Kitty Thompson

What Lent taught me about the sugar tax

Raspberry and Marzipan Cake, from Skye McAlpine’s A Table Full of Love

Christ is risen. Lent is over, Eastertide has begun. With it, my Lenten fast – and that of millions of others – has also reached its natural conclusion. This year, I sacrificed every kind of sweet treat I could think of: cakes, chocolate, biscuits, jam, pastries, ice cream. In doing so, I found myself grappling with the significance of resisting temptation in a society that increasingly outsources its self-discipline.

Back in March, I knew the next 40 days and 40 nights would not be easy. That is why I chose to do it. Growing up, no dinner was complete without a dessert. My grandad’s puddings would have made Mary Berry blush. Thanks to my family of sugar fiends, I have a ridiculously sweet tooth.

As an adult, I regularly cave to my sugary cravings.

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