Dessert makes the end of any lunch or dinner extra sweet—literally. While assorted cakes, pies, and other delectable confections have been banished from many fad diets, there are a variety of health-related reasons why dessert can be part of a balanced meal plan. Below are a few of the best benefits to keep in mind.

4 Reasons to Treat Yourself With Dessert

1. Satisfy Cravings

Order your favorite dessert and savor it, because indulging in a sweet treat after lunch or dinner satisfies your cravings. This will stop you from feeling deprived and binging later on. Since consuming dessert in moderation curbs those deprivation feelings, it can help you stick to dietary goals.

2. Increase Your Activity Level

Let dessert motivate you to move more. The decision to have something sweet gives you an incentive to burn it off, such as taking a post-dinner walk, adding 10 or 15 minutes to your morning workout, or hitting the gym after lunch. Use dessert as an excuse to exercise and enjoy the physical, mental, and emotional benefits working out provides, including more energy and better moods.

3. Improves Your Nutrient Intake 

Look for healthier desserts, such as oatmeal pie or sour cream apple pie, to add extra nutrients to your diet. Not only will you fuel your body with carbohydrates, but you’ll also enjoy assorted vitamins and minerals depending on what you order. Oatmeal, for example, contains antioxidants that protect against heart disease. It’s also a good source of fiber, protein, and healthy fats.

4. Boosts Happiness 

Carbohydrates release serotonin, among other feel-good chemicals, to the brain to help you feel happy and positive. Forget feeling guilty about ordering dessert next time you’re out to lunch or dinner, and relish the mood boost that follows. 

Oatmeal pies, brownie sundaes, and pecan pies are just a few of the delicious desserts waiting for you at Lee’s Chicken Restaurant. The homestyle restaurant in Lincoln, NE, has served fried chicken and other comfort foods since 1945, making them one of the oldest establishments in the city. Reserve a table for lunch or dinner today by calling (402) 477-4339 or review the menu online. Get the latest restaurant news on Facebook.