Why desserts are unhealthy

What is The Mediterranean Diet? Why eating vegetables is good for you Why eating fruit and nuts is good for you Why are cereals and whole grains good for you? What are legumes, and why are they good for you? Why is eating fish good for you?

Which fats and oils are good for you? Are dairy products good for you? Which meats should I not eat? Is drinking alcohol good for you? Is it important to measure your ingredients? Are snacks good for you? How to choose the right portion size Can you lose weight with a smaller plate? Eat healthier by cleaning out your pantry Which oils and fats should I keep in my pantry?

Which oils and fats are good for you - and when should I use them? Which carbohydrates are good for you? What is the best chicken or turkey for you? Which nuts and seeds should I eat?

Is red meat like beef or pork bad or good for you? Is eating dessert good or bad for you? But if you bake your own treats at home, you can substitute healthier oils, remove much of the sugar and toss in healthy additions like nuts. Contact us at letters time. By Markham Heid. Related Stories. Already a print subscriber? Go here to link your subscription. Need help? Visit our Help Center. Dessert doesn't have to be ice cream, chocolate cake or pie. Instead, use dessert to help you get the recommended amount of nutrient-rich foods like fruits and whole grains in your diet.

Basing your desserts on these foods will help you increase your vitamin, mineral and fiber intakes for the day. Bake a cored apple filled with pecans, raisins, oats and a sprinkle of brown sugar, or make a smoothie with low-fat yogurt and fresh fruit for dessert.

Another delicious option is a fruit parfait with low-fat yogurt, granola and fresh fruit. When you are really craving a less-healthy dessert, alter the recipe to make it healthier. Replace up to half of the fat with mashed banana, applesauce or pureed prunes, and cut the sugar by about one-fourth in baked goods and they will still be moist and delicious.

Limit decorative toppings, like frosting, drizzles of caramel, chocolate sauce and whipped cream, since these add a lot of calories. No matter what you eat for dessert, watch your portion size.

The more you eat, the less healthy it is. A small square of dark chocolate can be healthy, because it contains beneficial plant chemicals called flavonoids, but eating a large amount of chocolate isn't healthy because it is high in fat and calories.