Is there such a thing as sugar-free lemon meringue pie?

Thursday 24th December

There is an all-you-can eat buffet here at the Luxor, appropriately enough in the bowels of the hotel-casino. You pay $30 and eat as much as you want, and can even come back later in the day to eat it all over again.

Everything was going fine: I was being very sensible, eating very slowly, savouring each mouthful; not too much food and not too little. The only thing different about me from everyone else was the fact that I was reading a book. But surely other people come to Vegas and read over supper?

Then I discovered the “sugar-free” lemon meringue pie. Next to it was the “sugar free” chocolate pie. Next to that was “fat-free” vanilla yoghurt.

I have not really had sugary food since August and the “sugar-free” label was too tempting. But can there be such a thing as “sugar-free” lemon meringue pie? Not judging by the taste of this one.

After one plate I felt like running round the restaurant like an excitable child. “Frisky” would be the way to describe the feeling. It does make me sound like a stampeding horse, which would be about right.

I only had one piece of the lemon pie. Then I had a piece of the chocolate pie. Then I had to stop, not because I was full, but because I know where the alternative leads.

This would be something the Lighter Life counsellor would see as a “good” thing. That, when faced with “sugar-free” sugar, I did not go crazy and have 15 pieces. I am just happy for the sugar rush I did get.