So I’m trolling through the Talmud and I find this out: apparently, the Rabbis too had sweet cravings! And they too gave thought to effects of sugar on moods, and energy, and how our hunger is different at different times…so neat! And man — nothing like a cake of figs to get you going after a three-day fast…

Our Rabbis taught: If one was seized with a ravenous hunger, he is given to eat honey and all kinds of sweet things, for honey and very sweet food enlighten the eyes of man.
And although there is no proof for the matter, there is an intimation in this respect: See, I pray you how mine eyes are brightened. because I tasted a little of this honey.
What does ‘although there is no proof for the matter’ mean? Because there no ravenous hunger has seized him.
Abaye said: This applies only after a meal, but before the meal, it even increases one’s appetite, as it is written: And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him, to David, and gave him, bread, and he did eat,’ and they gave him water to drink,’ and they gave him a piece of cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins,’ and when he had eaten, his spirit came back to him,’ for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.
- Talmud Bavli, Masechet Yoma 83b