Should I eat dessert if I want to lose weight?

If you like dessert, you should absolutely include it in your eating pattern, even if you are trying to lose weight.

Can I eat dessert everyday and not gain weight?

It's not necessary to completely avoid desserts to lose weight . Restricting yourself from any type of food can increase feelings of deprivation and result in overeating later on. Instead, focus on moderation, your overall daily balance of nutrients, and finding foods that keep you full and satisfied.

Can I eat sweets once a week for weight loss?

Sweets can be part of a healthy, lifelong eating pattern. But for the least harm and -- don't forget this -- the fullest enjoyment, they should be eaten in moderation . That means in small amounts, or only a couple of times a week.

What is the highest calorie dessert?

1. 'The Roman Empire,' Coco Gelato , Cardiff, UK — 3,845 calories.

Will one dessert ruin my diet?

Most of my colleagues I have spoken to on this topic agree: Whether you call it an “intentional indulgence” or a “cheat meal,” enjoying dessert can help you attain your long-term weight and health goals, as long as you don't go overboard.

What is sweet but not fattening?

Enjoy naturally flavored popcorn , which makes a great travel snack, or sweet, sticky dates with nut butter, which reminds us of healthy candy. Go for healthy frozen desserts like banana “nice” cream or frozen yogurt bark if you're craving ice cream, or avocado mousse if you're craving chocolate.

What is sweet and has no calories?

Two sweeteners— erythritol and allulose —can be labeled as zero calories and sugar-free, but are not high-intensity sweeteners. In fact, both are less sweet than table sugar.

What has less calories than ice cream?

Depending on the brand, frozen yogurt often has fewer calories than most ice cream brands. Many recognize frozen yogurt has less fat than regular ice cream and may choose “froyo” instead. As for protein and carbohydrates, the icy duo has similar amounts.

Pick the right dessert to save calories (2024)

Some desserts are "better" than others. See if you choose the right ones. Brownie vs. chocolate layer cake vs. chocolate mousse Your best...

Some desserts are “better” than others. See if you choose the right ones.

Brownie vs. chocolate layer cake vs. chocolate mousse

Your best bet is the chocolate mousse or the layer cake, since both carry about 550 calories for a 6-ounce portion. (Incidentally, if you thought a chocolate flourless cake was lower in calories, a 6-ounce piece has about 800 calories.)

A typical 6-ounce brownie has about 600 calories. However, many restaurants serve even larger brownies, 7 ounces or more. Plus, restaurants don’t stop with the basic square of chocolate fudge. A brownie dessert typically comes with ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, pecans, chocolate chunks and a cherry on top. All this can add up to more than 1,200 calories.

FIT TIP: To satisfy your desire for chocolate, try sugar-free pudding made with skim milk. Drop in a few chocolate chips while it’s hot or top it with light whipped cream. You can also make No Pudge Brownies, a fat-free brownie mix using yogurt (www.nopudge.com). If you’re out to dinner, ask about healthy desserts. For instance, Applebee’s has a chocolate-raspberry layer cake that has only 230 calories.

Cheesecake vs. carrot cake vs. poundcake

Plain cheesecake is your best bet at about 430 calories for about 4 ounces — you tend to eat less because it’s dense and rich. Don’t be fooled by the “carrot” in carrot cake — it isn’t just a slice of sweetened baby carrots. A 4-ounce portion has about 500 calories, but it varies depending on the amount of frosting used.

And what about poundcake? The name says it all — the original recipe calls for a pound each of butter, sugar, eggs and flour. That’s why it’s about 550 calories for 4 ounces. Plus, because poundcake is kind of plain, it’s often served with ice cream and/or a sauce on top, which adds 250 to 400 calories.

FIT TIP: If you choose carrot cake, remove some or all of the cream-cheese frosting (more than 100 calories per ounce). Look for low-fat cheesecakes in your supermarket — they have about 200 calories for a 3-ounce portion. If you crave poundcake, opt for zucchini bread instead, which has about 360 calories for a 4- to 5-ounce portion, depending on preparation. Because the main ingredient is zucchini, there is typically less “bread,” plus zucchini is a high-moisture vegetable, which allows you to use less oil in the preparation without sacrificing moistness.

Tiramisu vs. tapioca

Tiramisu is the clear loser here at 400 calories for 5 ounces. The primary ingredients are usually some mixture of creamy fats, processed sugars and alcohol. A typical recipe calls for eggs, mascarpone cheese, ladyfingers, cream, espresso, liquor (e.g., brandy, Marsala or rum), sugar, and cocoa or shaved chocolate.

Tapioca, on the other hand, has only 120 calories (4 ounces) and is essentially a root starch taken from the yucca plant (also called a cassava).

FIT TIP: A great option here is Jell-O Tapioca Fat-Free Pudding at only 100 calories per serving.

Apple pie vs. blueberry pie

They’re about even at 60 to 70 calories per ounce. So, with a typical home serving coming in at 4 ounces and a restaurant serving at 6 to 7 ounces, you’re looking at 240 to 490 calories. However, not all apple pies are created equal. For instance, there’s apple crumb pie or apple crisp, which add 100 calories or so per serving.

FIT TIP: Skip the crust and save almost 100 calories. Or, if you’re craving something sweet at home, try baking your own apple pie and reducing the calories by using baking Splenda and reduced-fat margarine or butter. Better yet, enjoy a baked apple: Take out the core, dab the apple with a bit of reduced-fat margarine and a bit of brown sugar, add some apple juice and cook for about 90 minutes at 350 degrees. You can even bake apples in the microwave. Or try fresh apple slices and blueberries in Jell-O or frozen blueberries topped with low- or nonfat whipped cream.

When eating out (because of larger portion sizes), skip the whipped cream — it adds 80 to 100 calories per serving. Oh, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream to make it “a la mode” can tack on another 270 calories.

Pick the right dessert to save calories (2024)

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