Want to Lose Weight? Eat Some Dessert for Breakfast

Are you trying to lose weight but having a hard time controlling your appetite? Does thinking about eating less make you hungry more?

You may think that this is too good to be true but researchers from Tel Aviv University suggest that eating dessert at breakfast can help you lose weight.

People usually eat dessert after lunch or after supper but ironically based on the study, eating a sweet treat in the morning can make you lose weight.

“The goal of a weight loss diet should be not only weight reduction but also reduction of hunger and cravings, thus helping prevent weight regain,” said Dr. Daniela Jakubowicz of Tel Aviv, Israel.

Their study revealed that those who had a high-calorie breakfast that included sweets lost about 45 lbs in eight months; on the contrary,  participants who were given a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate diet lost only 8 lbs in four months.

Their breakfast was a high-protein meal tuna, egg whites, cheese, and low-fat milk. For dessert, they were asked to choose between a cookie, chocolate, cake, or doughnut.

Initially, both groups – those who didn’t have dessert and those who ate dessert, lost about 33 lbs per person. However, in the last part of the study, those who had no dessert regained 22 lbs. On the other hand, the group who had dessert lost another 15 lbs.

Our body has a hunger-promoting hormone called ghrelin which can be suppressed when we eat a high-calorie breakfast. This makes us less hungry and crave less.

Trying to lose weight can feel overwhelming, but don’t stress too much. Dr. Jakubowicz says, “If you eat what you like, you decrease cravings. The cake — a small piece — is important.” A balanced breakfast, including protein and a small dessert, can help satisfy cravings and support weight loss. Plus, a well-rounded health insurance plan can provide resources for nutrition counseling, weight management programs, and other wellness support, helping you stay on track for long-term success.