Those of you who work at maintaining a healthy weight... what’s your dessert policy?

[Anonymous]

As in, how often do you eat pastries, and how much? Do you cut back on your regular food to compensate?

Note: I’m asking those that aren’t genetically blessed to be able to eat whatever they want and stay slim, but rather those who have to put effort into controlling what they eat.

[Anonymous]

I eat sweet things but almost never pastries. Not worth how many calories they are compared to how full I feel afterward. I eat dessert regularly, but it tends to be a little candy or a lower calorie frozen treat. Frozen, juice-type treats are great- they satisfy my sweet tooth, are pretty low calorie, and generally take some time to eat, with helps with satisfaction.

[Anonymous]

I do one ice cream sandwich a day after dinner. A local ice cream shop that sells low calorie ice cream.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As in, how often do you eat pastries, and how much? Do you cut back on your regular food to compensate?

Note: I’m asking those that aren’t genetically blessed to be able to eat whatever they want and stay slim, but rather those who have to put effort into controlling what they eat.

I eat dessert when I crave it. Maybe that's two nights in a row and then not for three months. I've noticed though, that one or two bites is always enough to satisfy the craving. I just eat the dessert and move on with life.

[Anonymous]

Daily, have sweet tooth, smaller portion, includes higher calories treat like pastries. Yes, cut back on the regular food to compensate as in trying to stay close to my daily calories target

[Anonymous]

I will indulge in dessert for special occasions. Birthdays, holidays, milestones, .... I don’t eat them regularly nor do I buy them unless for special occasion. My kids are baking a lot of goodies nowadays so it’s tempting. I do feel less guilt if I exercised a lot that day or eat a smaller portion.

[Anonymous]

I used to be able to eat whatever I wanted, but after thyroid removal, not anymore. I enjoy a small portion of the occasional dessert, and cut back on my daily calories to do so. I like jellied desserts, so tonight I made a jelly with a little wine and lots of fruit in it. Much lower calorie dessert than a cake or ice cream, and to me, just as good.

[Anonymous]

If I want dessert I eat it. I cut back the calories elsewhere like skipping a different snack or having a smaller dinner.

[Anonymous]

I can't find the willpower to eat small portions of sweets, so I eat none except on special occasions. Then it's ugly for a day, then I'm back to abstaining. I am 53 and have come to accept this is how I am.

[Anonymous]

Every single day.

I grew up in a health nut family where "junk" was very restricted, which led me to shame, hiding, and binging. I was overweight/obese for most of my life.

Now as an adult with my own home and my own food purchases, there is nothing off limits. No banned foods. This helps me realize that the dessert/junk will not be taken away or restricted, and that I can have moderate amounts as much as I want because it will always be there. I don't need to down it all before it gets found out.

I eat lots of fruits and vegetables and exercise daily, but I also have dessert every day. As a result of these moderate, sustainable habits... surprise! I'm also a healthy weight now.

[Anonymous]

I have about 1/4-1/3 cup of dark chocolate espresso beans mid morning every day. No idea how many calories it is

Sometimes I'll have a piece of black licorice here and there or a carmel from the market if I'm shopping.

But a full dessert, not really. I bake cakes and cookies for my kids don't eat them, other than licking the spoon!

[Anonymous]

I tend to eat them early in the day with coffee if I have a craving.

[Anonymous]

I have 2 or 3 Giardelli dark chocolate squares each day. I eat pretty healthy and reasonable portions and also get a good amount of exercise.

[Anonymous]

I have a sweet every day of max 150 calories.

[Anonymous]

Alcohol is a dessert. I am allowed two per day. I am currently not drinking, so I get two desserts per day: usually an ice-cream bar plus some yummy morsel. For me a good piece of chocolate or if I'm hungry an Eggo with real maple syrup.