What is Helium

Truth or fiction: Dessert is bad for you

Results so far:

Truth		17%	23 votes	Total: 136 votes
Fiction		83%	113 votes	Total: 136 votes

Truth

1 of 2

I don't know why desserts have ever been invented, but it's probably something that's left from times or population groups where they had enough money and no knowledge about nutrition. Desserts are almost always filled with fat and sugar and have no nutritional value whatsoever. In countries where obesity is becoming a very serious problem we could all do without these extra empty calories. So unless your dessert is fresh fruit, desserts are bad for you.

Why are people eating desserts? That's a good question and to be honest, I don't know the answer, else than that it must make up for a main meal that's not very tasty. So instead of serving desserts it would be much better to cook such nice main meals that everyone wants more of that and skip a sweet dessert. That's exactly what my husband and I do and that's something we both did already before we got married. We both love vegetables and other healthy foods and so we eat so much of those that we really don't feel for dessert anymore.

All foods that contain a lot of calories and no nutrition are by definition bad for you. That goes for most snacks, soda drinks and also for desserts. So skip them or take an apple. And if you have young children, simply don't even start giving them dessert. Then they won't even know that it exists and they won't get used to it.

Learn more about this author, Rixta Francis.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Fiction

1 of 7

by Linda Ann Nickerson

SHOULD WE DESERT DESSERT?

A genetic predisposition mandates my position on this subject. Thus, I feel strongly enough to begin the discussion with a rhyme, if readers will indulge me.

As children of all ages,
We eat our meals in stages,
Ever always, on alert,
Looking for our just dessert.

Eating green peas, carrots, corn,
Waiting with a look forlorn,
Seeking something sweet to follow,
As reluctantly, we swallow.

If I eat what's on my plate,
Will you bring me something great?
Broccoli and cauliflower,
Give me chocolate to devour!

The best in life is worth the wait,
Although I just may hesitate,
I'll eat the vegetables accursed,
Or better yet, eat dessert first!

Dessert is absolutely, positively, most definitely not bad for you at all! In fact, it may be the all-time best dietary motivator the world has ever known! (Ask any parent, if you need more convincing.)

"What's for dessert?" a child asks. Heck, even grownups might make such an inquiry.

Think about it! If you eat your whole dinner, do you deserve your dessert? Does that mean you will get your just desserts? If so, maybe dessert is not all bad, after all!

Throughout the history of mankind, parents have bribed their offspring to eat their vegetables and other but highly nutritious, but less desirable, food items by offering something sweet to follow. Is this wrong?

Have we created more than just a sweet tooth by making desserts something kids feel that they automatically deserve? Have we elevated sweets to an enticing reward-like status? Is this wrong?

What parents have not asked themselves such questions?

Certainly, a steady diet of sugary confections and chocolate bars is healthful for no one. However, what may be the harm in a moderate morsel or two, so long as it follows a nutritious repast?

Age-old wisdom still holds fast: anything may be permissible in moderation. Of course, excessive consumption of nearly any food may lead to danger of one kind or another. Too much sugar, salt, starch or even vitamins can become toxic.

Common-sense guidelines may be our best rule after all. If we use our heads, rather than the sweet spots on our tongues, we will seek a balanced and healthy diet. Aiming for good nutrition, we can sample all the recommended food groups each day. We can consume the appropriate amounts of each. We can supplement our diets with vitamins and minerals.

Having done all this, don't we really deserve a little dessert?

If you don't agree, then you can keep me company, while I eat mine. Perhaps we'll set out a few extra spoons, just in case.

Learn more about this author, Linda Ann Nickerson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.