Diet experts are always warning us about desserts and it's true the calories in some of puddings seem to make a direct beeline for your hips. Yet it feels pretty miserable to give up the delights of dessert for good even if you decide you no longer want to make dessert a daily habit.

So, here are a few tips about dealing with dessert without it wrecking your weight loss efforts.

1. Keep it for special occasions

If you eat enough to satisfy your appetite without feeling stuffed at each meal, chances are that you have no room for dessert and any dessert calories (whether they are calories from healthy fruit, low fat yogurt or double chocolate cheesecake) are calories in excess that will indeed swiftly turn to fat.

But that only matters if you are making a habit of dessert and are overeating on a regular basis. If you eat dessert once a week then I wouldn't even bat an eyelid - though make sure you limit the damage by following some of the other strategies here.

2. Have a Lighter Main Course

On dessert days, have a lighter main course to give yourself some calorie room. If you would like a dessert make your main course a salad with some lean protein and a few whole grain carbohydrates or eat a filling bowl soup before your sweet treat.

3. Limit the Portion Size

Take a look at the suggested serving size on the recipe or on the packaging and don't eat more because for most desserts every spoonful adds another 100 calories you don't really need.

4. Three Bites

If you know you want dessert but you've already eaten too much just take 3 bites and enjoy the taste then get rid of the rest. Often that is enough to satisfy when you are already full and more would make you feel a bit sick. If possible serve yourself no more than 3 bites in the first place or order a single dessert and share with a friend or two.

5. Buy in Single Portions

Yes I know tiny tubs of ice cream and individually wrapped slices of cake are a lot more expensive ounce for ounce than buying a gallon tub or a whole cake but they are not if that is all you are going to eat (and it's a lot less expensive on your figure). The only exception? If you have a large family and it is they who will be eating the remainder and not you (and be honest with yourself here!)

6. Off the table

Never, ever, ever put the serving bowl or plate with the remainder of the dessert on the table - get it in the cupboard, fridge or freezer and out of sight. In fact, if it's appropriate to the food, freezing any excess before you are tempted is a great idea.

7. Choose Luxury Real food

If you are having a dessert less often and eating in smaller amounts, choose the very best available. For example treat yourself to the dessert made with pure cream and Belgian chocolate - not the synthetic low-fat chemical sweetener rubbish which many supermarkets sell. Go for the real thing, eat as slowly as you can with a small spoon and enjoy every second as it melts in your mouth.  

8. If You Must

If dinner doesn't feel like dinner without dessert then you have got a habit that is not so healthy but it doesn't have to be too damaging if you rethink what dessert is. If you feel cheated by fruit or low fat yogurt then you can still satisfy your sweet tooth with something less than a full dessert - decide that dessert will be a small chocolate bar such as a Kitkat at 107 calories, a single small cookie or maybe just a cup of delicious coffee with a wafer thin dark chocolate mint rather than a 700 calorie piece of chocolate cake.


Copyright 2007, Janice Elizabeth Small

 

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