4 surprising benefits of eating dessert regularly, from extra nutrients to better social connections

dessert

Credit: Getty

Strong Women


4 surprising benefits of eating dessert regularly, from extra nutrients to better social connections

By Daniella Gray

2 years ago

4 min read

Yep, you really can have your cake and eat it, writes Daniella Gray.


Anyone who knows me can attest to the fact that I have a sweet tooth. I love a dessert. My evening meal doesn’t feel complete without something sweet at the end; I only really feel satisfied once I’ve had pud.

Most nights, I’ll have some dark chocolate, peanut butter-stuffed dates or a cookie and vegan ice cream – all of which are delicious and satiating options.

But in a world where desserts are labelled ‘indulgent’ and framed as an opportunity to derail from a ‘healthy’ diet, it’s no wonder we’ve been fed the idea (if you’ll excuse the pun) that they should be resisted or avoided altogether. 

The reasons for this, says Dr Sunni Patel, a clinician scientist and gut health expert, are threefold: nutritional concerns, cultural influences and diet culture. “The notion of dessert being ‘bad’ has come from the modern-day interpretation of it and the influences that have taken hold of this narrative.

“Societal attitudes toward food that have changed over time, paired with the scandalisation of dessert by the media, have led to a perception that desserts are generally less nutritious and should be consumed in moderation.”

I think we’re all agreed that eating foods high in fat, salt and sugar in excess and over a long period of time will have a negative impact on our health. That being said, there’s no such thing as ‘good’ and ‘bad’ foods, just those that have different levels of nutrients; some of which are supportive of health, some of which are less so.  

“It’s important to include all foods in our diet so we can get a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre to support our health, as well as prebiotics to feed our beneficial bacteria,” says Anoushka Davy, a clinical nutritional therapist and functional medicine coach.

“I eat dessert on a regular basis as I find it marks the end of a meal in a very enjoyable way and gives me a feeling of contentment and satisfaction,” she says. “It helps me to feel full, complete and greatly reduces the need to pick at foods later.” 

I eat dessert on a regular basis… it marks the end of a meal in a very enjoyable way

Anoushka Davy

Benefits of eating dessert regularly

Eating dessert regularly helps to take the power back from diet culture

By practising mindful eating (a beneficial technique to encourage more awareness of the food we’re eating) rather than following a set of rigid rules around food, we can learn to respect our body’s cues and guidance that may have been ignored in the past.

“Allowing yourself to enjoy dessert regularly can help to break free from restrictive eating patterns or a mindset of deprivation,” says Patel. “By giving yourself permission to enjoy the foods you love – including desserts – you take back control from diet culture and promote a healthier relationship with food.”

You could add more nutrients to your diet by eating dessert

Typically, desserts often get a bad rap for their lack of nutrition content, especially if we reach for something sweet like a chocolate bar.

But dessert foods can offer some kind of valuable nutritional benefit, whether it’s a source of protein from nut butter, magnesium from cocoa, or fibre-rich foods, such as popcorn, berries and wholegrains.  

Hand holding bowl of ice cream

Credit: Getty

“Some of my favourite desserts include frozen grapes with dark chocolate, apple crumble, and soya custard and chia pudding,” says Patel. “By choosing desserts that incorporate nutritious ingredients, we can add diversity and extra nutrients to our diet.”

And there’s a reason why sweet foods tend to follow big, savoury meals: insulin. That hormone is released when the body experiences a big sugar intake, which can result in our glucose levels dropping far too quickly: “Our blood sugar levels will be more stable after [eating] a full meal with sufficient protein, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates, so there’ll be much less of a spike,” she confirms. Walking for just 10 minutes after a meal can also help stabilise insulin and blood-sugar levels.

Not eating dessert might be more stressful than trying to avoid it

Part of following a healthy diet is about being at peace with what you eat. Total abstinence rarely works, warns Davy. “Not eating dessert may be stressful if it encourages a sense of restriction and fear around food as this can increase the risk for eating disorders,” she says. 

Sharing dessert is good for your wellbeing

Food is so much more than energy. It’s also the basis for creating memories, embracing a different culture while travelling and spending more time with loved ones. I, especially, love celebrating a friend’s birthday with a slice of cake or sharing some ice cream with my partner while we watch a film.

Sharing food with others boosts our happiness too. New research from the University of Oxford has revealed that the more often people eat with others, the more likely they are to feel happy and satisfied with their lives.  

“Including desserts in your regular diet can contribute to a sense of belonging and community, and strengthen your connection with others,” notes Patel.

It can be easy to forget that the act of eating should be a pleasurable experience. “Regularly enjoying desserts allows you to honour your cravings, adding an element of enjoyment to your meals,” says Patel. Who wouldn’t want that?  


Images: Getty

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