We all find ourselves debating that extra chocolate chip cookie after dinner, but we're here to put your mind at ease. As part of a balanced diet, there's no reason you shouldn't spoil yourself now and then, but did you know that dessert can have its benefits as well?
Here are five reasons it's okay to reach for that extra treat after a meal.
1. You Shouldn’t Deprive Yourself
We know that eating a huge amount of sweets isn’t the healthiest choice, as this can lead to a range of health issues in the future. But it’s not advisable to live on a restrictive diet for the rest of your life either!
When eating a balanced diet, we can allow ourselves to indulgences once a week or so. It’s okay to reward yourself with desserts occasionally.
If you’re looking to offset your dessert consumption, here are some small steps toward healthier eating you can follow- start by eating smaller portions, measure your meal into a small dish, and put food containers away once you’ve dished out your serving.
2. Some Desserts Can Protect You from Strokes
This is going to be music to the chocolate lover’s ears. Consuming a little dark chocolate can help to reduce long term risks of strokes.
A 10-year study on 37,000 Swedish men, all aged between 45 to 79 years, found that the ones who ate dark chocolate frequently were 17% less likely to survive a stroke than those who didn’t.
3. Dessert Can Lower Blood Pressure
A good excuse to buy a candy bar is that it can lower your blood pressure. Eating a small square of dark chocolate regularly can decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Chocolates are made from cocoa, and cocoa, in turn, contains flavanols. Flavanols are the most popular group of flavonoids and include catechins, epicatechin and procyanidins, like those found in red wine, grapes, and citrus. Flavanols are a type of antioxidant that helps to regulate blood pressure.
4. Eating Dessert on Your Diet Will Not Automatically Make You Gain Weight
If you enjoy a confectionery and worry about having desserts while you’re on a diet, then rest assured; you positively should be eating dessert as long as you are careful while you eat it, so savour every last bite of that sweet while you’re slimming your waistline.
If you’ve been avoiding any and all desserts because you’re afraid your sweet tooth will get in the way of your weight gain, we have good news: if you’re intelligent about your dessert choices, there’s no reason you can’t indulge.
5. Putting You in a Good Mood
It’s no secret that desserts of all kind are delicious; particularly puddings and chocolates. Have you ever taken a mouthful of your favourite pudding and instantly felt a higher level of happiness? That feeling is real. Almost nothing can give you more pleasure than your favourite dessert. This feeling is great for your well-being.
As you eat dessert, you can savour every delicious bite without feeling guilty. Desserts can hit the spot in a healthy way that will have you feeling energized and satisfied to keep reaching for your health goals.