OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - The research firm NDP Group says it found that Americans are eating fewer desserts now than ever before.
KTVU spoke with people in Jack London Square to see if dessert is still on their dinner table - whether at home or at a restaurant.
"I always have a dark chocolate bar at home and I'll take a quick corner of it at least every night," said Annie Tugner, an Oakland realtor.
The appetite for good food and good company at Forge Pizza was apparent on this Friday evening
One group of ladies had planned to have it all with drinks, appetizers and dessert.
"I don't feel like you have to compromise. You don't have to do it in moderation," said Erin Donnelly who's visiting from Bellingham, Washington.
"Sixty percent of the people eat dessert every time," said Caitlin Thorpe, also visiting from Washington State. When asked if she eats desserts she replied, "I don't know. Sometimes, but I really love it. I eat it a lot."
But not according to an annual report on the eating patterns in America. It found that we are not eating desserts like we used to.
It says almost three decades ago, 24 percent of Americans said they ate dessert after dinner. Now, that number has dropped in half. Only 12 percent of people eating at home say they have something sweet after.
"They're a bunch of skinny minnies that don't know what they're talking about," Thorpe said of the study.
At nearby Miette Bakery, business was steady late Friday afternoon.
Two friends drove from San Jose to Oakland, in part to indulge their sweet tooth. "We just had lunch and we came straight here. And have something sweet with our coffee," said Kristen Yasukawa and Joy Lim, both from San Jose.
They bought bite size macaroons, which are the baker's best sellers.
Those with a sweet tooth say desserts are not limited to time of day nor eaten only after a meal.
After biting into a macaroon, Lim told KTVU it was worth the drive to get to the bakery.
The study says millennials are less likely to have dessert than other age groups, and that nine in ten don't eat dessert.
"No. I'm all for desserts. That's so weird to hear that. Desserts are my life," said Jessica Academia of San Leandro.
A manager at Miette Bakery, Julio Guzman, says the only drop off happens in January because of New Year resolutions.
"People trying to eat healthier or just trying to cut back on sugar or lose weight," said Guzman.
The new study suggests that desserts may eventually disappear from the dinner table.
The executive chef at Forge Pizza says that's not happening at his restaurant. "It would be like eliminating a co*cktail or a beer. It's never going to go away. It's part of the celebration of why you go out," said Jeff Amber.
The study says the drop off in people eating dessert has nothing to do with nutritional concern.
It says Americans are snacking more than ever and it's not healthy snacks they're eating.
The study's author says Americans are now into one course meals and don't want to bother with dessert; that people may be getting lazy or cheap.
