* This is a guest post by Alvina Lopez
If you are one of those people who can enjoy cheesecake made of Splenda and egg whites, then more power to you. There are a variety of recipes substituting sugar, chocolate, and flour for healthier ingredients.
For some of us, those substitutes just don’t cut it. I am one of those people, and I can’t say I enjoy sugar-free products or gluten-free cakes and cookies. They may have fewer calories, but most people (including me) have to eat about ten more cookies just to feel somewhat satisfied.
What if instead, we ate- GASP one real chocolate chip cookie instead of ten gluten free ones? The consequences/results: You may lose a few pounds. This may sound surprising, but in actuality, losing weight or maintaining your weight does should not require deprivation and misery.
All you need to practice is a bit of self-control. It may take a while for you to get used to exercising portion control when it comes to delicious desserts. However, once you have the strategy down, you will eat smaller portions without much thought!
Here some issues to consider when you are about to eat dessert. When it comes to weight issues, you should always tell yourself: Mind over body!
Chocolate Cake: Consider Your Calorie Intake for the Whole Day
You feel a chill down your spine: another birthday cake in the office. It seems like there is always some reason to celebrate in the workplace. Doesn’t anyone actually WORK anymore? The truth is you don’t have to fret every time there are desserts at your office or even in your home. Instead, you should do a simple version of a cost-benefit analysis.
For example, think of what you’ve eaten over the course of the day. Did you eat a whole plate of tacos and French fries for lunch? Then you should probably have just a bite or two of that birthday cake. However, if you had a salad for lunch and probably won’t have a very large dinner, treat yourself to a piece of cake! Either way, at least have a bite. If you deprive yourself for too long, you will end up eating the whole cake when no one is looking.
More is Not Always Better
This is probably the most important rule of thumb to remember. Just because one cookie tastes delicious doesn’t warrant you eating another nine of them. Eat slowly, enjoy yourself, and STOP after one or (at most) two cookies/pieces of cake/pie.
Stress Eating: A Definite Path to Weight Gain
People often turn to desserts when they are stressed at home or in the workplace. This is because carbohydrates provide you with extra energy and release certain hormones into your body, like serotonin. It is important to find other ways to control your stress. Go to the gym, walk around your neighborhood, or have a cup of coffee with a friend!
By-line:
Alvina Lopez is a freelance writer and blog junkie, who blogs about accredited online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alvina.lopez @gmail.com.
Image by MarcelGermain
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I love these candies, they look amazing! Great guest post! I love all the comparisons great read! Loving the read.. hope you have a great weekend… great to have you back xoxo!
claudia lamascolo would love you to read..Curts Lemon Reggiano Lemon Fried Chicken Guest Post
I whole heartedly agree. Give me the really stuff any day.
Barbara would love you to read..Puff Pastry Maple Bars
Great points…not sure I could ever resist a genuine chocolate piece (not some faux-thing)!
Belinda would love you to read..In the Cellar- Photo of the Day
You speak the truth, right now I would love to have a few of those chocolates at the top of the post.
Rita
Twitter: kathy
Very nice post Alvina. You have made great points. I especially like the one about stress eating. I know many who do eats this way have struggles with weight gain. The ups and downs in sugar levels and weight are certainly not healthy.
Eating anything you like with restraint, as you pointed out, is the right choice I do believe. Substitute sweeteners and other chemicals I think are far worse for us than refined sugars!
redkathy would love you to read..Easy Grill Roasted Rosemary Potato Medley
A great article! So true. I never dprive myself of food…
Cheers,
Rosa
Twitter: applecrumbles
To each his/her own. I don’t mind Splenda and I won’t eat egg yolks. Since I’m not a sugar junky (although I love to bake), guess I don’t think I’m missing anything.
I agree that some of the specialty diet recipes (gluten free, etc.) can taste bad and the texture is questionable, but there are some REALLY GOOD specialty diet recipes as well. Maybe more taste testing is in order.
Joanne would love you to read..CEimB- Asian Noodle Bowl and Brown Rice Salad
I think stress eating is one of the worst things anyone can do, I think it sits up there with boredom eating, sitting around with nothing to do and you start munching on crisps, biscuits etc, hmm a major no no
Slappy would love you to read..Are You Prepared For The Prince William and Kate Middleton Royal Wedding
Twitter: CoachNotesBlog
Hi Alvina,
You are quite right! Self-control and moderation are the keys to managing numerous life situations, so diet and eating habits fit right in.
