Why Eating Dessert Could Actually Help You Lose Weight
- Catherine Potter
- Jun 24
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 26
If you’ve been trying to stay healthy this winter but keep craving something sweet and comforting, you’re not alone. The cooler months have a way of stirring up that desire for sticky puddings, warm crumbles, and after-dinner treats. But according to Northern Beaches-based nutritionist Lee Holmes from Supercharged Food, indulging in dessert might not just be okay - it could actually support your health goals, if done right.
“Winter’s a time when we naturally want to slow down, eat warm, nourishing foods, and feel comforted,” says Lee. “And that’s completely normal. The key is to approach food - including dessert - from a place of balance, not restriction.”
Lee explains that completely cutting out sweet foods often backfires, especially in the colder months when we’re indoors more and looking for cosy comforts. Rather than banning dessert, she encourages people to find healthier versions of their favourites and enjoy them mindfully. Think baked apples with cinnamon, a piece of rich dark chocolate after dinner, or a warm quinoa and coconut pudding with stewed fruit.
“When you allow yourself something sweet in a thoughtful way, you’re far less likely to binge or fall off the wagon later,” she says. “It’s about quality over quantity, choosing real ingredients, making it yourself where possible, and truly savouring it.”
And now, science is backing that up. A recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that dieters who included small portions of “treat” foods like cake or burgers as part of their regular, balanced meals lost more weight over the course of a year, and crucially, kept it off the following year, compared to those who avoided those foods entirely. The takeaway? Guilt and restriction don’t equal success. Smart inclusion does.
The benefits go beyond willpower. When you’re eating nutrient-dense meals that are warm, grounding and satisfying, you naturally feel fuller for longer. That makes you less likely to reach for ultra-processed snacks or go searching the pantry late at night. Pair that with a little sweet something that doesn’t spike your blood sugar, and you’ve got a recipe for balance.
“Food is emotional, especially in winter,” Lee says. “So let it be joyful. Let it be nourishing. And let it include a little dessert, if that’s what makes you feel good.”
So instead of trying to “be good” and white-knuckle your way through the chilly season, embrace the slower, more grounded rhythm of winter - and enjoy that dessert without the guilt. Your body, your brain, and your taste buds will thank you.
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