Is it healthy to eat sweets after meals? | TheHealthSite.com (2024)

Want to know what's wrong with eating sweets after lunch or dinner? Read on...

Starters main course deserts

This is a pattern of eating meals that we all follow.

Moreover, we even end up saving sweets so that we can relish it after meals and satisfy our sweet tooth. So to know the exact reason behind why one should eat sweets after meals, I asked Naini Setalvad, a renowned dietitian and obesity consultant, Mumbai. But her reply shocked me (and will be you). Here s what she had to say. Also, read about why do we crave sweets?

According to Naini Setalvad, it is not a healthy habit to eat sweets after meals (yes, you read that right) as it will not only add to your overall sugar intake but in the long run, it increases your risk of obesity and other related health conditions. This is because, the food that you eat, especially grains and lentils, which form the major portion of the diet, have sugar in it. Hence, the daily dose of sugar that the body needs is fulfilled by the food that you eat. Hence, eating anything extra or having sweets after meals will spike your blood glucose level. A sudden spike in blood glucose lowers immunity and also increases your risk of suffering from many lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity, kidney disease and heart disease. Also read about are ghee-laden sweets better than oil fried ones?

What is the best time to have sweets?

If not after meals, then the best way to have sweets or sugar is from the natural sources like fruits in summer and dry fruits in winter. And the best time to have them is in between the meals and not after a meal. This is because it will give you an instant energy and also prevents any dip in your blood glucose level. And unlike having sweets after meals, this won t lead to a sudden spike in the sugar level. If you are craving sweets a lot, here's what you should.

I would advise not to have any sweets after meals, if you have had a balanced diet containing sugar, fats, proteins, carbohydrates and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, says Naini. If you have been eating sweets after meals for a long time, then slowly cut down on your sweets and replace it with fruits. The first few days might be difficult as you might experience sweet cravings. But as time passes by, your body will adjust to eating fruits and other healthy options instead of sweets. After a meal , you can have a mixture of fennel seeds, sesames seeds, flax and almonds to help cut down on sugar cravings. You can enjoy these desserts while on a diet, guilt-free.

So think twice before indulging in those delicious gulab jamuns or a plate of hot jalebi with rabdi after having a meal.

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