I’m with you … I’d much rather have the real thing!
Vernessa Taylor would love you to read..7 Secrets Revealed By Those Imperfect Stats
This is all very true. Eat in moderation, and you can eat whatever you want.
The Duo Dishes would love you to read..Ralphie’s Test Kitchen
Great article! I am not fond of substitutes and the only solution is indeed moderation.
I recently just learned how to limit my sweets intake..LOL!
Great Post. Adoro chocolates.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Hi Gera:
What a wonderful guest post you have here. The pictures are so good, I felt like eating one piece.
Alvina Lopez, have done a great job of tempting to eat the real thing and not the egg white and artificial sweetner .
Good post.
Fran A
Fran the Online Writer would love you to read..101 Blog Topics
This is my first time visit to the site using 140 blogs worth hoping ebook by Brankica from live your love.
I knew it was a techy site (at least in part) and so I started reading your post expecting the analogy of food to tie in somewhere down the line with SEO, or wordpress, ort social media…or…
Alas, I got to the end before I even noticed that the post was in fact about food. lol
A testament to superb writing I suppose and a universality of the topic. Nice work
Dino Dogan would love you to read..3 Fears That Move People Into Action and Product Out the Door
Twitter: sweetsfoods
Hi Dino,
You just arrived when I posted a guest post exclusively of food LOL.
You’re right this is a social blog – love social media – more blogging topics sometimes with a tech profile AND food connections, bizarre combo, isn’t it? As a techie more foodie, both topics appears frequently here. And of course I like analogies between them.
Thanks for coming by! and to know, now, that I was included on the Brankica’s e-book – I didn’t know it (I was in the middle of the transition to WP when it was released and near working in backstage)
I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said! But honestly stopping with just a bite or two is hard for me – I have an all or nothing mentality that I am working very hard to change.
Reeni would love you to read..Peanut Butter and Jelly Cereal Bars
Thanks for your comment! It may be difficult at first, but it is a learning process! Once you get used to smaller portions, you will never binge again! Keep at it. Best of luck.
-Alvina
Alvina Lopez would love you to read..Sweet Foods- Practice Self-Control not Self-Deprivation
I am in total agreement – I just took off 25 pounds this year (15 more to go)with “mindful eating.” If I deprived myself – I might feel the need to go crazy when I had a blip in my day (I always have blips in my days). I am learning portion control. Finally.
Claudia would love you to read..Pizza Rustica
Twitter: sanjeetakk
Agree to each and every statement refereed to in the post..I look out for sugar/butter substitutes for all my bakes and never frost my cakes unless the occasion demands. Lovely article.
Sanjeeta kk would love you to read..Garlic Focaccia – A Scrumptious Bread with Grape Tomatoes and Herbs
Stopping in with from Ask Ms Recipe. I’ve got a food linky on Marvelous Menu for you to link so we can visit each other. It’s posted on Monday, no need for menu anything food related is okay.
Until Next time,
Nina
Excellent points here for sure. Thanks for sharing this!
5 Star Foodie would love you to read..5 Star Makeover- White Asparagus Roundup
Hello readers,
I am glad to hear you enjoyed the post! Thanks for reading it! Always remember, moderation is key. For those of you who say it is difficult to stop eating dessert once you start, it will get EASIER. At first, eating half a slice of chocolate cake may be difficult (rather than the whole slice). However, after a few times, it will become the norm for you! Still, never deprive yourself. Food is one of the greatest gifts we have! Bon Apetit.
Alvina Lopez would love you to read..Sweet Foods- Practice Self-Control not Self-Deprivation
My stress level is generally quite high, has been my entire life including the bulk of my childhood. I’m not surprised what I’ve always struggled with my weight as well but depriving me of something is also a sure fire way to make me eat more of it later.
The Chocolate Priestess would love you to read..Old Fashioned Candy Shop in Martinsville- Indiana
I practice moderation all the time…well, maybe, Sundays, I do tend to misbehave a little
Interesting post…thanks for your dedication on keeping us in check.
Flavourful wishes,
Claudia
FOODESSA would love you to read..PUFF choux PASTRY ricotta cream ZEPPOLE style
Great points but not sure I could ever resist a genuine chocolate piece. But I think that moderation is key of a good health.
Everything in moderation – mom really did know best.
