Why I Overate at the Buffet

I walked into the restaurant with a clear mission. It was brunch buffet day—my favorite—and I had a game plan: eggs, bacon, prime rib, a fresh salad, and maybe a cup of coffee with extra cream. Low-carb, simple, delicious. I wasn’t craving sugar. Dessert wasn’t even on my mind.

Then the cookie table appeared.

Two cookies, to be exact. A swirl of whipped cream, caramel drizzle, strawberry sauce, and—because apparently I was auditioning for a food show—chips joined the plate.

I hadn’t planned this. I just… did it. One moment I focused on the bacon; the next I held a plate that belonged in the kids’ dessert section.

Why?

Maybe because it was a buffet, and buffets whisper, “Go on, it’s all included.” There’s a thrill in knowing you can eat as much as you want. It’s not hunger. It’s permission.

The cookies tasted glorious. Warm and chewy, with a perfect buttery edge. I felt no regret—not yet.

Thirty minutes later, reality slammed into me like a sugar-crash freight train. My arms felt twice as heavy. Each breath dragged. My energy nosedived just like someone flipped a switch.

Regret barged in, wearing cherub wings and blowing trumpets. I swore by angels, stars, and every carb-free cookbook I’ve loved—I’d never do it again.

I bake desserts all the time. Low-carb, sugar-free, sweet little miracles that never leave me flattened on the couch. My body knows a rhythm that doesn’t spike and tumble. This sugary detour wasn’t a treat; it was a shock.

And I felt it.

The Grocery Store Struggle and My Miracle Drink

After the restaurant, we stopped for groceries. Each step through the aisles felt heavier, like my body wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed. Horrendous. I pushed the cart in a fog, half-focused, half-dreaming of my couch.

What kept me going was the thought of my “super beverage” waiting at home:

A tall glass of cold water

Two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar

A few drops of stevia

Lots of ice

because why not, a generous spoonful of L. reuteri yogurt swirled right in.

Yum.

If you love little rituals and sugar-steady habits, you’ll find more inspiration in the Wellness section — it’s where I keep all the simple, powerful changes that make everyday life feel better.

The apple cider vinegar helps my body digest everything I ate and lowers the glycemic impact—a little science and a little magic. In that moment, I pinned all my hopes on that drink turning my sugar crash around.

And guess what? It worked. My stomach went from sugar chaos to Hallelujah mode. My energy returned, the fog lifted, and I finally felt like myself again.

Your turn:
Have you ever eaten something you didn’t even crave—just because it was there?
Or found a little “reset ritual” that helps you bounce back?
Let me know in the comments below.

Psst… If you love little wellness rituals as much as I do, peek inside the Wellness Vault — it’s where I keep my favorite low-carb recipes, sugar-crash remedies, and simple health boosts that actually work.