Somehow it seems wrong to eat sweets in the morning, even though it feels so right.
What’s the problem with eating a cookie at 9 a.m.? Why should I wait until I’ve eaten a slice of toast to satisfy my sweet craving?
If you’ve ever felt judged for indulging in something sweet every now and then in the morning, we have some news for you that might interest you.
Sweets for breakfast can help you lose weight
A study led by endocrinologist Prof. Daniela Jakubowicz at Tel Aviv University in Israel found that eating dessert for breakfast can help with weight loss.
The team analyzed 193 people on a calorie-controlled diet. The volunteers ate either a low-carb breakfast or a high-protein, high-carb diet that included a saucy treat like a piece of cake or a doughnut.
The study found that participants who followed the low-carb diet regained their weight after 16 weeks. However, participants who ate something sweet for breakfast lost slightly more weight.
Why is that?
This is not because the treats have any additional nutritional value. The scientists found that those who ate dessert were more likely to stick to their diets more strictly, probably because they looked forward to a sweet treat in the morning.
In addition, the sweet treats in the morning seemed to lower levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin, meaning participants experienced fewer cravings.
In her book The Big Breakfast Diet, Jakubowicz highlights that the hormones that control our appetite, energy and metabolism vary around the clock.
She therefore recommends a protein-rich breakfast with a sweet treat to top it off. However, this should be followed by a smaller lunch and dinner without carbohydrates and sweets.
Studies show a similar trend
Another study examined the effects of postmenopausal women eating 100 g of milk chocolate one hour after waking.
The women in the study, published in the FASEB Journal, lowered their blood sugar levels, burned fat and reduced their waist circumference.
The study also found that eating chocolate in the morning resulted in lower daily cortisol levels. “Lower cortisol levels are associated with lower stress-related appetite, which may partially explain the better calorie compensation,” the study says.
Is it too good to be true?
Mizpah Matus, nutritionist and raw food chef, points out that this type of diet “completely ignores the importance of the nutritional quality of the food.”
In an article for freedieting.com, she claims the diet “promotes unhealthy eating habits that have long-term negative health effects.”
In addition, WebMD points out that blood sugar and insulin levels drop when breakfast is the largest meal of the day, so diabetics should consult their doctor before trying such a meal plan.
The website states: “You may be taking medicines that are most effective at the times of day when most people eat their largest meals. This may cause your blood sugar levels to become dangerously low if you change your meal times.”
Moderation is, as always, the key
“Dessert is part of a celebration, an indulgence and pure pleasure, so if you feel like it later in the day or evening, that’s OK too,” registered dietitian Alissa Rumsey previously told Huffpost.
“You can have dessert any time of the day if you want,” Rumsey said.
“If you listen to your body to help determine what you want to eat and it’s hungry for dessert, then eat dessert! Often times, people limit dessert or sweets during the day even when they’re craving them, which can lead to them not being able to control sweets later in the day.”
