborn. It takes convincing power and patience to get him to do something, especially going for a health check. Years ago, I had to come home from abroad and personally accompany him for a thorough examination, make sure he completed his injections, and be with him, along with my nephew, for his month-long physical therapy sessions at one of the city hospitals.

Oops, I digressed...

But yes, chocolates are deeply rooted in our childhood. If my memory serves me right, he'd been munching on KitKats since he was young. So it is no surprise that he still loves them today. Get into his car, and you'll find sweet treats (cookies, chocolate candies, a Cadbury bar, or others) in the backseat organizers. I was just chuffed that his two kids aren't into them. They prefer minty nibbles. At least he didn't pass on his sweet tooth to them.

It also helps that his girlfriend makes sure there are healthier snack options like nuts and unflavored crackers, which they can easily reach when they need an energy boost while driving.

Being a sweet tooth is challenging. It is hard to stop having sugary treats completely, but we can be mindful of how much we consume and make some intentional adjustments. Personally, I often substitute them with naturally sweet fruits like pears, bananas, and apples. And that's a good start, I think.