1. Desserts are packed with nutrients.
There’s a reason why your body craves certain delicious
desserts. Low carbohydrates diets often overlook the fact that carbohydrates are an
essential nutrient for the body. While desserts may not be the healthiest form
of carbohydrates, the right indulgences can fuel your body and mind.
Plus, sweets such as pumpkin pie or dark chocolate contain
rich sources of whole foods that provide necessary vitamins, fiber, and
antioxidants to your diet.
2. Desserts make you happier…no, really!
Have you ever taken a bite of your favorite dessert and felt
instantly transported to a higher level of happiness? That feeling is real.
According to The Nest, foods that have a naturally high
percentage of carbohydrates help the brain and body produce chemicals (such as
serotonin) that contribute to overall emotional well-being.
Indulging in your favorite dessert alters your mind and body
in positive ways. Take full advantage of this scientific process by allowing
yourself to enjoy your favorite sweet treat without that extra side of guilt.
You really are doing something good for your body!
3. Eating dessert can actually improve your weight control.
Cravings for sweets are one of the biggest causes of diet
failure. When the average adult quits eating desserts all together, they may
see improvement in their short term fitness goals.
However, 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 true because the body will respond to
small amounts of desserts that satisfy cravings by satiating its own appetite
for them.
Choosing to stop consuming sweets altogether in the hopes of
achieving a weight loss goal will almost always lead to binge eating and over
consumption when you finally do indulge. Balancing your indulgences with
healthier eating and regular exercise is more likely to lead to diet success
than completely eliminating them.
4. Desserts offer a convenient opportunity to incorporate more fruit into your diet.
Fruit, as we all know by now, is an essential part of your
daily intake of nutrients that keep you healthy, strong, and immune to certain
diseases. Unfortunately, you may not be getting the necessary dose of these
powerful food options.
Adding raspberries and blueberries to a bowl of frozen and
yogurt makes an already healthy dessert (rich in protein and healthy fats) into
a positively vital meal for your daily fruit intake. Don’t be afraid to get
creative; from chocolate-covered strawberries to vanilla and mango smoothies,
the options are all scrumptious and endless.
5. Desserts can remedy the negative side effects of dieting.
Ever wonder why they serve jello or chocolate pudding to
hospital patients? When patients lose their appetite due to illness, it is
easier and more enjoyable to consume sugary, low-nutrient carbohydrates than
any other type of food.
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 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 filled with whole
grains, vegetables, and protein, desserts add a little more excitement to your
meals.
And besides making you happier, desserts can also sometimes
make you healthier.
No comments:
Post a Comment