Most of us love dessert, so when we decide to pursue a healthier lifestyle it’s often one of the first things to go. Or, at the very least, you limit yourself to a small serving of dessert on special occasions.

You might have been excited to notice that many food manufacturers are now marketing “high protein” desserts such as cookies and muffins. Perhaps your friend told you about their special “mug cakes” made from protein shake powder. Since they’re high in protein, an important part of your new weight loss diet, you might be thinking that it’s okay to indulge in one of these desserts. But before you do, here are a few things to keep in mind.

It’s all about marketing. Years ago, “fat free” was the marketing slogan du jour. Unfortunately, many health-conscious people fell for the fad, and devoured packages of fat-free cookies and other goodies. The problem was, these items were still high in sugar. But no one checked, because the popular marketing phrase, “fat free” gave off the impression that these desserts were healthy. You might not be shocked to learn that many of these people did not lose weight. Some even gained!

These days, protein is all the rage in the weight loss business – and for good reason, because protein is indeed important. But “high in protein” is not a free pass to eat all you want of an item. It still contains calories, perhaps even a significant amount of sugar, so read labels as carefully as you always do.

Will a substitute really satisfy you? Sometimes, we hear of well-meaning people devouring a few of these “healthy” packaged desserts… and then later, unsatisfied, they go for the real thing. Clearly, you would consume fewer calories if you’d simply indulged in a small portion of your true craving in the first place!  If an item isn’t what you really want, there’s probably no point in indulging in it as a “substitute” for dessert.

It’s still processed. We recommend that you obtain most of your calories from fresh, healthy sources like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, eggs, whole grains, and so on. Packaged products are rarely very healthy, no matter what they claim. So if you do indulge in these snacks, remember to use them as an occasional treat – not a replacement for healthy meals.

For more information on weight loss, protein, and balancing your diet, give us a call. We can help you create an eating plan that satisfies you, while helping you meet your goals.