OysterCulture would love you to read..Tropical Fever – the Appeal of Tiki Bars
Control is the key, and i agree with you on that, eating one good portion of whatever tasty food you have is loads better than eating a whole lot of stuff that won’t make you feel any fuller even if your stomach has gone over the limit.
Portion control really helps, one just need to put it into practice. It is a method where one does not have to go starving, rather enjoy a bit of everything that you want, works for me all the time. Unless one go greedy, this will work for anyone.
Stress, pain, sadness or even depression should not end up being a reason to over eating, because for many, it does became that. Good tips about finding an alternative to occupy yourself, better exercising then over eating.
Uttoran Sen would love you to read..10 Tips To Overcome Depression
Looking at the picture makes me crave for more chocolates! arrrgh!!! I really love eating chocolates though it’s not good for my diet with my workouts
I love chocolates. Thanks for the tips. I enjoyed your blog. Great post!
Well this is good advice. Portion control is key but also having a life worth living, which includes sweets and junkfood sometimes, is a must. It’s all in the balance.
Stevie would love you to read..broiled corvina in charmoula marinade
I really think you should enjoy a snack every other day if you want to. As long as you balance it with exercise and 3 to 4 balanced meals. I don’t see the problem. Now, I said a snack hear and there, meaning a smallllll scoop of ice cream or one oreo cookies, not 15.
Yummmm to that photo. In just seeing and feeling the good feelings that photo just brought me is said to be enough satisfaction to ones mind. The smell of fresh coffee or the homey smell of freshly baked pie and/or bread…again is said to satisfy ones taste-buds. To fall into the prison of the see-food diet, meaning eat everything that you see is such a horrible trap. This trap also leads to the comfort zone eating habit. How much do we really need to eat….or are we once again fooled by media’s advertisements and idealism’s?
Food for thought
As a girl with a total sweet tooth, this article is really helpful for me because for so long I have tried to deprive myself – but like you, I just end up eating MORE of the “good for you” desserts to stay satisfied so I still end up unhappy… As does my waistline. I think if I follow these tips, though, I can keep it in check! What’s your favorite dessert?
I think my previous comment has been rejected. I try again.
I thanked you for great post. I can’t stop eating chocolate and it will never change, i guess.
This was a very good read. Allowing yourself to fall off the wagon sometimes is good. Besides who wants to wait for a cheat day? Life is about striking a balance.
So true! I have never been able to find any comfort in the artificial flavors. I always take a bite or two of every cake brought in the office and it is pretty easy for me to stop from over eating. Unlike past, I now have control over my desserts consumption.
I have to admit that i’m addicted to chocolates and i have just eaten a box of chocolates on my own, just because i saw this delicious photo.
I’m with Lana up there – I have SUCH a sweet tooth! I’m glad there are ways to get around it, or at least to live with it and not feel so bad after eating a piece of cake or candy. Thanks!!
Research studies have suggested that artificial sweeteners such as Splenda can actually contribute to weight gain. Of course the higher the chocolate content, the better. Most candies, cookies, desserts and cakes are loaded with sugar, choosing ones with a higher chocolate content and lower sugar content is healthier and also reduces cravings.
There are a lot of research studies in different countries that excessive eating of sweet foods can weight gain and have the big chance to prone into Diabetes which the best man killer disease. We have to eat less sweets for better and long life.
Kate would love you to read..Abs Diet Recipes
It takes some time to get use to but you can actually loose weight eating sweet foods. Substitutes are good and also like your point about daily caloric intake. If you have some sweets just take in less calories on your next meal.
I agree with the stress eating. My brother used to have one small pack of chocolate in his office then eat almost half of its content. Being diabetic runs in our family so I’m really concern of his health, that’s why I reminded him to watch out of his habit. I’m glad he listened to me and just happy to eat at least one piece each time.
Maria Pavel would love you to read..Pass the CNA Test
I’m glad I found this article, not only do I LOVE food (that’s what one of my blogs is about- whenever I eventually get it up and running!). But I am also a huge stress eater. Food is so comforting to me and even if I’m having a terrible day and nothing seems to be going right, food temporarily eases my pain… the problem is it’s only temporary and then I regret it later or the next day when I can see it on my thighs. Lol. But I’ve been trying very hard over the past few months to practice moderation, I definitely have my slips but I’m working on it!
Hi Gera I agree with you “More is Not Always Better” this is true!
Thanks for this great post
Dean would love you to read..Learning What Is Advantages of CNA Online Classes