by Mike Critelli,
Although it is not the primary cause of obesity, the differences between what and why we consume sweet treats during holidays and at other celebratory events is symptomatic of a much deeper societal issue.
Our lives would not be the same without birthday cakes, Thanksgiving pies, Christmas cookies, or chocolates shared with loved ones on Valentine’s Day or as a treat shared when we eat a chocolate Easter bunny. What would weddings be like if the bride and groom did not cut the wedding cake and serve it to guests? How do we rethink what we do for all these special occasions?
The link between sweet treats and holiday celebrations dates back far before our country’s founding and appears in many countries and cultures. Getting rid of unhealthy sweet treats on these special occasions is not realistic or even desirable.
Two Key Changes to Make Traditions Healthier
We need to make two changes to celebratory eating that make our traditions less unhealthy:
1. In planning celebratory events, we need to link the serving of the sweet treats much more explicitly to what they symbolize. Research data shows that when food or beverages are linked explicitly to celebratory events, event guests tend to eat or drink less than if the treat is presented in a way that is disconnected from its spiritual, religious or cultural origins.
2. There is a marked difference between the level of unhealthy ingredients in what we buy from a commercial operation, like a grocery store or bakery and what we prepare, either individually or as part of a communal celebratory dining experience.
Linking These Celebratory Events Back to Their Spiritual and Cultural Roots
In other countries, sweet treats have specific religious, spiritual or community bonding significance.
The hot cross buns served in Western Europe at Easter commemorate Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and his resurrection and rebirth.
Sticky rice cakes in China symbolize rising prosperity.
In the Judaic tradition, honey cake at Rosh Hashanah expresses hope for a sweet new year.
Many sweet treats are tied in some way to fertility and joy, or gratitude from a deity in pagan religions.
The tradition of wedding cakes in America, with their symbolic meaning of good fortune and unity, has roots stretching back to ancient Rome and Europe.
Baklava also carries deep symbolic meaning in Middle Eastern folklore and literature. In countless tales and poems, baklava is portrayed as a symbol of love, longing, and temptation.
In the United States, we have cheapened and degraded the serving and eating of sweet treats in terms of disconnecting them from the deeper meanings of the events and occasions from which they originated.
We need to revisit these traditions and points of origin of the treats we eat or drink during celebratory events.
We must honor these celebrations with the best quality food and beverages and the most appropriate consumption levels.
Honoring Occasions with Quality and Care
The foods and beverages we serve at celebratory events are very different from the sweet treats served in other countries or even what we prepare at home. American-style baked goods we buy at grocery stores or bakeries have become uniquely unbalanced—highly processed, hyper-palatable, and consumed too frequently. The portion sizes also tend to be larger. Many traditional sweet treats around the world retain a more wholesome, occasional-use role and are often made with higher quality and less industrialized ingredients.
Why Making Treats Matters
There is another profound difference between our way of celebrating through eating and the way celebrations are staged in other countries. Active involvement in preparing the sweet treats we serve at holidays not only increases awareness of ingredients, portions, and effort, but it also makes those treats much less unhealthy.
This engagement fosters mindful eating, which is associated with reduced calorie intake and greater satisfaction. Cooking together strengthens group connection and can shift focus from food to social interaction. People are more likely to savor the experience and eat slowly, reducing the chance of overeating.
Exposure to the smells, sights, and even tastes during preparation can lead to sensory-specific satiety — reducing appetite by the time the meal is served. This is why chefs and cooks often report eating less at the meal itself. When meals are self-prepared, especially in groups, there's a stronger tendency to self-regulate quantities and choose healthier or more balanced dishes.
Homemade vs. Store-Bought: A Healthier Choice
When we make and bake a dessert from any popular recipe book or article, we use less sugar or other unhealthy ingredients. Studies show that recipes for pies made at a private residence contain directions for less than half the amount of sugar as is added to commercially sold pies. Store-bought versions of pies or cakes have excessive sugar added, both as a preservative and a substance that will introduce craving.
Why should we consider preparing treats at home for celebrations involving relatively few people? Communal cooking is part of a ritual or ceremony that emphasizes respect, gratitude, and moderation. These values can inhibit excess and promote more intentional eating. All this contrasts sharply with catered meals, buffets, or pre-packaged celebration foods, which tend to encourage excessive consumption.
Our browser-based product will provide very targeted and specific guidance for the preparation and consumption of sweet treats on celebratory occasions to make that consumption more meaningful and spiritually and emotionally enriching.