Is Dessert Really Bad?

Dessert is the last part of the meal, eaten after lunch or dinner. Some would say that it is the most anticipated part of the meal. Sweets easily come to mind - sugar, sugar, sugar! There is candied, baked, frozen, fried and chilled, but however way it is prepared, a meal will not be complete without even a bite or two. Sweet tooth on the loose.

Desserts were already served during the early civilizations, using fruits and nuts rolled into honey. But it was not until the middle ages when manufacturing of sugar started, that we started enjoying more sweets. And that was when the word “sin” got associated with dessert.

Why desserts are considered sinful? Not the dessert itself, but the sugar in it. Medically speaking, because of sugar’s sticky substance, it is said to leave a sticky trace in the bloodstream, which will later stick to the cells. Overindulgence causes inflammation of the skin, resulting to more wrinkles, and dry brittle hair and nails. When over exposed to sugar, the insulin levels raise so quickly, which could result to detrimental health problems. The most common disease is the diabetes, which can also cause heart disease and stroke.

Desserts are supposed to just satisfy our taste buds, right? So instead of getting that rich, moist chocolate cake or the creamy ice cream, why won’t you try a fresh fruit platter or a glass of fruit shake? And a few more alte
atives: use low-fat whipping cream when adding topping to your fruits, yogurt instead of ice cream, honey instead of the granulated sugar, whole wheat instead of white bread. And yes, it pays to read the nutritional facts on the label. But if you find yourself guilty after a heavenly dessert, burn the calories down. Go for a walk. So the next time you lunge yourself into the dessert table, consider measuring the sugar count on those tempting display in front of you.

And if you are still asking yourself if dessert is bad for you, the answer is no. It is all about knowing how much of anything you can take in.