Archive · 20 May 2025
Study: Dessert Can Help Weight Loss, Curb Food Cravings
Imagine you're trying to lose weight and always want cake!
This study says that having a small piece of cake with your meals might actually help you lose weight and stop you from wanting more cake later.
Scientists found that people who ate small amounts of the foods they craved, like sweets, lost more weight over a year and kept it off.
It seems that if you give yourself a little of what you want, you won't crave it as much.
Also, being consistent with your eating habits helps with this process.
So, eating dessert might not be as bad as you think!
A study suggests including crave foods in a balanced diet may aid weight loss and reduce cravings.
Researchers found eating crave foods with meals helps manage cravings and boosts weight loss.
Participants who included crave foods in their diet lost more weight and maintained it, while cravings remained minimal.
The study involved obese participants aged 18-75 with health conditions.
Consistency and an 'inclusion strategy' are key to managing cravings and weight.
- Who
- Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign studied obese participants.
- What
- A study showing that including small portions of craved foods in a balanced diet can aid in weight loss and reduce cravings.
- When
- Over a 12-month period
- Where
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Why
- To investigate the effects of incorporating crave foods into a diet on weight loss and craving management.
- Research Institution
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Age Range of Participants
- 18-75
- Average Weight Loss (Year 1)
- 7.9%
- Average Weight Loss Maintained (Year 2)
- 6.7%
- Participants Remaining at 12 Months
- 24
- Weight Management Strategy
- Inclusion Strategy