Now that I have your full attention (and disappointment), you should know that there is still hope. In a single Betty Crocker Super Moist Party Rainbow Chip Cake Mix, there are only about 280 calories per cupcake. Add a massive dollop of creamy pink frosting and you've got maybe 380 calories total. That's less than the majority of 6-inch subs from Subway, and that's far less than almost anything off the Dollar Menu at McDonald's. And if we're being completely honest, it probably tastes better too.
According to CNN, Americans spend billions of dollars every year on supplements to help them lose weight. The industry reported an estimated $25 billion in sales in 2009.
As a society we put so much stock into how beautiful we are perceived by others that we can forget that it's OK to be different. The fashion industry puts a women's size 8 pants and above as 'plus size,' but the average American woman is wearing a size 14. Most models are in a size 0 - 2, which makes us go crazy trying to achieve that size and weight, when in reality it's not a healthy goal for everyone.
We've all met those people who go to the gym five days a week, count their calories even down to the 1/8 teaspoon of peanut butter they put on their disgustingly healthy 900 grain bread, and get on your case for eating processed foods. I do have to give those people props. I eat generally healthy and go to the gym, but I don't think I'd ever have a strict enough mind set to scrutinize every calorie I put into my body.
This is why I'm here to tell you that eating the cupcake is OK. In fact, it's even good for you. Not nutritionally speaking, of course, but it's good for your soul.
Cupcakes are soul food. Eating soul food makes people happy, and happy people are generally nice to others. So by that logic, if we all just ate one single cupcake, everyone could be happy, even if it were just for a few moments while swallowing and tasting the pink, confetti-filled deliciousness that comes in such a small package.