By Rabbi Eli Scheller — One Time One Time

When I first got married, my wife and I went grocery shopping together. I put two bottles of Coke in the cart, and she stared at me.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

I said, “Would you rather Pepsi?”

She blinked. “Soda?? Do you know how much sugar they put in there? It’s so unhealthy!”
I said, “That’s what I’ve been drinking my whole life! What else would I drink?”

She looked at me like it was obvious. “Water.”

And just like that, at 23 years old, I was introduced to H₂O.

It didn’t taste good — but interestingly, it made me feel good.

Over the years, my wife slowly helped me eat healthier — whole-wheat bread with avocado instead of Cocoa Pebbles, salads instead of fries and onion rings. But one thing didn’t change: I loved sugar.

I was a fifth-grade rebbi — long days, a lot of talking, and plenty of energy needed. I’d start strong with a healthy breakfast and snack, but when I came home, I was drained. I needed something to lift me up, something to keep me company.

I knew exactly who to turn to: my wife’s chocolate cake — leftover from Shabbos.

One piece led to another. And another.

Until the chocolate cake knocked me out — leaving me tired, heavy, and frustrated.

Then at night, trying to stay up to finish projects, I’d snack again. Every morning, I’d wake up with a stomachache. This went on day after day, night after night. Each day started with regret for what I’d eaten the night before. I felt like a healthy person trapped in unhealthy habits.

Finally, I realized something simple: my worst eating happened when I was exhausted. If I could just go to sleep earlier, I’d skip the nighttime snacks altogether.

That small change made me feel like a million dollars. I started waking up light, energized, and ready to jog early in the morning.

Then came the biggest breakthrough: I quit sugar.

Completely.

No sugar in coffee, no pastries, no sweet drinks. Nothing.

At first, it was tough. But then something amazing happened — fruits and vegetables became incredibly sweet. Apples, bananas, even celery tasted different. And decisions became easier.

When someone offered me a donut, it was a clear “No, thank you.” In the past, I’d go back and forth and eventually give in. Now, I was free.

Next, I made another shift — I began limiting heavy, fried, and processed foods during the week. I realized that when my stomach is working overtime, my brain can’t. Lighter food meant clearer thinking.

And no eating two hours before bed — my nights became calmer, my mornings clearer.

Since adopting these habits, I’ve felt like a new person — not just physically, but emotionally. Food no longer controls me. I control it.

What’s interesting is that I was never trying to lose weight or even “be healthy.” I was trying to feel great — energized, focused, alive. I didn’t want to feel lethargic, bloated, or tied down to donuts. I’m after pleasure — just a much greater one than pastries could ever offer.

To sum it up: we once had a birthday party for one of my children, complete with a chocolate cake. (We don’t force our kids to eat healthy — we educate them and give them good options.) While the kids were munching, they said, “Tatty, we feel so bad for you that you can’t have any.”

I smiled and said, “First of all, I can have — it’s my choice not to. Secondly, maybe I should be the one feeling bad for you! In twenty minutes, I’ll feel great, while you might be dealing with a sugar crash and a stomachache.”

I’ve had too many pieces of chocolate cake to know that its pleasure is short-lived.

To summarize the energizing health benefits I discovered on my journey:

My Energy Health Plan

• Drink lots of water. It’s simple, but it changes everything.
• Go to sleep early. Most bad eating happens when we’re tired.
• Exercise. Move your body; it keeps you mentally sharp.
• No eating two hours before bed. Your body needs rest, not digestion.
• No sugar. It’s not a diet — it’s freedom.
• Limit processed and fried foods. Avoid anything that makes your stomach work overtime.

The truth is, you don’t need to change everything overnight. Start with one small habit — drink more water, go to sleep a little earlier, or skip that late-night snack. Those tiny wins build momentum.

Before you know it, you’ll look back and realize how far you’ve come —
from Cocoa Pebbles to celery sticks, and from surviving each day to thriving through it.

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About the Author:

Rabbi Eli Scheller is a dynamic speaker, storyteller, and founder of One Time One Time, a creative platform inspiring personal growth through storytelling, multimedia, and live events. His content has reached audiences worldwide through schools, shuls, and platforms like TorahAnytime and The Lakewood Scoop. Learn more at onetimeonetime.com.