Pudding, ice cream or super moist cake, what is your go-to dessert? Contrary to what is thought and said by many, desserts can actually be of great benefit to your health, and while the treats may not be the healthiest form of carbohydrates, the right indulgences can fuel your body and mind. Nutritionists say you can still enjoy your favourite dessert albeit in moderation. They caution that just like any other food, eating a moderate amount of dessert can contribute to overall wellbeing. With a balanced diet of whole grains, vegetables, and proteins, David Rukerabigwi, a dietician and nutritionist in Kigali, says one shouldn’t be afraid to include a moderate amount of dessert to their daily meals. He says dessert has proven health benefits and helps ensure one receives their daily recommendation of nutrients. Examples of healthy desserts include healthy cookies, roasted strawberry, yoghurt parfaits, dark chocolate, avocado pudding, bananas, among others. Rukerabigwi says one can get daily nutrition from fruit pies and smoothies, and parfaits which provide valuable amounts of protein and calcium. The daily requirement of calcium is between 1,000 and 1,200 milligrams, and a half-cup serving of chocolate ice cream contains 72 milligrams of this essential mineral. Rene Tabaro, a nutritionist at King Faisal Hospital, says eating healthy dessert makes one strong, and on top of this, a happier and better human being. He explains that foods that have a naturally high percentage of carbohydrates (desserts) help the brain and body produce chemicals (such as serotonin) that contribute to overall emotional well-being. He says that it’s evident that indulging in your favourite dessert alters your mind and body in positive ways. Cravings for sweets are one of the biggest causes of diet failure. When the average adult quits eating dessert altogether, they may see improvement in their short-term fitness goals. Studies have shown that adults who indulge in dessert but eat an otherwise nutritious diet have a greater chance of producing long-term success in weight loss. This is so because the body will respond to small amounts of dessert that satisfy cravings by satiating its own appetite for them. “Balancing everything including healthier eating and regular exercise is more likely to lead to diet success than completely eliminating some foods,” says Tabaro. Also, he mentions that adding berries to a bowl of frozen Greek yoghurt makes an already healthy dessert (rich in protein and healthy fats) into a positively vital meal for your daily fruit intake. Nutritionists note that although it is still important to focus on consuming a well-balanced diet filled with whole grains, vegetables, and protein. Meanwhile, it’s also advised that making your own dessert at home is important as it can help you limit sugar and fat intake. “Making your own dessert at home would mean that one has the option of substituting other unhealthy ingredients such as butter or oil. This would definitely mean that one is reducing the amount of sugar added, and even use healthy additions like nuts,” says Tabaro. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, suddenly decreasing your intake of carbs and sugar deprives your body of the necessary glucose needed for energy. Dieting can actually increase feelings of sluggishness, mental fog, and distraction. Just another reason to salvage those Oreos from the trash. To all the die-hard dessert fans out there, take heart—that cherry pie may just be the best food choice you’ve made all day. Although it is still important to focus on consuming a well-balanced diet, desserts add a little more excitement to your meals, states an article titled ‘5 Surprising Health Benefits Of Desserts’ published by Lifehack.
