day no. 15,642: appetites governed, mischief managed

"Govern well thy appetite, lest sin surprise thee." -- John Milton, Paradise Lost

There is no reason to be surprised by appetite. It's onset is predictable and avoidable. A steady diet prevents pangs. Governed appetites cannot be surprised by desires. A full stomach is not enticed by forbidden niceties.

In a world full of fruit trees, Adam and Eve were placed within reach and commanded to refrain from one tree's fruit in particular.  If the goal was to obey, never allowing yourself to be hungry and within the proximity of that tree would have been an effective strategy and an easy way to help yourself obey. On the contrary, wandering near that forbidden tree on an empty stomach as a result of neglecting your regular meals, would be a good way to make eating that fruit more likely.

Proverbs 27:7
The full soul loatheth an honeycomb;
but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

Stay full, stay safe. The satisfied soul can say, "No" even to honey; whereas the hungry soul is in danger. The dissatisfied soul cannot say, "No" even to bitterness. The famished soul reasons that tasting death is better than starving. Pangs make poison appear more appetizing. Hunger may be the best pickle in making everything taste better, but that unfortunately includes even that which is bitter. 

All that to say, appetites must be governed. They will not monitor themselves. They will master you if left unmastered. They are quick to obey when managed, yet slow to stand down when promoted.